National Pet Memorial Day

It's so important to recognize that everyone experiences loss in a different way and that it's ok for us to acknowledge our love for our companions and the grief we feel when a "pet" passes on.

For some of us, these are not pets, they are special members of our family, and many times they are our "kids".

Even those who are not animal lovers can show support for a friend or co-worker who loses a pet by simply giving a sympathy card or telling us "I'm sorry for the loss your dog." You may never realize how thoughtful and special we will think this gesture is.

• write a poem, story, or song about and/or dedicated to your pet
• write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with, tell them how much you miss them, or thank them for the wonderful memories you have
• share photographs and stories with family or friends; remembering the special times, the love and joy they brought us
• visit their burial site, hold a remembrance ceremony with family and friends
• create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flowergarden
• create an online memorial, whether it be on a pet memorial website, blog or Squidoo lens. I created a Squidoo lens for my precious Ruger who we still miss very much
• explore the Internet for pet memorial sites with inspiring stories of love and devotion between people and their companions
• make a personalized magazine cover for your pet, a great way to catalog the fond memories of the times shared using pictures, and great headlines to share with everyone
• use this day to volunteer at your local animal shelter or a rescue group
• use this day to make a donation in memory of your companion to a local animal charity, shelter or rescue group

Dear God

It's been two years since you have brought my precious Ruger up to you, and I still miss her so much. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her, that I feel an ache in my heart knowing she is missing from my life. She was such a happy puppy and we shared much love and happiness for almost thirteen years, and for that I am thankful.

I know I'm getting better as the years go by, I don't sleep with a pillow against my leg anymore. You knew I did this because the feel and warmth of the pillow felt like her leaning against me. She always slept on the bed of course, stretched out against my legs. It sure was a little hot in the summer, but I never cared.

Each summer, when the grasshoppers are flying around the lawn, I think of her too, how she used to love to play with them. Chasing them all over the yard and then after when she tired, she ate them. Rick and I kept telling her she would have no friends left if she kept eating them. I almost think that was her favourite game and it was great exercise for her, although it didn't do much for her breath!

And whenever the blackbirds came in to raid our bird feeders, I remember her proficient guarding skills. We had quite a few feeders in the backyard and it used to irritate me when the blackbirds would swarm in and clean all the seed out. I know they have to eat too, but they left nothing for all my other birds. So we trained Ruger to recognize the difference between our song birds and the black birds. It was always so funny to watch her go flying to the screen door growling and barking at the blackbirds and seeing them all take off. She never once barked at any of the other birds. Of course, she always got a "good girl!" and the proud look on her face knowing she made mommy happy was priceless.

And in the winter, during those big snow falls, she used to love to go out with her Daddy and catch the snow balls he threw for her. When she got tired and a little warm, she would go and wash her face in the snow. I miss looking out and seeing all her tracks in the fresh fallen snow.

She always had to have a pillow under her head, no matter if she was sleeping up on the bed, on the couch, or on the floor. Yes, once in a while, she actually did sleep on the floor. I swear, I never saw her once having a nap without a pillow. It was so cute. I still have all her pillows and they still make me smile and I remember her fondly.

Thank you God for welcoming her so gently and so lovingly into your home and please tell her that her mommy and daddy miss their little girl.

Love,

Ruger's Mom and Dad

My Tribute to Ruger Video is below.

This video was made with much love by my very dear friend Frank.

They come into our lives for such a short time
A time we wouldn't trade not even for a dime
Then before you know it the years have flown by
And then all of the sudden we're saying good-bye

It wasn't that long ago we said our good-byes
We held on to you tight as you closed your eyes
Your spirit has flown home on the wings of a dove
Into God's loving arm's; in heaven above

Over the days we've shed many tears
But the memories we have will live on for years
We feel your presence and we know that your near
You're keeping us safe and calming our fear

We think about memories from years past
When you were young and strong and ran so fast
We remember all the great times that we all had
How you always made us happy never made us mad

They were the best and happiest years we had
We'll always look back on them and never be sad
We look forward to the time we'll be together again
And we thank the Lord for such a great friend

Now you run and play up in Heaven above
Cradled in God's arms covered with his love
Playing by the Bridge waiting for the day
We come down thru the meadow to the bridge to stay

The love that you showed us we'll never forget
Because to us you're one very special pet
You're like a star in the dark of night
Always watching over us with the Lord's light

So now we take time to remember our best friend
Who will always be with us even to the end
We'll always remember you the way you were
One big lovable huggable pile of fur

~~~ John Quealy ~~~

This is my third LOTD, but I am truly honored for this one, thank you so much to all my Squidoo friends!

This is a special day that is very close to my heart.

Squidhugs from Kathy