Say goodbye to your beloved animal companion with this comforting ritual.
There’s no way around it: it’s devastating to lose an animal friend.
I wish I could offer a way to alleviate the excruciating emotional pain. I can’t.
What I can do is offer some perspective to help navigate the grief, as well as a ritual to support the transition.
First, the perspective.
- Let the guilt go. As the caretaker of our beloved pets, when they die, we often can’t help but feel there was something we could have done to save them or to make their time on earth more comfortable. As real as these thoughts may seem in the haze of your grief, they aren’t actually true, and it’s time to let them go. You did your best. You were your pet’s hero. It was just his or her time to go.
- Surrender to the process of grief. As I mentioned above, like with any loss, there is no way around the grief. You have to go through it. And it takes time! So breathe deeply. Breathe into the pain, and let it be a portal into the immense, inspiring wellspring of love that you and your pet have shared.
- Know that your beloved pet is not actually gone. Even though you no longer get to be present with your loved one in the physical world, he or she is not actually gone. Everything is energy, so nothing actually dies, but just changes form. If you tune in, you can feel your beloved pet’s presence, even still. And if you tune in further, you can perceive him or her in a realm of happiness, wholeness, and radiant light.
And now the ritual.
You will need:
- One or more framed pictures of your beloved pet (alone or with others)
- A candle
- Other offerings such as fresh or dried catnip for a cat, a bone or treat for a dog, favorite toys, etc.
- A sweetgrass braid (plus a lighter or matches and a dish to catch burning embers)
Create a small altar with the photo(s), candle, and offering(s). Light the candle. In your mind’s eye, see the light from the candle expand to fill and surround the altar and to create a portal of light between this realm and the other side.
Safely light the sweetgrass braid so it’s smoking like incense and smudge the area around the altar. Be sure to carry a dish beneath it to catch any burning embers, and to extinguish it fully by sealing in a jar or running under water.
Return to the altar and visualize your beloved pet on the other side, in a realm of pure happiness and joy. See him or her playing or luxuriating in this realm while emanating vibrant health and wellness. Tap into the deep knowing that on some level, it was your pet’s choice to enter this realm at this time. As much as possible, feel happy for his or her transition into this realm of light, even as you shed your tears and experience your grief.
You can also call on angels and/or other divine helpers of your choice to be with your pet and watch over him or her on the other side. Let the candle burn all the way down, extinguishing and lighting again as safety dictates.
When you’re ready to dismantle the altar, place biodegradable offerings outside on the earth and donate toy(s) to an animal shelter.
I’m sending sincere sympathy to you and wishing your loved one the happiest of travels on the other side. Brightest blessings and lots of love to you both.
I just loss my girl 2 days ago. I am raw with grief and consumed with guilt and can’t stop crying. She was ten years old and had a mass on her spleen, no way to know if it was cancer w/o surgery. We made the agonizing decision not to do surgery to keep her from suffering any more, but I can’t stop wondering…what if. I will definitely perform this ritual to try to help myself through this and maintain a connection with. My mom passed away 2 years ago and this actually feels worse to me than that did so I need a lot of healing! I have no idea where to get sweet grass?? Glad I found your site, thank you so much!
Beth, I am so so sorry about your loss. You definitely made the right decision, as you were acting selflessly and with her comfort in mind. If you can’t find sweetgrass in a metaphysical store or health food store near you, you can find it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2IcTwLO
Thank you for your kind words. I just placed an order on Amazon for some sweetgrass.
Thank you for this, as I was saying bye to my beloved dachshund/yorkie who was 6 years old. I was saying to her that Goddess will protect you and play nice with Townie(my daughter’s cat, who passed 4-1-18) and play with my Grandma who loved you. I had crystals around my Raven, I feel so guilty but I know she will be at peace and out of pain.
R.I.P. RAVEN
2013-2019
Holly, I’m so sorry. Sending love to you and Raven.
Thank you so much. I’m doing this ritual tonight under the full moon!
Blessed Be
Holly
i lost my baby boy cocoa he’s a dog at the age of 14 he died today he got hit by a car i wish it was me instead of him i really hate myself if i didn’t leave then this would have never happened we buried him in our backyard i just wish i can say goodbye one last time coca baby if you’re still here i really truely am so sorry that i wish i died instead of you.
I’m so sorry for your loss! Sending love. Please know that this is just something that happens and that your guilt and heartache will fade over time. Cocoa forgives you, and it really was his time to go.
Tomorrow is the day my best friend will leave the physical world . He been be my side for 14 years . Thank you for your word I will be doing this in his honor thank you again . Blessed be
Matty, I’m so sorry to hear it. Sending love your way and sending love to your best friend too.
Thank you for this, I’ll definitely be trying this soon. I have to put my puppy girl of 14 years down in a couple days and I’m absolutely and completely heartbroken. She’s one of the great loves of my life and anything that can maybe help me through this is much needed.
Angela, that is heartbreaking! I’m so sorry.
I lost my girl of 15 years today. Thank you for this ritual as it helps me cope with the loss and helps me set my girl free.
Ariana, I’m so sorry. Animal loss is devastating. Sending love to you and your girl on the other side.