8th Annual Tribute to Tails Candlelight Memorial - Dec. 4, 2010

SAPPY group deals with love and loss of animal friends

By Aimee Villalobos - Staff writer/Northwest Weekly

Julie Wiley will never forget her long-haired Chihuahua, Sappy, who passed away in 2003.

“It doesn't get any easier,” she said. “You love all the pets you have in your life, but with Sappy I really bonded with him through a lot, and he was the first being that I truly loved that I lost.”

After their dog's death, said Wiley, she and her husband were devastated and found themselves alone in their sadness.

“We felt like there was not a place to grieve, especially for a pet,” she said.

She decided to take action, and seven years later the S.A.P.P.Y. Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio still meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the English Tea Shoppe on Bandera Road. The Christian-based support group, Wiley says, pays honor to her “Sappy Wappy” with its acronym, which stands for Someone is Always Praying for Pets and You.

Wiley said many first-timers come to the group with a lot of questions.

“Is it normal that I'm grieving my pet more than, say, mom or dad?” she said. “You leave home, you grow up and start a new life and they (pets) are so much a part of your routine and life that it's okay. It's just the kind of love you had for your pet.”

Wiley said the number of members varies from month to month, but all newcomers receive a packet that includes a candle, grief and loss information as well as a rainbow ornament with the Rainbow Bridge poem, an ode to pets' place in heaven.

Wiley said many struggle with the idea of where their pets end up, something she has been through firsthand.

“I clung to my Bible and searched and asked and wrote a lot of theologians, and I believe they (pets) will see us in heaven,” she said.

Frank and Maureen Ballard have been coming to the group since 2005 when they lost Frieda, a terrier mix.

“I said, ‘We're gonna need some professional help,' Maureen Ballard said. “I burst into tears every few minutes.”

Frank Ballard said he was glad a group like this existed for him and his wife.

“Most people don't understand, and I'm thankful for this group,” he said. “How do you replace a family member? That's the way I look at it.”

Members are encouraged to share their stories and work through the grieving process together.

“The road to healing is easier if you talk about it,” Wiley said. “We're made to support one another.”

Carole Fink lost her dog Junior in 2006 and has attended meetings ever since.

“I said, ‘She's (Julie Wiley) like an angel' because nobody cares, and people think you're silly to cry over a little old dog, but she understood,” she said.

Fink said it has been a lengthy process, but she has found comfort in the group.

“Junior was like my best friend. We went everywhere together,” she said. “He was so deep in my heart. It's been three long years, but I have a new puppy.”

Wiley said people are taking a step towards healing every time they come to a meeting because they are addressing their grief.

“It's a loss. A loss is a loss,” she said. “When you lose your job, you grieve.”

Wiley said there is no timetable to healing, but it does happen.

“I'm a testament to say those million pieces (of your heart) that are crushed heal,” she said.

For more information on the S.A.P.P.Y. Pet Loss & Grief Support Group, visit http://sappypetlosssupportgroup.blogspot.com.

*SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio

(Since 2003)

2011 Schedule

The support group gathers on the 4th Tuesday of the Month

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The English Tea Shoppe

6877 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238 (in Leon Valley)

September 27

October 25

November 22

December 27

Tribute to Tails

Our 9th Annual Tribute to Tails Candlelight event, a unique ceremony honoring and celebrating the animal friends in our lives will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 4242 Bluemel Road, San Antonio, TX. This event pays tribute to all furry friends who are no longer with us, and celebrates the animal companions in our lives today (pets are welcome to attend this event).

For more information about our support group or Tribute to Tails event, please call (210) 216-0920 or e-mail to SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net or Tribute2Tails@yahoo.com. Find us on Facebook! Tribute to Tails San Antonio or SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio.

*The support group was named for the founder's 14-year-old Chihuahua Sappy, who passed away on August 4, 2003, after a brief battle with bladder cancer.

The 7th Annual Tribute to Tails drew dozens of pet parents from across San Antonio on December 5, 2009. Pet parents filled the Parish Hall at St. Francis Episcopal Church, as they honored the memories of their cherished family pets.

Join us for the 7th Annual Tribute to Tails Candlelight Memorial

SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
6 - 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Episcopal Church
4242 Bluemel Road
San Antonio, TX
Contact: Julie Wiley
(210) 216-0920

Free to the Community

If you have questions about our event, please call us at (210) 216-0920 or e-mail to Tribute2Tails@yahoo.com.

FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLIER AND SHARE WITH YOUR PET LOVER FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Also, be sure to join "Tribute to Tails" on Facebook.

In Memory of My Sappy

(May 13, 1989 - August 4, 2003)

I can still remember the day I welcomed Sappy into my heart. I was fresh out of college and starting my career when Sapster joined me on this journey of life.

He brought so much joy into my life. I will never forget my fur boy! Sappy was tiny when I first laid eyes on him. He was so very precious. He was fast asleep, covered with a small blanket inside a basket decorated with ribbons. He was my college graduation gift. He was the BEST gift of all. I received money, clothes, furniture and jewelry from family members. But, none could compare to my new little dog name Sappy. He quickly became my roommate. How he got his name is a long story.

Today marks six years since he left for his own journey to Heaven. I know without a doubt that he's there! And, I know that someday I will see him again. I will join him on the most awesome journey of all - eternity with God! I look forward to that reunion. For now, I will wait and continue to serve God each day because I know He has more for me to do on earth. Today, Jim and I pay tribute to our little Sappy. We will honor his memory today and always! He lives deep within our hearts and we will never forget him. That little dog changed our lives in a HUGE way. He was truly a gift from God. So we Thank God for allowing us to love this precious creature for 14 years. He's now fully restored and in perfect health. We can't wait to see him again! -We love you, Sappy. Rest in peace. Your pet parents, Julie & Jim

In memory of Sappy. We invite you to join our network of pet parents at: http://tributetotailssanantonio.ning.com/

Below is one of our favorite poems.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Blessings of the Animals

Bring your furry friends for a special blessing today!

Saturday, October 3
9 - noon
St. Francis Episcopal Church
4242 Bluemel Road
San Antonio, TX

For more information, call (210) 696-0834
or visit http://www.sfcsa.org/

Receive a Certificate of Blessing and St. Francis medal for your furry friend.

Visit with various local animal groups and organizations, including:
Over the Top Agility, Tribute to Tails & SAPPY Pet Loss Support Group, Pampered Pawz n Paws In Heaven, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Animal Welfare Society for Cats, Camp Bow Wow, Paws In Heaven Pet Crematory and Fifi & Fidos Pet Boutique.

—Free to the community—

ATTENTION: Girl puppy needs a good home
Another precious fur baby needs to be placed in a good, loving home. There are so many of them. It breaks my heart to learn about so many wonderful stray/homeless dogs who are being dumped across our city. Please help spread the word about this baby who needs a good, forever home with pet parents who will love and treat her as part of their family.

This female puppy is a larger dog but still pretty young, probably under a year. She knows how to sit and is sweet but we think she was dumped two or three weeks ago and has been too scared to come to anyone until now.

She was pretty thirsty and hungry - poor thing. She is so cute!!!!

If you know of anyone who would be interested in adopting this sweet girl, please let me know and I will provide you with the contact information.

Please call us if you are interested at (210) 216-0920.

Thanks for your help! God bless you.

Jim & Julie Wiley
(210) 216-0920

When Grief Comes

Whether you've had a pet companion for one week, six months or 15 years, it hurts deeply when the time comes to say farewell. When my husband Jim and I released our precious little Sappy boy to God in Heaven, it was devastating. Euthanizaton was the most difficult decision we ever had to make in our lives. But thank God for our faith and hope! We know that all of God's creatures are in His care, and that He is in control of everything.

If you find yourself grieving the loss of a faithful furry friend, please know that you are absolutely not alone. Jim and I organized a group for pet parents in need of support. We started the group gatherings in September of 2003, a little more than one month after we lost Sappy to bladder cancer. The group has been meeting since then. We even organized a special candlelight service to pay tribute to our furry friends. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. We usually hold this event in early December. This year will mark the 7th year. We look forward to celebrating Sappy again, along with hundreds of other animal friends at the event.

This year's Tribute to Tails will be offered on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in San Antonio, TX. Hope to see you there!

If you have any questions about our support group or Tribute to Tails, please contact us at (210) 216-0920. We are here for you!

Thank you and God bless you,
-Jim & Julie Wiley