The death of a beloved pet, whether it’s the family dog, a furry kitty, or something a little more obscure, is a sad occasion. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day on August 28 is the day that we remember the pets that are no longer with us. Whilst the pain of losing a pet somewhat heals over time, they are never forgotten, and today is their day. The day was founded by author Deborah Barnes as a way for people to share their memories of the pets that they have lost, whether it’s a dog, a hamster, or a snake.
We have all had pets that we have loved as family members, ones that were like our little furry children. But like all family members, there comes a time when they pass from this world, and often this leaves us with a profound feeling of loss and pain. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day celebrates our furbabies who have passed before us.
History of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded by Deborah Barnes, author and blogger of Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles in tribute to her Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, who she had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her book, Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond and the reaction from her readers was so overwhelming, she decided to create the day in his honor as a way for others across the world to share memories of their own pets they had loved and lost. Whether a pet with fur, fin, feathers, scales, or something else – one pet, or many – the day is meant to honor the pet in any way that feels most comfortable to the pet guardian, such as using social media sites to post a picture, write a poem, share a favorite memory, upload a video, write a special blog post, or other methods like creating a special outdoor memorial.
How to celebrate Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is dedicated to celebrating our past pets, and the best way to celebrate it is to have a day of remembrance for your passed pets. You can also go to Rainbow Bridge and establish a digital memorial so that the world will always remember them. Our pets are such important parts of our lives that they deserve to be remembered. Whether you post it digitally online, or create a memorial in your backyard, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is your reminder to spend some time honoring your past pets.
History of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Deborah Barnes had to say goodbye to her cat, Mr. Jazz, on August 28, 2013. Deborah published an emotional book that detailed her journey of letting Mr. Jazz go, it was called “Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale Of Life, Death and Beyond.”
After the book was released Deborah received an overwhelming reaction from those who had read it. People reached out to Deborah to share their own stories of a pet passing, and Deborah realized that her journey was being mirrored by others and that a pet dying was a deeply emotional time for many.
So, in honor of Mr. Jazz, and for all the readers who were touched by her book, Deborah decided to create Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day as a chance for people across the world to share their stories and memories of pets that they have loved and lost. It was in 2015 that the holiday was first observed, and now each year on August 28 people are taking time out to remember their pets.