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Pay it Forward....Being There for a Friend who Just Lost Their Beloved Pet

By
Real Estate Agent with ProStead Realty

Pay it Forward...Being There for a Friend who Just Lost Their Beloved Pet.

This week has been very difficult for one of my friends.  His Wheaton Terrier dog had really aged and was having many difficulties and was suffering.  One day the dog would have an okay day, but the majority of his days were not good.  My friend hated to make the decision to help his beloved pet pass but after taking the week off and spending quality time with his Wheaton Terrier he made the decision.

It was a very sad and difficult day and my friend related that his pet was in a better place but my friend was not doing well at all.

I went and bought a perennial...a purple salvia for my friend to plant for it will bloom all summer.  It will also come back year after year in memory of his pet.

I also found this poem and shared with him...

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE POEM

 

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

In his time of sadness I do hope that this helps.  It takes time.

Judith Parker, CRS, GRI

Keller Williams

www.CharlotteHomeInfo.com

jparker@kwcharlotte.com

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Comments (16)

Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Having been through this twice with 2 beloved pets it is a grieving that only pet lovers who have experienced it can relate to.  I'm sure that many folks who don't have or want pets or chain them outside think we are batty but for we pet lovers they become very close family members.

You are being a great friend during his very hard time.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Apr 24, 2011 11:09 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Judith.. That is a loving gesture.  To have a Salvia plant come up every year in the dogs memory.  What a good friend you are.

Apr 24, 2011 11:15 AM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Sue, I too have been through this several times and it is definitely not easy.  Our pets are like family and we love them so much.  Thank you for your comments and I hope you are having a wonderful Easter.

Apr 24, 2011 11:15 AM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Valerie, it is so difficult to see a man feeling really sad and upset.  I had to do something and a beautiful plant in memory of his Wheaton terrier was one way to reach out.  Thanks for your kind comment.

Apr 24, 2011 11:21 AM
Bruce Parker
Best Realty - Highland Park, NJ
You Deserve The Best

lost my favorite dog ever a few years ago. I still miss him.

Apr 24, 2011 12:40 PM
Vickie Slade
Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO
Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Judith, what a true friend you are.  Our pets (to many of us) are like family and it so incredibly difficult when we lose them.  What a dear friend you are to have recognized his loss.  The flowers were a thoughtful touch and I absolutely love this poem.  I've given this very poem before to others having lost their pet.  It is such a great one to help ease the pain.

Apr 24, 2011 02:44 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

What is a Friend, that is you.  Good things will always come your way because of the great person and friend you are.

Apr 25, 2011 02:49 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Hi Judith, having lost a few pets myself I can relate how meaningful your gesture is to your friend.  I can't read the Rainbow Bridge, it makes me cry every time.

Apr 25, 2011 12:29 PM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Judith.  That poem was given to me a year and a half ago when my sweet Buddy passed away.  He was such a sweet golden.  Now we have psycho Rocky, but we have Buddy's ashes on the shelf.  I think Buddy looks down on Rocky and says OMG you did not just do that.

buddy

Apr 25, 2011 02:07 PM
Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC
Selling the Upstate since 1989

we lost our beloved Jack last year ( a 19 year old cat we had since he was a baby)... The day we made that decision was one of the hardest ever!! Your thoughtfulness was very appreciated I'm sure!! And yes, it does take time!

Apr 25, 2011 02:17 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Bruce...I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  I have pets that I have loved and lost as well.  You will always enjoy your memories of this pet.  Have a nice evening.

Apr 25, 2011 03:18 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Vickie, I knew that this was going to be very difficult and I had to try something to help during this very sad time.  Thank you for your kind words.

Apr 25, 2011 03:19 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Will, I wish that I could have done more.  Just being there for someone is all we can do at a time of loss.  Thank you for your kind words.

Apr 25, 2011 03:27 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Silvia, it is a very touching poem and it gets me at times as well.  Our pets are so important and they are a real loss.  Have a great evening.

Apr 25, 2011 03:28 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Oh Belinda...Buddy was absolutely beautiful.  I love the grey mug.  He looked like a big sweet heart.  I may have to have a big red golden one day.  Thanks for sharing about Buddy.  You must miss him.  I also love Rocky...he is great.

Apr 25, 2011 03:32 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Sheila, it weighs heavy on our hearts when we see our pets suffering.  That decision is so difficult.  Sorry to hear about Jack.  He must have been a great cat.  Have a nice evening.

Apr 25, 2011 03:33 PM