There is a hole in my heart, deep within my soul, left behind with the passing of my fur baby. My husband (then, fiancé) and I got Roxie together when I was heading off to college. She was with us every step of the way as we grew into adults. We snuck her into my dorm room at Butler, took bike rides to Broad Ripple with her in tow, and brought her along to New Year’s Eve parties. After graduating, she came with me to the office and trips to Starbucks. She was at home waiting patiently when we brought home each of our babies, and always happy to greet us whenever we entered the back door. Needless to say, Roxie had a very full life with lots of love!
Losing Roxie was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. My daily routine was different without having to feed her or give her medicine twice daily. I would walk through the back door expecting to see her wiggly body greet me in the kitchen, but she was no longer there. As I walked down the stairs my eyes would immediately go to the corner under the armchair that she napped beneath, but it was empty. There was a huge void in my life and I wasn’t sure it would ever be healed. With time, though, it has gotten easier and we have all gotten more comfortable with our new normal. As time passes, I’m able to look back and smile at all of the wonderful memories. Sure, there are still times where I miss her so badly and can’t hold back the tears, but I am so very grateful for the time that we had together and the love that we shared throughout those fifteen years she was with us.
We will always be honoring Roxie and remembering all of the fun times we had with her. Because her passing was so hard for us, I want to ensure that we focus on cherishing the memories above all else. If you, too, are looking for ways that you can honor the memory of your lost pet here are a few ideas:
- Look through pictures & videos of your pet
Kids will especially enjoy going through old photos to see mom and dad in their younger days, or themselves as babies - Light a candle & share your favorite memory with your pet
Even if your pet was your first (fur)baby, they also played a major role in your kids’ lives. It will warm your heart like none other to hear the memories that your children share - Write a poem/story
Older kids can help write the story and younger ones will love to draw the pictures to help tell the story about your pet’s life (or what they’ve been doing since crossing the rainbow bridge) - Hold a memorial service in your backyard
Share a memory, let off sky lanterns, and send messages up to your lost pets
