Monday, October 5, 2009

Goodbye, Diamond


Diamond the Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) went to the "Rainbow Bridge" today this morning after having complications from her back injury. Diamond's family has been bringing her to The Rex Center for a couple of months now since she's been home after her injury that left her hind legs immobilized. She had a great time swimming because it gave her the mobility that she no longer had on land. We played in the water, let her straighten out her back, moved her back legs and cheered when she swam and her tail wagged.

All of us at The Rex Center got the chance to swim with Diamond and we'll all miss her.

Our memorial at The Rex Center is a set of Pet Prayer Flags -- and we're going to write the names of dogs that we've lost or that our clients have lost on a ribbon and tie them to the strings in between the flag. Having a memorial is important closure for all of us. We'll burn a candle, say a prayer or offer reiki to help her passing and to comfort the family.

In the Bay Area, we're lucky to have a lot of great resources for pet loss support too. I think its a very hard thing to talk about grief and losing an animal. I've met and talked to Betty Carmack (SF SPCA) and think she's wonderful. I've talked to Dr Nancy Kay via email and think that all of these groups are likely great and supportive. Here's a short list:


(Thanks for the comment (below) that this UC Davis phone line is no longer in operation
"Pet Loss Support Hotline: (800)565-1526 or (530)752-4200 Monday-Friday 6:30-9:30pm (West Coast time) is staffed by volunteers from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine")

And, of course there's always the Rainbow Bridge poem. I still like it.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

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2 comments:

L. B. Roach said...

The UC Davis hotline is no longer operating because of funding cuts.
An excellent source of support before, during and after losing a beloved pet is the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. The APLB has online chat rooms hosted by people trained to support those grieving the loss of a pet. These chat roooms are available online five days a week at www.aplb.org.The APLB website also has many links to other sources of helpful support.

The Rex Center, LLC said...

Thanks! I updated the posting!