I am writing this Web Page as a devotion to my dear little beloved Punkin, whom I lost to cancer and old age in 1997. I truly believe that my Lord and Lady sent my newest little love, Amber to me.
They heard the yearning and longing of my heart and soul and knew that I needed Amber and she needed me. She is so much like Punkin that I still can't believe it sometimes. Not only does she look like her twin, but she has the same sweet, kind nature within her personality. Little Amber has joyfully filled the void in as much as possible from the loss of my darlin' Punkin. Following is the obituary that I wrote for her which was published in the Fall 1997 issue of "Circle Network News" (Issue #65):
On Sunday, May 25, 1997, my little girl doggie Punkin passed into the arms of the Goddess as she was graciously placed into the Summerland. She was the sweetest little dog that I have EVER seen in all my years here in this lifetime. She was a terrier/Chihuahua/dachshund mix and her heart was as golden as her pretty fur coat used to be. She was almost 14 years old and lived most of her life here in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She has suffered badly from arthritis for the past few years and had developed cancer a few months ago. She had surgery to remove the tumors, but it came back and spread quickly. My poor baby suffered for a while in the end, but darlin', you know your daddy StormWing did all he could to ease you and help you. I will always love you, my darlin'. Run and play with all the other little animals in the Summerland and come back to me when you are ready. I buried her, with the help of my loving parents, under the apple tree in my back yard. Blessed Be my Baby.
I would like to first offer a link to this wonderful WebSite all about Pet Loss and everything that goes along with it. Many people share their thoughts, feelings and even their personal tributes or "obituaries" of their dearly loved, departed furbabies. There is also a Candle Ceremony held each Monday night. My new friend Breid FoxSong recommended it to me... let me forwarn you, if you love animals as much as I do, take some tissues along!
Here is the link:
Click the little doggy icon on the left to go directly to the Pet Loss WebSite. There is another site that I strongly recommend. It is called The loss of a pet can be just as traumatic to an individual or family as the loss of a family member or dear friend. Animals have the endearing ability to love us and trust us without any expectations. Unconditionally...
When the companionship that has been shared by you and your pet is suddenly not there any more, there is a very real empty space in your heart and soul that needs to be dealt with. We human beings need to learn to cope with this emptiness in a constructive manner, which is definitely a very tough thing to do. This emotional state is quite common among pet owners, therefore I would like to share with you all the ways I dealt with my recent loss.
The first one is a visualization which is directly quoted from Patricia Telesco's book "A Victorian Grimoire", page 274, Llewellyn Publications, 1994. This is her suggestion...
Begin in the area where you spent most of your time with the creature. Take their toys, a picture and other items which carry your pet's special energy. Get comfortable, close your eyes and begin breathing deeply. Try to settle your mind and heart, as hard as that may be for you to do.
Next, in your mind's eye, see your pet approach you in this space, just as it normally would have. What you are seeing is the spiritual energy of your animal. Don't be surprised at the reactions you have to this; it is a very emotional experience and should not be stifled. Open your arms and greet the animal. Give it a long, enduring embrace and speak all the feelings you have in your mind and heart. As you do, visualize these warm emotions as red-purple light flowing from you to your spirit-pet. Continue until you feel relieved and less distressed.
When you are finished, release the spirit-pet and allow it to go it's own way. It may be reluctant to go, as pets hold a special love for their owners too, but encourage the transition. As the animal moves away, you may notice a line of energy connecting the two of you. If so, you must break that cord so you both can be free. I have found this often happens when there is a deep, abiding empathy between pet and owner.
When your spirit-pet is finally out of sight, visualize a white-green light pouring over you to wash away the sorrow. Continue in this manner as long as you wish, returning to normal awareness when you feel your message was received and understood. This visualization won't completely negate the loss you feel, only time can do that, but it will allow you those precious last moments together to share a special connection which time, space, life and death cannot take from you, the connection of love.
The following entry is a ritual which I performed that is pretty much quoted - though slightly adapted for the loss of a pet - from an article in the Spring 1993 issue of "Circle Network News". The original article was written to deal with the loss of an unborn child (miscarriage). It is titled "Rite of Release" and is written by Mor Rigana.
The altar setting is simple: one central candle (white or whatever color feels right), as well as three others - black, red, and white, to be lit during the ritual; a flower (fully opened - preferably a rose - of whatever color seems appropriate to you), which becomes the symbol of your lost one; It is best to perform this "Rite of Release" when the Moon is at Her darkest, before She is renewed.
Begin by lighting the central candle, and, if you wish, performing a ritual of purification, then proceed with these words:
Pick up and hold, cradle if you wish, the flower (rose or whatever you chose), for symbolically, this is your lost loved one.
(light the black candle)
(light the red candle)
(light the white candle)
Extinguish only the central candle. Take the flower and go outside to some special site you have chosen, where you have prepared a hole, and bury the flower there, saying these words as you do:
The black, red, and white candles shall be left lit on the altar to burn themselves out.
There are many more rituals as well as much more extremely helpful information in Eleanor Harris' book "Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide". Example titles of some of the rituals are are "Cleansing the Gate", "Crossing the Bridge (Pet Death Adaptation)", "Lughnasad Veneration for the Dead (Pet Death Adaptation)", "Grieving With the Crone Meditation", and "Creating a Memorial", as well as several others. I strongly recommend it to anyone dealing with the loss of a beloved pet.
Many thanks from me to Eleanor Harris for your wonderful help in getting me through a very difficult time. Sincerely, StormWing
I have been overwhelmed with e-mail lately and a lot of it is of a nature that I am not able to handle at this point in my current life. Many people have written asking me to become their Wicca Teacher or Mentor and I am unable to comply right now. I am Disabled from a serious back injury and just sitting here writing/answering e-mail causes a large increase in pain, so I usually simply cannot do it. Otherwise, my plate is about as full as it can get. I'm sorry, but don't write asking me to do this for you, but please continue to and write with your questions, comments, and suggestions...
Please feel free to use the information contained on my Wiccan Web Pages for your own personal use or for the teaching of others... remembering the Wiccan Rede... and harming none... Blessed Be, StormWing...
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