Memorializing your Furbaby or feathered friend

Rainbows Bridge
One of the most touching ways Guardians have used to memorialize their furbabies after the horrific attack on September 11th. has been adding a US flag at their babies Residency. Though a small gesture, it comforts many of our Guardians. Many, like myself, felt so very helpless. So many wanted to do something in memory of their babies gone on to the Bridge, and in memory of those furbabies that passed on to Rainbow Bridge during the attack. Those that were killed in vain were so innocent.

Garden Pond
I created a water pond for Fifi that has brought so much comfort. It was an inexpensive project and a project of love. I added fish and planted flowers and plants around it. The birds take baths in it and frogs lie on the lilly pads. The sound of the water is so comforting. I bought a corian marker that says "In Loving memory of Fifi 1984-1997". Anyone that visits can see the beauty of nature and my Fifi is honored and memorialized.

Write an obituary
I tried to put an obituary in my local paper for Fifi but they refused. Now many newspapers will do this in a special area of the paper.

Album and Memorial Table
Put an album together with pictures and memories. Some set up a memorial on a table in a favorite room with their baby's urn, a piece of their baby's fur in a frame with a photo, a candle and the Rainbow Bridge poem. Many will light a candle, especially on the anniversary their baby went on to Rainbow Bridge.

Volunteer
Volunteer to help others at shelters, counseling , or on-line at pet loss chat rooms (to just be there as a friend for support). Some go on to create a fund in their baby's name, raising money for other furbabies that need a chance to be cared for and placed in a loving home.

Memorial Websites
Create a memorial website for your furbaby. Many Internet Service providers, including AOL, provide free space for their members to create a website. Add stories with photo's and memories of your furbaby.

Jewelry
Many wear memorabilia like a piece of the fur and/or a photo in a locket or wear a pin in memory of their furbaby. Some buy jewelry with the furbaby's name engraved on it.

Cryogenic's & Taxidermy
A Guardian at Rainbows Bridge that used cryogenic freeze drying was ecstatic when her baby came "home". Others that have a smaller animal will have the pet taxidermied. One Guardian says she has her little bird in a cage in a corner of her room and covers her feathered friend's cage at night.

On-line
Some will take on their furbaby's name in a screen name or email address on-line.

Knitting
One Guardian I talked with had incorporated her baby's fur into a small blanket she knitted .

Memorial service
On-line memorial services are held at Rainbows Bridge. Most popular is the one year anniversary service. This helps to give recognition and comfort in "celebrating'' their babies life. It is a way to help with the grief and some closure. We grieve a lifetime, though we get on with our lives, we accept the fact our furbabies are gone but never forgotten.


By Ginny Brancato