This is not the review of a single site that I did for the last two weeks. Instead, it is an attempt to give pointers to a few sites dealing with a really difficult topic, the loss of an animal companion. There are a fair number of sites dealing with this topic on the web, but until very recently I had no idea this type of support even existed.
I give fair warning that this may not a topic for casual web browsing. If you are an animal lover and venture to these sites and their respective links, you will most likely find yourself crying and hugging your animal companion a bit to tightly for him or her.
Of course, if you are NOT casually browsing, and you are in need of these sites, please accept the condolences of Ghatten and her human companion. We came very close to losing one of our fur-friends, Roger, recently but, in what was a miracle of sorts, he pulled through and though he is still weak and will need life-long medication for his condition, he is still with us today.
(A note of comment: There are many ways of expressing grief for loved ones. Inclusion of a site here is not intended to represent support for a particular way, or suggest it is the best or only way to grieve. Nor is the non-inclusion of a particular viewpoint intended to suggest it may not be valid for you. )
Lightning Strike
A very good site to begin if you have lost a special companion. There is a direct link to the alt.support.grief.pet-loss newsgroup on it. The webmaster is one of the founders of the newsgroup.
The Rainbow Bridge
A place for catharsis and remembrances. A brief description can't do this site justice. If you will only visit one site, make this the site.
The Candle Ceremony
You will find a simple ceremony to link yourself with others who have lost an animal companion.
Help in Healing the Hurt
From the same person who maintains the Rainbow Bridge site. Also a list of links.
Pet Loss and Grieving Resource Pages
Dealing with Grief
A link fron the link above directly to dealing with the grief.
Pet Loss: A Reference to References
Bookmark it. Has a number of non web-based sources, including books.
Virtual Pet Cemetery
A fine way to memorialize a loved animal companion.
Virtual Memorial Garden
Another place to erect an on-line memorial.
Oscar's Story
The story of loving and losing a cat friend, as told by his human companion. Touching.
Poetry
Links to some dealing with loss of a cat.
Pet-Loss FAQ
Regrettably it is temporarily down. Still worth copying the URL.
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