The right words can provide solace and comfort to a person dealing with the loss of someone he or she holds dear. We have gathered a number of writings, both poetry and prose, that may be a help to someone who has lost a pet.

Few things in life are as painful as the loss of a loved one. Many people think of “loved one” in the human sense - a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, or close friend. For a pet owner the term has a wider meaning. When you love animals, a loved one can be any creature that shares your life and love. For many people, a pet is an integral part of their lives; there through good times and bad, never judging, never complaining, never critical; ready to enjoy the good times with you, and comfort you during the bad times. During times of personal turmoil - the death of a loved one, a failed relationship, loss of a job, personal illness - the one constant, true friend is often the pet who asks nothing and wants only to love you.

A few years ago, when we first began publishing Critter Chatter, we received a telephone call from a young woman named Donna, requesting a personalized copy of the “ Rainbow Bridge” for her dog Casper, who had recently died. While taking the information we needed, I asked how she was coping, and she answered that she just felt weary all the time, just tired and sad. We had recently lost a dog, Paddy, who was about the same age as Casper, and that was the way I felt when Paddy died. We talked for awhile, and afterward I started to write her a note to include with her “ Rainbow Bridge” when it was ready. The note grew into two pages, as much for me, I suppose, as it was for Donna.

From “The Once Again Prince” by Irving Townsend