MidAmerica Rottweiler Rescue

Pet loss is something we don’t talk about nearly enough, and honestly, it’s something most of us never want to think about.

As pet owners, it’s the one thing we hope we’ll never have to face, even though we know our time with them is never long enough. Knowing it will happen someday doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.

Recently, one of our MARR team members had to say goodbye to her beloved Rottweiler. Through her grief, she found comfort in a few resources and wanted to share them in hopes they might help someone else walking this same difficult path. ❤️

Grief over a pet is real. They aren’t “just dogs”they’re family. They greet us at the door, make us laugh on our hardest days, comfort us when we need them most, and love us without conditions. Losing them leaves a hole that’s impossible to explain unless you’ve experienced it yourself.

Whether your best friend crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday or years ago, it’s okay if you still miss them, you always will. It’s okay to cry, tell stories about them, smile at old photos, and grieve in your own way. There is no timeline for healing, and there is no “right” way to grieve. Love like theirs leaves a mark on our hearts forever.

If you’re struggling, please know you don’t have to carry that grief alone. If you’re grieving the loss of a beloved pet, here are a few resources that may offer comfort, support, and someone to talk to when you need it most.

🤎Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
• Website: aplb.org
• Free online chat rooms, support groups, articles, and grief resources.

🤎ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline
• Phone: 1-877-474-3310
• Website: aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/pet-loss

🤎Iowa State University Pet Loss Support Hotline
• Phone: 1-888-478-7574

🤎Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline
• Phone: 508-839-7966
• Website: vet.tufts.edu/petloss

🤎Michigan State University Pet Loss Support Hotline
• Phone: 517-432-2696

🤎Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Pet Loss Helpline & Support Group
• Phone: 630-325-1600

🤎Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
• Phone: 607-253-3932
• Website: vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/pet-loss-support

🤎University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine C.A.R.E. Helpline
• Phone: 877-394-2273
• Website: vetmed.illinois.edu/animal-care/pet-cemetery/care-helpline

If this post helps even one person feel a little less alone, it’s worth sharing. If you know someone who may be grieving the loss of a beloved pet, consider sharing this with them or simply reaching out to let them know you’re thinking of them.

To everyone missing a beloved pet today- whether it was yesterday or many years ago, please know you are not alone in your grief. Your feelings are valid, your love is real, and it’s okay to take all the time you need to heal. We see you, we understand, and we’re sending you love. 🤎

Until we meet them again, they’ll be waiting for us just beyond the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈🪽