[OUCh]
One Unwanted Change

Saying Goodbye

Losing a pet cat is losing a family member. You have to take time to grieve and slowly let go. Although nothing will ever replace her, keep your heart open to the idea of getting another friend to fill the void. One day you may look into the eyes of another cat and instantly know another feline friend is looking back at you.

Ways in which you can memorialise your cat:
Scatter flower seeds in your garden or other place such as a favourite walk
Light a candle on significant anniversaries
Make a book of memories
Put their photo in a beautiful frame
Make a box of memories: Keep special momentos of your time together - this could include their collar, favourite toy, blanket, photos, or other meaningful items
Celebrate their life by giving a home to a rescued animal whose future may be otherwise bleak

Write a letter to your cat telling her how much you valued having her share her life with you. Keep in a special place or bury it in the garden along with a photo of the animal if desired. Plant symbols of remembrance on top, such as Poppies, Forget-Me-Nots, Rose Loving Memory, Clematis Fond Memories or Rosemary...

The herb rosemary, known for it’s magical and religious uses throughout the years is traditionally used to aid memory. Mourners would throw sprigs of rosemary into graves, a symbol that the dead would not be forgotten. I laid my cat Poppy to rest on sprigs of rosemary...

"There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love, remember.
- William Shakespeare

If your cat had a favourite place by a plant or tree where she liked to sit take a flower or leaf from them and press between the pages of a book for a keepsake.

Volunteer:
Volunteer to work for a cat charity such as the Cats Protection
There are several ways in which you can help an animal charity -
Foster an animal until they can be found a new home
Take part in fund raising activities
Sponsor cat pens
Help with cat grooming and socialising

To honour my cats memory I donated some of my time to volunteering in animal fundraising charity shops as I wrote about in this volunteering article.

If you have lost a beloved pet you may like to:
Read Rainbow Bridge - a moving poem of consolation by an anonymous author.

My cats, here you read about the cats that inspired paws on floors.

Read my short story The Cat That Was - A heart-warming story of healing and new beginnings.

Helpful websites:
The Blue Cross, Britain's pet charity, runs the Pet Bereavement Support Service and telephone helpline (0800 096 6606).
It provides advice and counselling through Telephone and Email Befrienders who are trained to deal with pet bereavement problems.
http://www.bluecross.org.uk

The Animal Samaritans run a pet bereavement service which offers understanding and support for those who have recently lost a beloved pet.
http://www.animalsamaritans.org.uk

EASE offers a pet bereavement support service.
http://www.ease-animals.org.uk