It is always difficult to say goodbye to someone who has been your companion and a member of your family. This is the case if it has been for a long or short time.
Your pet has shared the ups and downs of yours, and perhaps, your family’s life. When it comes time for farewell you might consider a bespoke pet funeral ceremony.
Mother Cat and Baby Cat
A pregnant stray cat walked into my family’s life in 1978. She had 5 kittens and Mum insisted we give away four of them. While my siblings and I squabbled over the names for them, they were simply called “Mother Cat” and “Baby Cat”. The names stuck throughout their long lives. Baby Cat lived to 17 years and Mother Cat lived to 19 years. They lived through our busy childhoods and supplied company and solace to our parents as we left home. Mum didn’t have the heart to have another cat after they went.
My life has been shared with several pets. I remember “Chubbins”, a ginger cat who wandered in when I was sharing a house with friends while we were at uni. “Shimrod” was a grey fluffy kitten who was born in the sugar cane growing behind our house in coastal Queensland. She had kittens at age 7 months which surprised us.
The pet who stole my heart long ago was a springer spaniel named “Bella”. She was a gentle but active dog, who enjoyed carrying large rocks in her mouth. She didn’t have pups and I wondered if they were her surrogate children. She cared for the rocks and dug holes for them to be kept safe. After my son was born she lay beside him, protecting him and keeping him company. Her death when he was 18 months old devastated me at the time, and I still remember her fondly.
“Casey” was a cat who was named by my son and became part of his childhood. Then “Tess”, a very active border collie came into our lives when he was 10 years old. Sadly, she died during the covid years.
I am currently sharing my life with two goldfish in my garden pond. They are called Madeleine and Fred in honour of my parents. I also share my space with a myriad of wild birds who entertain me and enrich my life.
Friend and confidante
For many of us, our pets provide us with a non-judgemental friend. We can share our innermost secrets, knowing they will be faithfully kept. They give us a reason to go out in all sorts of weather, knowing the walk will make us feel better on our return. We can curl up on the settee with them and have a good cry when things are getting us down. The unconditional love of a pet can help us get through all sort of challenges. Just the tactile experience of cuddling or stroking a fellow sentient being can sometimes give us the comfort we crave.
Bespoke farewell ceremony
So, when it is their turn to cross the rainbow bridge at the end of their life, what better way to honour them, than with a bespoke funeral ceremony or memorial service.
The ceremony can be conducted at a pet crematorium by arrangement, in your own house or garden, or at a venue meaningful to you with the permission of the landowner if needed. The ceremony can be small or large and costs can be negotiated to reflect the complexity of your requirements.
I am also offering pet naming ceremonies as a family celebrant. For more information contact me, or check out my website: https://thestorytellercelebrant.co.uk/
Contact me and we can have a free zoom chat to discuss it further.