Scientific evidence suggests that nonhuman animals are aware of death, can experience grief, and may sometimes mourn or ritualize their dead. While humans find value in guarding or watching the bodies of the deceased, many animals in many cultures are not mourned when they die. This is evident in the case of an orca calf who died off the coast of Vancouver Island in 2018.
Animals display ritualistic behaviors towards their dead, such as elephants gathering around the deceased. Although death is often a traumatic event for nonhuman animals, many cultures do not mourn when they die. This is due to the fact that humans share their lives with companion animals in a way that would have been unheard of 50 years ago.
Studies of elephants, crows, chimpanzees, dolphins, and giraffes suggest that animals also have death rituals. Elephants show signs of mourning the dead and have rituals surrounding them, such as touching the body with their trunks, having a moment of silence, and covering the body with leaves and branches.
While grief is common to many animals, funeral rituals are not. However, they are well documented in African elephants. Chimpanzees and magpies have reported burial practices by throwing grass and branches over the dead of their kind like the elephants. Other studies have documented rituals that verge on the elaborateness of our own funerals.
Although animals do not have a concept of death, they are often presented either in the throes of death at another creature’s hand or in a limp resting pose, having just passed.
📹 This Is How Animals Say Goodbye to the Dead
Whether animals have consciousness or not is one of the most controversial questions in science. While owners of cats and dogs …
Do animals go to heaven after death?
Father Daniel Maria Klimek, a self-avowed dog lover and assistant professor of theology at Franciscan, believes that many priests and popes believe that if a pet needs to be happy in heaven, God will allow it to be seen. However, he acknowledges that Church tradition, influenced by St. Thomas Aquinas, teaches that animals do not have eternal souls, so they wouldn’t be present in the afterlife. Instead, some Catholic authors, including priests, have considered the possibility that animals will be present in heaven, using examples like the garden of Eden and Noah’s ark as symbols of God’s desire for salvation. Father Mike Schmitz’s answer in the video “Will My Pet Be in Heaven” suggests that God will allow it, but someone who requires a pet for happiness in heaven is not ready for heaven.
Do chimps bury their dead?
It is typical for chimpanzees to abandon their dead, but they may experience a period of mourning, during which they engage in cleaning and honoring their deceased relative.
Do animals have souls in religion?
Animals and plants lack souls, which are the principle of life, as they are living things and cannot transcend the limitations of matter. Our souls are rational, while theirs are not, as they are spiritual. Animals and plants also lack conceptional intelligence, such as the abstract notion of justice, and a moral sense, as they cannot commit a sin. Therefore, animals and plants cannot be considered as moral beings.
Are cats aware of death?
Cats are aware of death, but their understanding of the concept and the finality of their own passing is unclear. They understand when they feel ill or something is wrong. While cats do not fear death, they may wish to be free from pain or discomfort. It is not uncommon for ill cats or other predators to hide symptoms of illness, as this may alert other predators. However, this may be a symptom of worsening illness rather than a direct sign of the end coming. Animals, especially cats, can detect chemical changes in an animal or human body immediately before death and respond to the physical and emotional needs of the person passing away.
Do dogs mourn to death?
Dogs experience grief when they lose a companion, whether it’s an animal or human. They may experience depression, listlessness, decreased appetite, and a decline in play. They may sleep more and move slower, sulking around. These changes are similar to those experienced by grieving humans. The common factor in human or canine grief is the loss of a central individual and the associated bond. Skeptics argue that dogs don’t grieve, but rather attribute their behavioral changes to the alterations in daily routine due to the absence of an integral figure in their life. The surviving dog may miss canine interaction and play time, while the new caregiver may change feeding and walking schedules.
Do elephants have a burial ritual?
Scientists in India have discovered that Asian elephants in the northern Bengal region engage in a ritualistic behavior that bears resemblance to human funeral rites. The study, published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, reveals that the elephants engage in a ritualistic mourning and burial of their deceased calves, which is characterized by vocal expressions and a physical transport of the carcass by the herd.
Do animals feel pain when killed?
A significant number of animals are rendered unconscious during the most distressing moments of their lives as a result of the inappropriate methods used to stun them. This leads to thousands of animals experiencing pain both before and during the slaughter process.
Is it OK to bury dead animals?
Pet burial is legal in most states, as long as it doesn’t cause a nuisance or health hazard. However, it’s not permitted in Arkansas, Vermont, or Wisconsin, and may be allowed in rural areas in California. Arizona has no state laws banning pet burial, but most cities don’t. Many states and cities allow pet burial but have regulations and restrictions, such as distance from water, public roads, and depth of burial. Some jurisdictions may require disclosure to new homeowners if the property is sold. Local authorities should be consulted before finalizing burial plans.
Do animals have a sense of death?
Many apes and monkeys exhibit compassionate care for the dying, but the understanding of death is uncertain. Many thanatologists believe that animals they observe do not have a concept of death. Charles Darwin questioned the emotional response of cows when they surround and stare intently at a dying companion. Nonhuman social animals, such as ants, have reactions and behaviors surrounding death, which merit further investigation. Understanding the concept of death is different from distinguishing the dead from the living.
Ants perform “necrophoresis”, which removes dead ants from their nests, detecting a chemical called oleic acid produced by dead ants. If oleic acid is put on an object in the nest, other ants remove it.
Which animals have burial rituals?
Researchers have observed that dolphins, elephants, and crows exhibit funeral-like behaviors when exposed to a dead member of their species. Dolphins stop when seeing another dead dolphin and do not move for a short period, even fighting to return to the dead dolphin after being pushed away. Crows, like elephants, primates, and dolphins, respond in a human-like funeral manner when exposed to a dead member of their own species. Death is a part of life, and we must come to terms with it through funeral rituals.
Scientists are cautious when attributing human emotions to animals, as they cannot yet be said to have feelings similar to humans. However, it is evident that animals like dolphins, elephants, and crows have complex behaviors when dealing with death.
Do animals mourn their dead?
The demise of a family member has a profound impact on the entire group. Providing support for the grieving process in surviving members is an essential step in facilitating the group’s ability to move forward. The grieving process in animals is analogous to that observed in humans, and it may manifest in ways that are consistent with the animal’s personality. It is possible that animals which are recovering from illness may experience a loss of interest in eating and adjust to a new eating schedule.
📹 The Rainbow Bridge, Animals in Transition | Joan Ranquet | TEDxWilmingtonWomen
You know the rainbow bridge, right? That meadow in front of the pearly gates where our deceased animals wait for us so they can …
Yes, animals feel death. My Grand dad’s dog quit eating, and laid down on his coat after papa died. We had to contact a vet to get some medicine to help him coop. He took him out to papas grave site. He found his grave first howled and then laid down on his grave. Red was 14 yrs old and went everywhere papa did. After a couple weeks he finally started eating. He lived to be 19.
I have had many dogs. When one would pass away, the pack felt the grief. They howled and cried. They knew they lost one of their own. They didn’t care if the leader was a chocolate lab and that two were rat terriers, one a Pomeranian/pug mix, and another a Scottish terrier, they all would feel the grief. My dogs had a bond as a pack and could feel the grief of losing one of their members. This pack has been all but gone now as they have passed away from old age, but it was fascinating. I also saw cats grieve too, in fact they could sense when one of their members died as well. They even felt the pain of seeing a fellow person die too. We all seem to understand death and it fascinates me.
4 years ago my 20 year old cat Monty died in her sleep when I was home sitting for my parents. After messaging some friends to help me bury, her I sat down for 20 mins and played some guitar like I used to when I was a teenager. It was sunny and nice weather on especially that day. My other cat snus, who hated her for being in touch with me, began to sit next to me and sort of cried when I cried. Beautifully weird stuff.
I remember, when I was young, my dog had puppies but the runt didn’t make it. I dug a hole in the yard and brought my dog out with me for the burial. She whined and grabbed the baby out of the hole a couple times while I tried to bury it. I cried my eyes out because I felt so bad for bringing her out there for it. I had no idea she would react that way and I still feel awful about it.
One time I had 2 turtles. One got sick and I didn’t have money for a vet at the time. He died a slow death and I remember the other turtles reaction. I would come home to the healthy turtle pushing his nose against the sick turtles nose. Trying to c what’s wrong. Or as if the turtle already knew. They didn’t really do anything special before being sick. But after being sick the healthy turtle started to sleep with the sick one. Almost looking like trying to comfort him. Was a very sad time for me. Animals do have feelings. They understand more than we think. RIP franky I’m sorry.
the constant touching they do though even when its stiff and its hopeless…its like they keep trying something new as if they feel if they keep trying and finally do the right thing they will come back to life isn’t that what grief is? the concern for their well being and the unwillingness to let go? like the dolphin carrying her baby that was dead for miles? if that isn’t grief i don’t know what is.
Cool fact about elephants, it’s been recorded that if a corpse is moved from the site it died, the other elephants may break off pieces of the corpse and return what they can to the original site it died. To me, this suggests elephants have an actual ritual and philosophy over what happens to their dead, which you could argue may be a cultural practice over innate behaviour.
When our dog boomer died and he was the last one of his generation, a newer pup we had was so sad that she’d lay on his spot on the couch in the living room all day. Even when we came back to the vet and saw he wasn’t there but we had his leash and collar. She sniffed it and went to sniff the couch and just gave us the most sad and heartbreaking look.
My family and I have a farm, we have one horse, a few sheep and chickens. Our oldest ram died after me and my dad tried to figure out what has happening before we realised it was his time. The day we went out to check on him the horse and our ewes broke through the fence (we kept the ram away because we thought he had a disease) and we found them huddled around the ram in a circle. They were stock still and heads down, the sound of us coming didnt bother them. They stood there silently with their eyes closed, even our blind sheep. It was really weird but when we ushered the animals back to the field they all in one motion, let out a bellow at once, in the direction of the ram and then went on their merry way. I told my dad I think they had their own ceremony, like we have in our culture (we are Native American). It was eerie in a way seeing animals act differently than their norm. We gave him a proper burial and for a week, we caught the animals at his burial site just standing, heads down. The same happen when our blind sheep passed of old age, the remaining ewes and our horse circled her and stood still, head down. When we drag the ewe to her burial site, the animals followed with the horse as the leader, our horse made noises like whinning and a clicking. The animals were in a line in front of me and my dad perusal us and I swear on my life, I could hear them bleeh and whine under their breathe as if they were singing or something. We buried the ewe and even I shed tears as the blind ewe was loving and we saved her from being sent to the local wolf haven to be live meat.
This reminded me of the time my pet rat died, I was so upset and miserable, I though my rats brother could cheer me up but he was just as miserable too, he massively reduced his food intake, barely moved and slept constantly. The most heart breaking thing is when I would watch him eat, he kept putting a nugget aside where my rat’s eating spot was, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t bawling my eyes out.
Animals definitely feel emotions. When my cat lost her baby, she sat on the shoebox we kept her in, after she was gone, momma cat hid in our linen closet for two months. Only coming out to use the cat box and I would bring her food and water. Her daughter was full grown and about 12 yrs old but they had a close bond. They slept together and groomed each other. I miss my fur babies 🥺
Most have heard of Koko. I remember perusal them trying to find a mate for her and ended up being unsuccessful. The first gorilla they introduced she felt more like a sister brother relationship, and they were afraid what might happen with more wild gorillas. I think it was that same documentary that with sign language the apes basically recounted how traumatic the experience of being locked in a cage and having your family shot by hunters was. At least with apes, I need no more convincing than that.
My dad used to have an airgun when he was a boy, and he shot a crow once by accident. He was probably trying to scare it by firing an empty shot, but forgot his airgun was loaded. Immediately, the others just started getting angry and they all flew at my dad pecking and scratching him. So much, he ran inside, abandoning the airgun. Then the others just crowded around the hurt crow. They cawed and nudged it, but it was hopeless. The crow died from bleeding. And this whole thing started a war between my dad and his dog, VS the entire crow flock in his neighbourhood. For FIVE years, they remembered, and my dad would shield his head while going out to take the trash or whatever. FIVE. A 11 year old and his dog vs a flock of 40 or so crows. A crucial skirmish was when my dad was fishing in the lake behind our garden, when a bunch of crows ambushed him from a palm tree. He ran inside. But his dog managed to fell about 4 or so of them. These intellegent birds retreated, but they had a trick. The next day, one swooped down, and got the bone his dog was chewing on. The dog chased them, looking up at the sky, fixated and enraged his bone was stolen. Looking upwards, the dog didn’t see the lake coming up. One minute barking furiously jumping at sky, he jumped again, but into water. And this was a hairy dog, and he wasn’t drowning, but his hair was keeping him down fro swimming back to shore, while the crows took revenge by divebombing him again and again, and my dad had to save him under cover of my grandad standing guard with a real gun.
IT pisses me off that people know that animals have feelings, and they act like they don’t give a crap or care about them. Like the dogs, The dog can sense when we are sad or mad, they think that is there fault n sometimes they can’t sleep thinking of what is going through ur mind. It only takes on animal to prove it. Ohh and btw, It also pisses me off that human helds animals in the zoo, like they are some slave. And yet, People act like they don’t give 4 craps
﴿وَما مِن دابَّةٍ فِي الأَرضِ وَلا طائِرٍ يَطيرُ بِجَناحَيهِ إِلّا أُمَمٌ أَمثالُكُم ما فَرَّطنا فِي الكِتابِ مِن شَيءٍ ثُمَّ إِلى رَبِّهِم يُحشَرونَ﴾ (Al-An‘ām: 38) There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end. ❤️
I had a parrot that died. His last 3 days of his life he’d stopped talking…there was no hope so I kept him tucked in a hanky loving him for as long as I had left. He had amazed me for many years with how he connected actions & words with objects & behavior. I could say, “give me a high 5” & he’d raise 1 foot up, for example & go get a familiar object when asked. He had even pottie trained himself. After 3 days of his silence & my sobbing (I loved that bird, he was my roomy) May 7, 2000 about midnight, I had him nuzzled at my neck in the hanky, near my ear. He said, “I love you” then exhaled his last breath. That showed me that if all animals could talk they would say so too…they DO have feelings! HUGS2U
I cryed. I cryed cuz i know that some of these animals are dieing cuz of us humans. I cryed cuz i know all animals have feelings and know what guilt and death/ pain is. i cryed cuz i know that the pain of losing a young one hurts..it hurts alot. I am only 16 and i have seen alot of deaths in my life and from my family& friends. I feel pain from others and from myself. I have seen so many of my pets,close friends and family die infront of my eyes.. I even have had horrible HORRIBLE things happen to me at a young age.. I try to make others happy so they dont feel the same pain that i feel. i try to make others happy cuz i know they are hurting inside. I try so they know im here for them,that they can cry on my shoulder,and let it all out. But the downside of being strong and helping others is that…. They eather never or always forget to ask if your ok…
Animals having clear signs of grieving and sadness: Scientists: they arent grieving or feeling sad though, they are just curious edit: its literally so obvious that they are sad and grieve, i dont know why “scientists” keep saying they arent sure. its not like us humans all grieve verbally. alot of people grieve silently so it shouldnt be hard to say that animals can grieve or feel sad just because we dont know what they are saying
I know for a absolute fact that dogs grieve! The elderly gentleman who lived on our street passed away, we live in a small town so of course his friends took his dog. The cemetery is in town, and the old dog would dissapear and be found laying on his companions grave! This went on for a couple weeks, he wouldn’t eat, barely licked at his water, and found every way possible to get out of the back yard! At the end of the two weeks he was found on his companions grave, he had passed on himself, he had the most relaxed almost happy look on his face. The friends had him cremated and buried with his old companion. The elderly gentleman always called him his companion he never said he was his owner, he said nobody can own another living breathing thing, he’s my buddy and companion. That dog died of a broken heart! Sorry for the long story but it had to be told to understand the point.
I was surprised to learn recently that scientists believed animals lacked consciousness because they lack a prefrontal cortex part of the brain that’s only found in humans and some primates. Blaise Pascal used to experiment on animals without anesthesia. He would tell his assistant to ignore the cries of pain because although the animal feels pain they are not aware of it. So are they just moist robots? I find that notion bizarre if true..
We had 2 dogs, a male and female and they’d wake us up in the middle of the night so we could let them out to relieve themselves. The female used to get frequently sick with some issue that made her leg swell up. This happened periodically and for years so when it happened again, it felt routine. For two nights the male dog would bark and force us to let him out and when we did, he wouldn’t go to pee but just check the other dog to make sure she was ok. She died on the 3rd day 🙁 Such a good dog, I wish we had known better and given her a ton of treats as she would’ve liked.
In the Qur’an: Cain learnt how to bury Abel, by observing a crow bury another. Solomon spoke to Animals, a hooboe (bird) who expressed concern, heard an an ant instruct others to hide in fear of being stepped over by the marching army, and spoke with djinn, ethereal beings made of fire. Solomon could also bend and use nature, metals, wind, clouds to his will. As Muslims we know that animals, plants, and lifeless objects (like mountains) feel and think. It’s just that humans are unable to understand or hear their languages.
Ok story time! So last winter I was walking my grandma’s neighbor’s dog!But she got so excited that I fell and cut my hand in many places (they were not deep they were like appear cuts)It hurt a lot so I cried!He sadly walked me back to the house and as soon as his leash was off, he ran to a chair and sat on it looking guilty with his head on the arm part of the chair!I think he felt bad for hurting me! But I felt bad for making him sad but couldn’t make him feel better as we left right after and the next morning went back to the city because school
I used to have two dogs; two sisters. They were very close. When one of them died, the other very clearly mourned her for several weeks. She went from being very lively and happy to being lethargic and depressed. She would spend her walks looking for her sister. I’d give her a treat and she would at first be on her guard in case her sister came to steal it. (the sister was a very greedy dog) Now days, my remaining dog is more or less back to being her usual self, but on those rare occasions when we encounter any dog who even remotely resembles the sister, my dog will rush over wagging her tail; then very obviously become sad once she realizes its not her dead sibling. I’ve also seen Horses mourn the loss of a close friend.
I’d like to point out rats. Rats can show clear signs of happiness but also certainly grief their dead friends. Rats are super social and live in groups. I had a group of 6 male rats. When one of them died I placed him in the cage for a little while. He got groomed and mourned. To fellow rat owners I’d like to advise; Always let your group say goodbye to a dead rat, they may get frustrated when they can’t find the missing friend in the cage and it could last for a long time.
Potential Trigger warning in some of the description here. I had a 19 year-old cat named Bailey. The one day we woke up to find her seizing behind our dryer downstairs. She was old and dying. Our other cat, a 14 year-old named Jynx came in as my mother was frantically trying to call the vet so we could have Bailey put down (she wouldn’t let go and we didn’t want her to be in pain). He saw her and looked freaked out as hell, and looked very very shocked to see the senior he’d lived with for so long seizing and twitching. When we got back from the vet with no Bailey, our Dog and Jynx both seemed confused and sad. In another instance before this after my dad passed away, Bailey had become really depressed. He had taken care of her since she was a kitten. I tried to make the poor girl feel as loved and comfortable as possible before she eventually passed away too. I’ll be damned if animals can’t feel grief. There’s so many blatant examples that they can feel emotions just as we do, even if our brains don’t work exactly the same way. I’ve watched animals experience grief in person, and, all things considered, we’re just somewhat evolved animals. If we can feel grief, why can’t other mammals? Heck, even beyond that; animals have a level of sentience to them. They may not be able to drive a car or speak, but they can most definitely feel pain and experience many emotions.
I used to have two rottweilers, they loved eachother so much and had been together ever since they were pups but my female dog died of cancer (I think) and my male dog fell into some type of sad phase, he didn’t eat nor drink for long periods, eventually he became immobile so we had to put him down so he couldn’t suffer anymore.
As far as I see it, any largely social animal that depends on others of its same kind to live will likely feel some sort of grief. Competition is one thing but losing a potential lifeline to safety and food puts your life at high risk. It makes sense for the vast majority of highly social animals to feel intense pain from loss. There are many animals who die without others around them, regardless of their ecosystem and resources. Saying other highly social animals don’t grief is like saying “Fish can’t feel pain”, it might be different from how we feel it, it doesn’t mean it can’t be as intense or impactful. Social animals need to be loved, rather by their own kind or a sort of foster/adoptive family. Canines, rodents, birds, elephants, and apes. We all depend on others and so long as somebody can reach them and make them feel safe and loved.
I am an engineer and scientist. I own a dog. I can’t describe in equations but I am CERTAIN that most social animals not only are aware of death, have a sense of self, and know the implications of death. All of our knowledge and reactions come from types of reflections. Living things avoid death because the intelligence knows what death is. Really we are one. Animals are just as “alive” as humans are, they just have their own frames of reference….And nature is pragmatic about this reference. This universal pragmatism also points towards the almost sure existence of a higher realm/form of existence and/or “god.” After all- how would we be able to observe the equation for space time if our awareness was not one level higher than the material? Mathematics pretty much proves at least one higher level of existence- and the existence of “laws” point towards a creator/creators. We have lost the sacredness with which we must hold all life. This is why isolated tribes treat everything as sacred- they are much more attune to the “oneness,” can get more information from it, etc. Modern humans have been building their “modern” reality- which is enframed at best, decaying in reality always. I do truly think though humans are all realizing this and the sacred is returning. I hope to live a long life so I can see many more interesting things happen on this Little Rock of ours!
I can’t watch this while drunk. The one with the fake monkey made me cry. I watched the original version. The scientists all agreed to never pull that shit again. Thinking no other creature on this Earth also has emotions is a species level of narcissism. It’s obviously an evolutionary development to want to keep your fellows alive.
lost my brother recently, and my mom has been diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer, so a article about death was a bad idea for me. Held it together though, till the penguins part. I feel oddly ill equipped to deal with loss like that. Even animals seem to be able to move on better than myself… My life kinda just came to a stop, and now I find myself hoping Im the next to go… Dunno why Im sharing this, but there ya have it.
Anyone who has ever had pets knows that animals have emotions. The question is why we believe for some strange reason that we are the one animal on earth to feel things the way we do… that makes no sense. We are just hominids with apposable thumbs useful in tool making and vocal chords useful in speech— which leads to the possibility of learning that becomes recorded and built on. We’re more similar to other animals than we are different.
When our chinchilla Fei Fei died, her daughter, Chanel, hugged her body and refused to let go of her. She also refused to eat out of depression. Chanel had already joined her mom in heaven. She did not die from hunger or depression but a bad reaction to surgery. Chinchillas are too tiny, and we should avoid having surgery for them when possible. A one-inch opening is nothing for us but a big one for them.
I lost my dog 2 nights ago. I feel so completely broken, and it just hurts so much. I miss her every single day. opening the door to my house and not seeing her come and greet me makes my heart hurt. I really do believe that she’s in a better place, but I just miss her so much and I wish I could bring her back.
I lost my cat Leo five days ago and am currently severely depressed. I’m an introvert who barely leaves the house so we would spend every second together. Life isn’t the same without him. My room feels empty and so does my heart. He taught me to love animals and it was only after I got him that I developed an insane love for animals and began rescuing them. Thank you for making me a better person Leo. God knows I don’t have that sort of connection with any human being. Until we meet again best friend, I will never forget u.
My dog crossed the rainbow bridge 3 days ago. 🌈 The complete devastation I’m feeling is indescribable. I felt like a piece of me was lost that day. 11 1/2 years wasn’t long enough. But the love and joy she brought to my wife and I made me a better man and our family stronger. I just miss her so much, idk what to do 💔💔🥺
My cat Lacey was euthanized today. She was the love of my life and we did everything together. I would not travel unless she could come with me. Summer vacations were planned with her in mind. I walked home from the vet and cried the entire way. Twenty blocks through Manhattan with tears and an empty carrier. I am sure people who saw me put two & two together and knew what happened. I know loss and mourning but this is different. This grief is so profound and I cannot even begin to describe what I feel.
“It’s just a cat” It’s the loneliest thing when you’re freshly grieving your lost friend, and there’s no one around to take it seriously – to ‘hold space’ for you. That happened to me when my 6 year old stray cat died of acute renal failure. I sat and sobbed for hours in another part of the house while my uncle and brother made small talk with each other only a few rooms away. Neither of them once checked on me. I don’t know if they genuinely didn’t get it, or where just too cowardly to deal with me in the state I was in. Hard to forget. This was a really important talk for me to hear.
I lost my dog 13 hours ago. I feel like my heart is on fire. He died in my arms and I was so lucky that I could say goodbye. I’m still in shock, but I know that he is on heaven and I will see him again. I love you Bobby Benny and thank you, it was my privilege and my honor to be your best friend 2019|2022
I am grieving and that is so true . people tell me its just a dog. But that dog gave me the purest real unconditional love that humans can’t give. This is why i am dovorcing my husband. My pet’s death was the reason for me to realize what true love is and that i need to let others go if i dont see that love back. I miss you Chilindrina 16 years old. She is incredibly smart, beautiful, unlike any other dog i ever met. I hope to see you again in eternity. 💘💘🐶🐶
I really do believe that pets go to the Rainbow Bridge once they pass on. Last year me and my parents had to put our dog down. I remember on our way to the vet, there was no rainbow in the sky. But shortly after he was put to sleep, I remember seeing a rainbow in the sky appear after. I’d like to believe that’s where he went. I miss him every single day, and know that we’ll reunite again :’)
My dog had the heart of a lion, even when he was sick, he was still wagging his tail. He had a tumor in his stomach that was causing him to vomit blood after he ate. The vet gave him a week to live. That evening I put him down it was gloomy, then after he went to sleep the setting sun came out with not a cloud in the sky. It was a peaceful sign from God. I’m gonna miss him, he was my best friend . But I know he’s ok and I’ll see him again someday.
My kitty boy Bandit went to wait for me up above yesterday. I was there for him in his last hours right up until he was euthanized. The sweetest most loving cat I’ve ever had, I’ll carry his love with me until we reunite again. My heart goes out to all of us grieving our little friends, thank you all for your comments under this article, it’s so therapeutic
I lost my dog that I had for 10 years few days ago. She had a kidney failure. We went through all the funeral process but, knowing that I won’t be hearing her welcoming barks everytime I go home still makes my heart hurt God I miss her. She gave us unconditional love and I wish I could’ve done better for her. I hope you rest in peace, Jenny.
I lost my dog this morning and it’s really depressing knowing the fact that I won’t see him again. I was emotionally affected and I went into depression. It’s really painful and hurting that he died. If you are in my position just know there are many people like you and you can talk to anyone about it.
I lost my beloved baby 5 hours ago and I haven’t stopped crying since. I feel so empty and lost.. the house feels so empty without his presence, every corner I turn to I could imagine him just playing not caring about the ruthless people outside..my baby so innocent and pure he was only 6 month old and yet he was taken from us so soon. My baby wherever you are right now please know that I love you very much and I am very sorry I failed to protect you. Fly high my baby.
My family had to suddenly put my 11yo cat to sleep 4 days ago. The grief is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, worse than for any person I’ve lost in my life. I love my boy more than anybody else in the world. He’s the love of my life. It’s a physical and emotional grief more powerful than I can explain. I’m sharing sympathy with anybody going through the same devastation.
My 13 year old lab will be crossing that bridge 8-13-2018. We “rescued” her at 3 months old. A terrible man dumped a mom & 10 pups on the side of the road, in Ohio in Dec of 04. Mom & 2 pups froze to death. “Specks” was last to be adopted, by us & quite by accident. My husband is having a difficult time. We had thought her arthritis got worse when she suddenly started limping really bad. Vet did x-ray & scans to find she had bone cancer in leg, shoulder & spread to lungs. In just a few days she can’t walk hardly at all. It’s tho I’m having to put one of kids down. May our sweet spirit rest easy till we can walk together again. She has had a wonderful life. It’s us who were blessed more then her.
Three days ago, my cat, Simon, crossed the rainbow bridge. I was 16 years old when I found him outside- he was only four months old. We grew up together. I spent almost everyday with him for the last 18 years that I couldn’t remember what life was like before him… I know his health was on the decline but this is the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced in my life so far. Not only was he a family member, he was also my soul cat and best friend. I literally feel so lost without him and miss him so, so much. 😭💔
Five days ago I lost my best friend of 16 years. I swear he was a human in a cat’s body. What hurts the most is that he was planning on dying, I knew he was in pain and he had started hiding… I called the vet in hopes of making an appointment in what I knew in my heart was going to result in putting him to sleep. They were booked until the next day. I had planned on getting home from work and spending the entire night with him (I work 2nd shift). When I had gotten home I found him in extremely bad shape, and rushed him to an animal hospital about 40 minutes away. He held on for the whole ride, I left the door of the carrier open so I could pet him on the way there (I wasn’t the one driving). When we arrived, the staff rushed him into an operating room in an attempt to stabilize him, and he lasted about 5-10 minutes after we got him there. I wasn’t able to be there when it happened, they only let me in the back to see him after his heart had stopped. I wanted to be there for him, but instead he died alone on a cold, metal table… Who knows, maybe being apart from me made it easier for him to let go… I should have made the decision to put him to rest sooner, so he wouldn’t be in so much pain… I don’t share quite as much of a bond with my other cats like I did with him, he genuinely loved me and he and I needed each other in our lives. I feel so lonely without him. The only reason I’ve been holding myself together is that I’ve been researching pets in the afterlife these past five days, stories of experiences with pet mediums, receiving signs from a deceased pet, pet reincarnation, etc.
Just loss my pit bull of 9 years to a snake bite.. Never in 100 years did I ever think he would have to be put down like that.. I’m grateful for all the steak dinners we had but I regret every walk I didn’t take with him. I’m taking some of his ashes this summer to Norman’s Cay in the Bahamas because that’s where I got his name from.. Rip Diego
3 days ago, I lost my cat who I had for 16 years. She did not come to me as a kitten. My Gracie and i had so much love to share. I wish I could have kept her forever. I am waiting for her ashes to come home still. This talk was helpful. Keep it up. So many people just don’t understand the connection that is lost. Rip my Gracie, I can’t wait til our reunion.
My wife and I just lost our 8 month year old puppy to a car accident yesterday morning. He was the best dog you could ask for. He always stole our socks but never chewed him. He honestly had a better personality than some people I know. We weren’t ready for this and we’re still in shock. We’ll miss you so much Finny boy.
I lost my dog of 15 years yesterday which I considered my child. It’s taking a toll on me . I cannot eat nor sleep. My family and I tried to prepare ourselves for this moment as we knew he was getting older. perusal him be so sick and nothing we could do will forever haunt me. Trying to be t peace with his passing but i miss him so much. I will never be the same ever
For those who grieve with the loss of a pet, hope this helps. We’ve had two dogs that we’ve had to have put down. The first one, Mitzi, pained me so much. We had to have her put down at only 7 years old because of complications of a kidney infection the vet missed. At this time I didn’t believe in an after life. I’m a 6 foot 200 lb. man and I cried like a baby for three days. Luckily, I was on vacation at that time. On my way to work the first morning back to work I felt her presence with me (it was amazing…but despite my prior convictions was open (being an open minded person) and went with it). I “felt” her saying “I just want to see where you go every morning…it must be a wonderful place because you go there so much.” I told her I was happy she came to find out. I went to work, and time to go home I felt her presence again. Lol…she said “that’s it? that’s where you go? What a boring disappointment…!…why do you go there?”. I told her that humans have tasks to perform for other humans, and because we do those tasks we get money to buy things we need to live. She didn’t understand the money part, so I told her money is like a treat, we trade that money for a place to live and food to buy. Lol…I felt she somewhat understood that but got the distinct feeling she thought it was a very silly way to do things. We got a second dog a couple years later. We named her “Cookie”. A couple years later, I’d had a heart attack and flat lined and had an amazing NDE. A few years later we had to have Cookie put down (she was 14 and had developed severe arthritis).
I lost my cat Billy 2 days ago suddenly and the pain and sadness I feel is excruciating. Knowing I couldn’t help him or do anything is breaking my heart but I know he is at peace and I will be with him again one day, I hope in his short life he felt all the love he was given every day from his family, and knows how much we will miss him
Thank you. I’m broken. My sweet baby transitioned yesterday. I knew it was coming the night before and we hugged and I spoke to him and held him and gave him permission to sleep. I was with him when the vet had to help us the next day. It was quiet and precious but I cannot stop crying. He was my family. Your talk helped me immensely.
If I was God I would also want to make animals live longer. They are so amazing and bring so much love into our lives. I love the words you use of living in preciousville. I try to live there a lot with my dog. I am thankful to be able to spend so much time together and so thankful we found each other.
I wanted to share a true story in hopes this will help someone who has animals. My dog was aprox 17 years old and had cancer of the tongue that had spread. I loved that animal like a child. I believe in Christ and every word the bible tells me. I had been praying to God that he show me a verse in the bible that Animals go to heaven or I wanted to find something that would give me peace that he cared for them. I read the bible for several months trying to find a verse to would put me at ease. I knew the day was coming when I would have to put him to sleep. I dreaded it with a passion. I just could not see my self doing that but I knew I had to one day as the pain of my animal cancer would progress. 3 days before I put my dog to sleep I was coming home and about 3 miles from home I saw the most beautiful rainbow so I pulled over and took a photo of it. The next day was 9/11 and I turned on the TV and saw the most beautiful rainbow on TV over the twin towers where they use to be. Then the 3rd day after seeing 2 rainbows I woke up that morning and my dog started struggling to breathe. I knew it was time to put her down so I got a family member and we took her to the vet and put her to sleep. I cried my eyes out and then I had to do some work about 1 hr away from where I lived. It started raining and I looked up and low and behold I saw another rainbow. I took a photo of it. That’s 3 rainbows in 3 days consecutive. I knew it was from the lord and I knew that the rainbows are from heaven.
My best friend, Biscuit is now 13 years old. He had surgery a year ago, and prior to that, he acted like a puppy. After surgery, he put in weight and started moving a lot slower. I am reminded every single day that we don’t have very many days left together and it crushes my soul. I cannot stand the thought of living in a world without him.
I’m 20 years old. Just lost one of my cats yesterday he was 15 and sadly died of cancer. I’ve never cried so much in my life. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Pets are family and when you lose a family member it is tragic. This article was very helpful however and don’t let anyone ever tell you it’s “just a pet”, it’s more like family in our eyes. Rest in piece Stitch❤️ See you at the Rainbow Bridge someday.
I have an appointment to put my 16 year old Jack Russell baby girl down… Two days from now. My mom wanted a dog, when I was 12. We got Mollie in December. My mom passed away the following month in January. I know Mollie was there to be my support animal at the perfect time… she watched me grow up, go through puberty, relationships, being a teen, & a mother…I’m sad to say goodbye, however I do feel greatful. This article is comforting. Thank you for speaking on this hard subject.
I`m here to support everyone who has lost their pet. My dachshund has passed away this morning in front of my eyes. My sweet boy Charlie. Heart attack. I`m devastated. He`s been my best friend for 12 years since I was a kid. We are to be grateful for all the happy moments we shared together and always remmember them 💔 Don`t be shy to express your grief, write a thank-you letter or make something in his (her) memory. I`m about to paint a picture. God rest his (her) soul 🙏
January 14th of this year, I had to say goodbye to my miniature pinscher Luke. He was suffering from pancreatitis, and later at the vet developed pneumonia. Since his passing, I’ve been overwhelmed with guilt. If only I had caught it sooner, or taken him to the vet sooner, or just done everything differently. Everyday since I have cried, held his urn, and told him how sorry I was. I do have some comfort, that upon arriving to the vet that day, he stood up, wagged his tail, and gave me kisses before laying down and passing away. However my heart is completely broken. I believe in the rainbow bridge, and I want to believe my baby is there, healthy, and running free. And someday, I truly hope that when my time is up, I will be greated by him, and my other dogs who one day will follow. I hope he knows how much I love and miss him, and that if I could do it over again I’d be a better owner. Luke, I love you baby boy. Until we meet again at the rainbow bridge <3
My precious, loving, kind Tyson passed away yesterday of cancer. I have never felt so helpless, heartbroken, sad, lost, and empty in my entire life. I am beside myself. Frustration comes with all these other emotions too. He was the glue that held my family together. I walked into the house tonight for the first time without him barking and running up to happily greet me. I just know this pain is never gonna stop. I just want him back. I want him home.
i lost my dog just 2 months ago, she was my bestfriend, we always did stuff together,run,play and watch tv. I went on a trip for two weeks, and came back home. One week after arriving, she gets sick, it has happened before so i gave her this treatment that would usually help me,it didnt this time. My father took her to the vet, telling us, she doesn’t have many days left. That hurt so much, and then the next day i was the last one to see her smile, we went to pick up my sister,coming back home, i was the first one to find her and last one to touch her.the only fact that hurts me is that i cant hear her barking when i get home.
Lost my 9 year old yorkie this morning at 2am. Kidney failure. It took him and us by surprise. The day we took him tot he vet and got bloodwork, he died the following morning. In his sleep. Me and my mom slept on the floor in the living room with him to make sure he was ok during the night. I can’t believe he was taken from us so quickly. We couldn’t even say goodbye properly. My mom woke up randomly at 2 and woke me up with her screams. Rushed to the E.R but he had already passed. We believe he woke up my mom to say goodbye. He will forever be with us and will come back to us as someone or something else. He was a fighter. Strong little fella. I don’t know how I’ll survive without him.
I just lost my little girl (senior dog) 2 days ago. Though it was 100% her time, it still hurts to know that she is gone. I had her for almost 14 years and one second does not go by that I do not think her. I am glad that I found this TedTalk. It obviously does not make the pain and loneliness go away but it is nice to know that I am not alone in how I feel. It is 100% ok to feel so heartbroken. I hope well all find some comfort soon.
I lost my sweet and loving chiwawa/corgi dog 2 days ago and feel completely devastated and heartbroken. She was my only family member and best buddy and now there’s a huge void in my life. Having said this I’ve learned from several nde accounts that people have encountered their past pets on the other side. Since they’re all love and no ego pets are actually closer in the spiritual realm than us humans. So yes, they do indeed have souls that enter the divine eternal consciousness when they leave they’re physical bodies behind back here in the physical realm. This believe provides great comfort that soon I will joyously be reunited with my furry friends when it my time to make the transition. But don’t get me wrong the grieving process is undeniably unbearable nonetheless.
I put my 9 1/2 year old pomeranian Little Bear to sleep April 5th of this year. Some people take a long time between pets. I got another dog a month later. I can sit holding my new dog crying on his shoulder while looking at pictures of Little Bear. I love my dogs so much, they are my life, my reason for getting up in the morning….I look forward to being with all of them someday…😊
beyond grief thinking of my 3 dog’s and 9 cat’s that have been a part of my life over the years. Rainbow Bridge is such a beautiful idea. I hope they know one day I will be crossing over and I will be looking for them; all of them and how much I have missed them. Of course I have new rescue fur babies and I whisper to them someday I will meet you on Rainbow bridge, promise. Maybe he”ll let me remain on rainbow bridge as the angel who stays with the animals so they aren’t lonely until “their human” arrives.
I lost Kuai, my beloved goat to a dog back in June. I was devastated and guilt-ridden because I felt it was my fault for not securing the goats pen against dogs and also she was nursing twin baby goats at the time. She was such a beautiful goat and because of her I bought more goats later and started a small goat farm. She also helped connecting to the local farming community. The story is, she ran off the first day I bought her and before long everyone in the village came to hear about it and was out trying to look for her. She was brought back to me after almost 3 weeks and has since had two pair of gorgeous twin kids. I will love you forever my beautiful Kuai, alive or dead. I promise I will make sure your two orphaned kids grow as strong and beautiful as you were. Wait for me at the rainbow bridge…
I just lost my baby 3 hours ago, She had to be placed to sleep and We didn’t want her suffering anymore, she had a stroke & was having trouble breathing. She was a Yorkie and God graced me with 14 years of companionship with her, to her last breath she was STRONG and showed me to be resilient…we all miss her physical presence but I know God will have us meet again with the rest of our loved ones 🐾💚🐾🌈
I lost my sweet cat Ebanizer yesterday. I feel so numb and empty inside. He had so much love in him to give us. Pure love. He was sick and was losing weight,he was skin and bones. Nevertheless he loved to eat and he always always jumped on your lap no matter where you are. Today I saw a dolphin jumping out of the water twice and I think it was him saying goodbye and that he made it safely to the other side. Rest In Peace. You are always will be remembered❤️🐈⬛❤️
Last month I had to say goodbye to my childhood dog. We had Mia for 14.5 years. She watched me grow up and I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t in my life. She was the best dog. So sweet and gentle. It was so so so hard to say goodbye to her. I can’t get over the fact that she’s gone. I hope she is my guardian angel.
I lost my dog of 18yrs on July 2019, been crying every day, I cry during dinner, shower, driving, when I pass pet section at the grocery, when I see others dogs with their owners, when I see the bag of her dog food in my kitchen cabinet, when I see her fur hair still embedded in her bed next me, I wish one day, I can give her fur hair to some intelligent being and I can spend endless days with her without any worries in the world loke the movie, I am just a human and the sadness is more than my heart can take…
My relationship with my dog is unreal. She is the most beautiful being and we communicate on the deepest level. We have always understood each other beyond words or expression can express. It’s such a deep connection. I can just feel her in my being. We both communicate with our angels and spirit guides… it’s so beautiful. I know I’ve been with her for so many lifetimes before. She makes me laugh and smile everyday and she is the greatest company I could ever ask for. The love is so real. She is the greatest gift. I remember the first time I looked into those precious eyes and I knew we were supposed to be together. It was such a pure love and a deep connection from first glance!! She is truly part of my soul!!
I lost my cat just this morning 21/7/19 at 06:25 and she was the only cat I ever allowed myself to love again after the death of my cat that I had for 12 years 2 years ago. I feel lost and as if I have nothing left. Most people I meet don’t seem to understand the bond between humans and their pets but the unconditional love my two cats have given me is better than any human could. The only thing that holds me together in these times is the thought of them together up there and that I will see them again. Some people may find it silly but I really wish for the existence of a ‘rainbow bridge’ or kitty heaven, where I can see my angels again. Miss you dearly and forever will. R.I.P. 😿
I had to put to sleep my baby girl yesterday! I swear a piece of me died as well. This pain that i have is sooo intense. I see and smell her everywhere I go. She had an adrenal tumor and it quickly progressed. One day she was fine the next she could barely stand and stopped eating. When I even tried to give her the usual faves like steak chicken or any delicious food she wouldn’t take it. That’s when I knew. She would NEVERRRR say no to food. I don’t know how to deal with this pain, I just want to know that I will see her again one day, she was my best friend and helped me through dark times. RIP Diamond, Love always, mom😢😢😭🌈🌉
I lost my dog a few months ago, but her spirit, her energy and light are still here with me. She is actually present moving around the house, over her bed and even travels out of the house with me. I have been lucky enough to capture her on my cheap cell phone. The high-def article cameras block her out when trying to make the image as clean as possible. She also lights up a K-2 meter regularly. There are other lights that I see also. And no they are not dust. They too light up the K2 meter. My Sweetie responds to me and interacts with me. When I’m out of the house in the car, I don’t leave the parking space until they light up the K2 meter. I don’t want them left behind or lost. I have no idea how the after life works, but I know it’s real and I don’t know if they know how to find me if I did leave them behind. So, I don’t chance it. They are all hard to see on camera the lighting must be just right, to light and it washes them out, to dark and you can’t see. You don’t see them with you own eyes only on the cell phone screen as you are recording and on the recording, though sometimes I think I see them out of the corner of my eye. They flicker in and out as the lighting and the angle they are being recorded at changes as they move around. And they can move like bullet or slower and glide around. Most times they are very fast. You may want to check around to see if your pet is still with you. They may not want to leave you and are waiting for you to cross over.I talk to my Sweeite and the other pets that are still here.
I lost my baby Santana April 17,2020, this was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to go through. I had to put him to sleep during this covid 19 pandemic I couldn’t hold his hand. I had to spend my last days with him at home . I cried so much to him telling him how much I’m gonna miss him and he licked my tears and assured me that we would be ok.. this gave me hope that I WILL SEE MY SWEET BABY AGAIN
On Tuesday I finally had to say goodbye to my beloved little girl cat Lulu aged nearly 20. she has been my shadow for 17 years since i picked her up from the rescue shelter. She was a tiny, stroppy, funny, totally independent, dear little soul who kept this silly human sane when everything seemed to be falling apart. Lulu, Papa loves you so much, we’ll be together again one day my darling. x
Thank you for this – I am about to have my cat Fluff aged 16+ years put to sleep probably next Monday – the day before Christmas Eve 2019. He is not in pain but can hardly eat and I know it is time for him to pass on. I will miss him so much yet I am so grateful for having him for 16 long years It’s strange, but I am both grateful and sad at the same time – Both he and my other cat have frequently come to me in vivid dreams or OOB experiences at night. I know their spirit lives on – it is just rather sad yet at peace at the same time. Stella Scotland – that’s him in my photo.
It’s been about a week and half since my cat, Chowder, was put down. I thought it would slowly get better but I feel worse and worse every day. It doesn’t seem fair to me that my cat brought me so much peace and was an innocent baby (only 5) and that he had to die when he didn’t deserve it, I hope he’s okay I love him more than anyone will ever know.
Wow, my 12 year old Newfie passed away on Dec. 14, 2017 from a cancerous tumor, and this article was published Dec. 15, 2017 and I found this article on Dec. 25. Maybe me finding this article was a Christmas gift from Ollie to help ease my pain of his passing? Ollie loved Christmas 🎄. I have been struggling emotionally with his passing and praying he is at the Rainbow Bridge. I told him to go there and wait for me as we will be together again some day. After finding this article, I feel a small sense of comfort that he is truly at the Rainbow 🌈 Bridge. Thank you so much for the sharing the article. I hope this article can comfort others as it has for me or at least take a little bit of pain away from others who have lost special family members. God Bless…
This past Saturday was a very sad day for our family. We had to say see ya later to our beloved Romeo. He was 16 and half years old. He was such a loveable loyal loving member of our family so aware of everything. Our best pal was there for everything and through everything we’ve been through as a family. He was a very special part of my life and in my recovery process with my Mutiple Sclerosis. He always knew what was going on and showed so much love to everyone. He had the heart of a lion and would play and hold his own with larger dogs haha he was fearless and everyone loved him. We will miss everything about our sweet boy. We love you I love you my best pal. I’m shattered. No longer by my side but forever in my heart. Run free til eternity Romeo 🌈
I lost my cat 2 nights ago and I’m just absolutely broken. He got me through 4 family deaths and it just completely guts me that I had such a raw and emotional connection. I’m not new to death, all my grandparents at 10 and my dad at 23 but losing my cat 25 is killing me. I love him and can’t wait to see him again
I just lost my sweet baby boy. He died in my arms suddenly and unexpectedly and it’s so hard to say goodbye. Saying thumper was my emotional support animal would be a huge understatement. He was my entire world. He helped me so much and pulled me out of a horrible depression. I love you so much Thumpy, you will always be my special baby and I hope you are up there doing binkies and eating lots of oats and bananas. I love you so much. Forever wouldn’t have been long enough. You are my soul mate. 🐰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🌈
I lost my chinchilla a few days ago. I wasn’t ready for her to leave me so soon, but she was likely older than I thought she was. I was very upset when Covid quarantine first started, but it did mean I got to spend a lot more time with her. I’m glad that I was around to show her so much love in her final days. It’s going to be really hard to get through the rest of this without her, but listening to the wise words of this woman are providing me with some much needed comfort
Lost my best friend today. Known him ever since my brain started developing consciousness and was able to create memories and every single one of them is nothing short of a long lasting miracle. It is an absolutely gut wrenching and eye gouging feeling to come home and not hear him bark at me and run up to me. But I know he’s in a much better place than we can ever imagine and the only solace I can get out of it is that nothing is really dead as long as you have those memories for them. Love you and miss you so much rocky it’s painful every day without you.