It’s National Pet Memorial Day — Life After Loss

This post is in honor of my cat Coco who died last year on September 14th.

Today is National Pet Memorial Day designated by http://iaopc.com/ The International Association Of Pet Cemeteries. I’ll be visiting my local pet cemetery today for a special blessing of the animals ceremony.

Over the past year, I’ve often walked past her grave on our property in a sunny spot by an old barn. Sometimes Merlin, her brother joins me. A sadness clouds his eyes when we stop and pay our respects.

We know her physical form has transformed and we miss her, but every time during every season, I’m reassured that there is life after loss.

One of the reasons I found grieving her easier than previous losses was the quality of the grieving process and how she died. I believe ritual is an important part of grieving and I wasn’t afraid to feel my feelings. All of them.

The pain of grieving isn’t bottomless. It ebbs and flows and I found solace from fellow cat lovers. I found journaling helpful and I blogged about the time leading up to her death. In this updated and edited post Kitty Heaven Can Wait, I share advice on preparing emotionally and practically for your cat’s euthanasia including the importance of spouses or partners being in agreement.

Please note: The following links from a very old defunct blog are dead. However, I will try to find them from my archive and repost.

http://blog.laylamorganwilde.com/2010/09/10/cat-saturday-kitty-heaven-can-wait.aspx

In this post, Sweet Sorrow: Death Takes A Holiday I explain how I made the decision for euthanasia and how cats are our spiritual teachers. Ironically, the single rose blooming in the garden is blooming again right on schedule.

http://blog.laylamorganwilde.com/2010/09/13/sweet-sorrow-when-death-takes-a-holiday-2.aspx

In this post, the decision is made.

http://blog.laylamorganwilde.com/2010/09/15/rest-in-peace.aspx

All the details in this post.

http://blog.laylamorganwilde.com/2010/09/17/cat-saturday–end-of-an-era.aspx

Since National Pet Memorial Day coincides with the anniversary of 9/11, I’d like to pay tribute to all the rescue dogs and pets who died on that day in the after math of the attack. When I think of 9/11, I think the twin towers but I also think of the Statue of Liberty. This was my post last year with an unusual shot of Lady Liberty.http://blog.laylamorganwilde.com/2010/09/10/freedom-and-911.aspx