Pet Loss Poems

One way of nurturing the memories of a pet that has passed on is through poetry

When we adopt a pet, it is like adopting a child – only more so, because as a child begins to grow, it learns to speak and make its needs known to us. With a pet however, this is not so. We have to rely on our intuition and observation of our pet’s gestures (for example, as I write this, my cocker spaniel Toffee just scratched on the bedroom door and looked back on me, so I opened the door and let him out). This creates a special bond between the pet and pet owner.

Losing a pet is an event of profound grief for a pet owner, one that is difficult for a person who does not own a pet to understand. We mourn for our lost pets in different ways. One way of nurturing the memories of a pet that has passed on is through poetry. There are even poetry books available on this subject.

Although the poet is unknown, this heart-wrenching poem entitled ‘Until we meet in Heaven’ gives us an example of beautiful poems in honour of pets gone by:

“…His bowls will sit there empty,

But I’ll leave them in their place.

No more will water drip down

From his thirsty, furry face.”

But then, on a happier note, the poem goes on to say:

“…But I know the day will come,

When my tears will finally fade,

And I’ll focus on the good times,

And all the fetch we played.”

This so lucidly reflects the mourning process. Yes, we grieve, we weep, we are desolate, but eventually, time is a great healer, and we end up just remembering the good times shared.

Of course, poetry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and for me, I find such poetry too sad to read without a tear in my eye. But there are many who find solace in pet loss poems.

Here are few titles of well-known poems for dogs:

Dogs in Heaven by Earl Hammer Jr.
The House Dog’s Grave by Robinson Jeffers
Heaven’s Doggy Door by Jan Cooper
Special Friend by Christina Tronnes
A Prayer for Animals by Albert Schweitzer
The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling
A few titles for cats go as follows:
Little Cat (To Marmie) by M J Falango
The Purry Gates – Anon
An Old Man’s Prayer for his Cat by George Ware
Wild and Free by P J Quick
The Cat Bed in the Sky – Anon

However, one of the universally-loved pet loss poems of all time is Rainbow Bridge (anon), which goes like this:

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

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….

If you find poetry a source of solace and comfort in your mourning, you can follow up on these beautiful verses to help you through the grieving process.