Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

February 18, 2025

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Designate a specific area in your home for storing all pet food, treats, and feeding supplies to keep everything neat and easily accessible. Use a labeled bin or shelf to avoid scattered bags and ensure mealtime is always smooth and stress-free.

When a Pet Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Earlier this month, on February 4th, we said goodbye to our dear bunny, Buddy (pictured above with Amanda, our daughter throughout the years). When I mentioned his passing in a recent newsletter, I received so many heartfelt messages from you, and I can’t tell you how much that kindness has meant to me. It is comforting to know that so many people understand just how deeply a pet becomes part of the family.

Buddy first started displaying serious health challenges back in October, but he had a short revival that gave us a little more time with him. Then, one night, we saw the unmistakable signs—his hind legs had become too weak for him to hop. We knew what the veterinarian would tell us, but that didn’t make it any easier. We spent a long, difficult night knowing that, come morning, we would have to say goodbye.

The vet was able to squeeze us in at 11:00 a.m. I texed Amanda, our college-age daughter who goes to school out of state, and she stayed on FaceTime with us from the moment we left the house for the 30-minute drive to the small animal vet until the very end.

As the vet confirmed, Buddy’s kidney failure (causing his hind leg weakness) had progressed, and there was no chance of recovery. As any loving pet owner knows, hearing those words is heartbreaking, no matter how prepared you think you are.

Wanting to honor Buddy in the best way we could, we opted for a private cremation, a service the vet offered. This allowed us to keep his ashes, along with a special paw print, as a meaningful way to remember him. Having these small but significant mementos has brought us comfort in these weeks without him.

When we got home, Joe—our family's rock—took the lead on gathering Buddy’s things. Some items were too worn or personal to keep, but we were able to donate a second bag of supplies to the humane society, hoping they would help another small animal in need.

Even now, weeks later, I still catch myself looking for Buddy. The house feels emptier without him, and I think it always will. But we are holding on to the joy of having had him in our lives for so long—11 years, far longer than his breed’s typical lifespan.

Grieving a pet is real, and it’s important to allow ourselves the space to mourn. But in these past few weeks, we’ve also been focusing on the memories—on celebrating Buddy’s life rather than dwelling on those final moments. Here’s what has been helping:

1) Talking about Buddy – We bring him up in conversation often, sharing little stories about his personality, his quirks, and the funny things he used to do. Keeping his memory alive feels better than trying to avoid the subject.

2) Looking through photos and videos – It’s amazing how much joy can come from seeing old photos, especially the ones that make us laugh. Watching videos of him hopping around like his younger self is bittersweet but comforting.

3) Expressing gratitude – Instead of focusing on the pain of losing Buddy, we remind ourselves how lucky we were to have him for so long. He was a part of our family’s story for over a decade, and that’s a gift.

4) Honoring him in our own way – Whether it’s donating his things to help other animals, lighting a small candle, keeping his ashes and paw print in a special place, or just setting aside a moment to remember him, we find ways to keep his spirit close.

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know that the love never truly goes away. They leave their mark on our hearts, and even though the grief is real, the memories are what remain.

Thank you again for all of your kind words and prayers. It means the world to me and my family.

The Story Behind the Rainbow Bridge

If you’ve ever lost a beloved pet, you may have heard of the Rainbow Bridge—a comforting image of a peaceful place where pets wait for their owners until they can be reunited again.

The concept comes from a poem, believed to have been written in the 1980s or 1990s, though its exact origins remain a mystery. The poem describes a lush, green meadow just over a radiant rainbow bridge, where pets are restored to full health, free of pain and suffering, until the day they see their humans again.

Over the years, The Rainbow Bridge has become a source of solace for grieving pet owners, shared in sympathy cards, memorials, and even veterinary offices. While its origins may be unclear, its message is universal—our love for our pets doesn’t end when they leave us, and the bond we share with them remains unbroken.

Whether you find comfort in the idea of a reunion someday or simply in the cherished memories left behind, the love of a pet is never truly gone. They leave paw prints on our hearts that last forever.

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Feb 18 - When a Pet Crosses the Rainbow Bridge - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter