" Nittany " Sept. 10 1987 ------- May 23 1998
Boxer
For my beautiful Nittany until we meet
again at the Rainbow Bridge.
Love Mommy
A Meditation for the End of Your Pet's Life
(excerpt from Surviving the Heartache of Choosing Death for your pet)
Start by sitting quietly and taking a few deep breaths...let yourself
feel comfortable and relaxed...
And now imagine that you are walking down a shady tree-lined path that
leads to a large building off in the distance. As you approach the
building you realize it is a library a very special kind of library.
The books in this library contain the life of every pet who has ever been
given the mission of living a lifetime with a human.
In this library you will find a book with your pet's name embossed
in gold on the front cover.
You enter the library and search through the shelves of books until you
find your pet's lifebook. You open the cover and on the first page you
see pictures of your pet from the first instant she came into your
life...just the way she looked the first time you saw her how she
responded to you and how you felt...do you remember?
What was that like when you were getting to know each other? And finding
activities you could share..what things did you have fun doing together?
Take some time to remember.
You turn the pages and there your pet is a little older and still so
beautiful. In you mind's eye picture just how your pet looked
when she was at her best.
Remember how your pet communicated with you.
What sounds did your pet make when she was happy?..
when she was sad?
What did you especially like about your pet's unique personality?
What special or funny things did she do?
Remember what you did to care for your pet. What were her favorite
foods? Her special toys? Any special clothing? See if there are
pictures of you caring for your pet in her lifebook.
How did your pet care for you? What did she teach you? Are there
pictures of your pet caring for you comforting you listening to you,
kissing you being there for you when no one else was?...
Take time and remember.
The pictures in your pet's lifebook continue on through all the years you
and your pet have had together everything you did: the funny times the
hard times all the things you shared...until now the
ending of your pet's life.
Allow yourself to feel the happiness and magic you two have shared and
allow yourself to feel the sadness now as your pet's life
draws to its close.
You turn the page and there are no more pictures just some writing.
Your animal friend has written to you as her life is ending.
Dear Human Friend,
"I want you to understand that I have lived my life and it is now
drawing to its close. My life span is shorter than a humans. I am sad
about that reality. But I accept it and want you to accept it. I hope
you can let go and give me permission to die as I approach the end of my
life. Whether you choose euthanasia to end my suffering or let death
come at it's own time I want you to know that an animal does not fear
death as some humans do. Death is a natural event which I accept.
I have held on to my life as long as possible because of my worry about
how you will get along without me. But because you have learned to care
so well for me I have faith that you will find a way to care for
yourself when my physical presence is no longer there to comfort you. I
know that my spirit and memory of our few brief years together will
remain with you to strengthen you in the hard times that are ahead when
the two of us must part.
I want you to share this final experience with me to the extent that you
can let yourself. I don't ask for a longer life or a medical miracle.
I know when you do the medical tests and treatments you do them to keep
me with you. So I put up with them - to stay with you longer. But I
could do without all the medical fuss. All I really want as I am dying,
is for you to be with me and lovingly comfort me. That is one of the
last pictures I want in this lifebook - the two of us sharing this final
experience as I prepare to go to the land of the spirit at Rainbow Bridge
where I will wait for you.
I want you to find companionship to fill the time we two have always
spent together. We both know another pet will never measure up to me.
But I understand your need for an animal companion. So in time I will
send another animal friend who needs your love and care and a new
lifebook will be started...But not just yet. For now seek out human
friends. Connect with the best in these humans as you share your grief
with those who understand what it is like for one left behind after the
death of a pet.
I have left the final page of this lifebook empty for a picture of you,
my beloved owner. I will have accomplished my mission if that final
picture shows you taking care of yourself as well as you have always
cared for me. Remember me and celebrate my life and our lives together.
But do not cling to the past. Embrace life. Explore new directions to
focus your life and search out new loving relationships after I leave
you. In doing so you will best honor my memory.
And I will be at peace."
Author: Linda Peterson
| Nittany |
| Pam |