Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals: Finding Comfort after Losing Your Pet »

In this thoughtful book, Allen and Linda Anderson walk you through the numbing pain and dreadful sense of loss that arise when a beloved animal dies. They offer solace to help you deal with grief, remember and honor key moments in the animal’s life, find comfort through groups and with professionals, and get past the depression. They also include exercises, affirmations, and meditations to use through the various stages of grief. The Andersons’ caring, practical advice covers all aspects of pet loss, offering guidance on:

helping children grieve :: honoring your religious beliefs :: grieving for runaway pets :: helping others know what to say or do to console you :: planning an appropriate memorial ceremony or tribute

The book also explores the concept of after-death experiences of departed companion animals and relates many beautiful stories, including the Rainbow Bridge story, that reinforce the love and sense of peace that come from honoring the place animals hold in our lives.

Introduction: Friends at the Rainbow Bridge     xiii
Your Partners in Grieving
You Have History
You Have Friends Who Understand
The Rainbow Bridge
Rainbows and Bridges
How This Book Is Designed
Meditation: How My Life Would Have Been Different
Meditation: The Rainbow Bridge Reunion
Rainbows: The Colors of Saying Goodbye
Rainbow Blue - Organic Grieving     3
Organic Grieving
Rainbow Blue
Phases of Organic Grieving
Shock, Doubt, and Denial
Anger, Confusion, Resentment, and Blame
Guilt, Bargaining, and Regret
What to Do with Regrets and Guilt
Meditation
Sadness and Depression
Meditation
Relief, Resignation, and Acceptance
Try This Exercise
Meditation: Anger and Forgiveness
Meditation: The Effects of Grief
Rainbow Red - Remembering the Life of Your Angel Animal     23
Who Was This Animal to You?
Try This Exercise
The Day You Met
Meditation
Daily-life Memories
Try This Exercise
Prior to the Passing
Remembering the Moment of Death
Try This Exercise
Meditation
How to Remember Your Animal Companion's Death
Try This Exercise
Meditation: How We Chose Each Other
Meditation: How We Missed Each Other
Rainbow Yellow - The Spirituality of an Angel Animal's Death     39
Try This Exercise
Our Personal Beliefs about Animals, Souls, and Death
Meditation
Yellow Is the Spiritual Nature of Animals at Death
Meditation
Prana's Contract of Love
Meditation: Ask the Divine
Meditation: I Feel You Near Me
Bridges: Crossing Over the River of Grief Together
Covered Bridges- Shelters from the Storms of Pet Loss     51
Family and Friends
Try This Exercise
Seeking Professional, Online, or Group Support
Consoling the Surviving Animals in a Multiple-pet Family
Children and Pet Loss
Meditation: Who Are Your Covered Bridges?
Meditation: Who Else Is Hurting?
Swinging Bridges - Rituals That Heal and Beliefs That Cause Pain     67
Recognizing What Is Missing Now
This Exercise
Letting Go of Anger
How to Handle a Disagreement with Your Religion's Beliefs
Meditation
Rituals to Help You Mourn
Try This Exercise
Lasting Tributes to Your Animal Companion
Meditation: Commemorate Your Pet
Meditation: The Shimmering Light of My Dreams
Memorial Bridges - Memorial Services for Angel Animals     81
Keep It Simple
I Remember You Memorial Service
All God's Creatures Memorial Service
Together Again Memorial Service
Include the Other Animals
Meditation: Meeting You at the Rainbow Bridge
Meditation: Your Memorial Service
Golden Bridges - Angel Animals and the Afterlife     97
Afterlife Visitations by Animals
Communicating with Animals After Their Death
Try This Exercise
Spiritual Plane Animal Advocates
Meditation
Dreams of Animals Who Have Died
Try This Exercise
Grief Gauges
Try This Exercise
Getting Back into the Rhythms of Life
How Do You Know When You're Ready to Adopt Another Pet?
Try This Exercise
Do Animals Reincarnate?
Meditation: Come Back to Me
Meditation: The Transition from Life to Living Again
Afterword     115
Additional Meditations     117
Notes     123
Resources     131
Acknowledgments     143
About Allen and Linda Anderson     145