The death of a beloved pet, whether it’s the family dog, a furry kitty, or something a little more obscure, is a sad occasion. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day on August 28 is the day that we remember the pets that are no longer with us. Whilst the pain of losing a pet somewhat heals over time, they are never forgotten, and today is their day. The day was founded by author Deborah Barnes as a way for people to share their memories of the pets that they have lost, whether it’s a dog, a hamster, or a snake.
According to National Today, Deborah Barnes had to usher her beloved pet cat, Mr. Jazz, over the Rainbow Bridge on August 28, 2013. Deborah published an emotional book that detailed her journey of letting Mr. Jazz go, it was called “Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale Of Life, Death and Beyond.”
After the book was released Deborah received an overwhelming reaction from those who had read it. People reached out to Deborah to share their own stories of a pet passing, and Deborah realized that her journey was being mirrored by others and that a pet dying was a deeply emotional time for many.
So, in honor of Mr. Jazz, and for all the readers who were touched by her book, Deborah decided to create Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day as a chance for people across the world to share their stories and memories of pets that they have loved and lost. It was in 2015 that the holiday was first observed, and now each year on August 28 people are taking time out to remember their pets.
How do you observe a day like this? By reminiscing and remembering. Look through old photos. Call or talk with friends and family who share your loss, or have losses of their own to share. Post a memory on social media with the hashtag #RainbowBridgeRemembranceDay to join the others who are doing the same.
National Today has some additional unique ways you can honor your furry friends who have passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
- An online memorial. You can visit a dedicated website to create a unique memorial dedicated to your pet.
- Make a donation. Pick an animal charity that you admire and donate in honor of your pet.
- A Christmas ornament. Make a Christmas ornament that features a photo of your pet, you’ll get to see them every time the holidays come around.
- Plant a tree. Replace life with life, plant a tree to signify the long and lasting memory of your pet.
- Custom artwork. Commission a unique work of art that you can have on display somewhere in your home.
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Photo Credit: Gergitek Gergi tavan / Shutterstock.com