Origin of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Did you know that August 28th is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day? According to Days of the Year.com,
[T]his 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.”
Moreover, our pets serve as furry family members and friends for us. From service animals that help the disabled to K9 police dogs, all animals share a special place in our lives and heart. Celebrating this day gives us a moment to reflect and pay tribute to them now and forever.
Did you know?
If you have suffered the loss of a pet, like I have, then you may be familiar with the Rainbow Bridge poem. To quote from Days of the Year.com,
[It] carries on an ancient tradition of memorializing our beloved pets with the same care and consideration as our departed human family. Pharaohs would entomb and mummify their cats, and animals of all sorts have been found in ritualized burials. The Ancient Egyptians buried their pets with all the things they would need in their afterlife, just like the humans that were mummified and buried. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day celebrates these ancient traditions and reminds us that there’s no reason for them to fade.”
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Let this be a day to remember our furry friends now and forever. If you are looking for additional resources for support and comfort, check out the following links.
Check out some of my popular blog posts dealing with pet loss below.
Pet loss Support Resources
https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/
Coping with the death of a pet
Healing & Inspirational Poetry
http://www.petloss.com/poems/poems.htm
My girls earned their angel wings
Mommy loves you now and forever Precious and Dusty!
Free Resources
Last but not least, I have provided a few resources of my own to help you start your path to healing available here on the blog. Pick up your free downloadable Rainbow Bridge poem and Ebooks below. (Downloadable PDFs will be delivered to your email.)
Post originally published 8/28/2017. Updated August 2021.
Share your thoughts
Have you grieved the loss of a beloved furry family member? Do you have a friend that is a bereaved pet parent? Do you think any of these resources mentioned in the post can help them heal? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to give your beloved furry friend a shout-out below.
Our pets are such a special and important part of our lives. I love that there is a day focused on honouring those that have passed. They may not be physically with us any longer, but they continue to hold a place in our hearts and always will.
Britt,
Well said!!
It is amazing how pets touch their humans’ lives. I have had many people tell me the story of their pets’ passing when I tell them that I love pets. It is something that I think makes connections between people regardless of whatever other divisions they might have.
Robin,
So true! I can testify to that too! The love of animals brings people together.
Some great resources! Precious & Dusty are so adorable. I often think of my rainbow bridge pets, even the ones who have been gone for many, many years now. It’s sweet to have a special day especially dedicated to them.
Michelle,
I couldn’t agree more and thank you!
I didn’t realize August 28, today, is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. I love the idea. I will certainly a few minutes today to remember all my furry friends I’ve lost over the years. Oddly enough, yesterday was the anniversary of one of my cat’s death. She was such a goofball and so lovable! Thanks for sharing!
Terri,
You’re welcome and I’m sorry for your loss of your cat. I’m happy to bring attention to this special day to remember our pets. Honestly we always hold them in our hearts daily. 🙂
purrfect post for today!!!! Thank you for sharing and I didn’t know that Deb made it on “Days of The Year” YAY!!!
Yep! 🙂 Glad to share too.