SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support

It's all about honoring the memory of your precious pet and best fur friend. This page is dedicated to ALL those wonderful pets - dogs, cats, horses, bunny rabbits, birds, fish and all other creatures great and small. I hope this blog space helps bring some comfort and support your way as you journey through the valley of grief. Losing a pet isn't easy, nor is it always understood by society. But, the good news is that more and more people are beginning to understand the animal-human bond between pets and their people. Our pets are truly part of our "familia" and they always will be part of the family. If you need someone to talk to, as you walk through this difficult road, do not hesitate to contact our support group. You are not alone! We are here for you. Call us at (210) 216-0920.

Come Pay Tribute to Your Pet

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, December 4, 2007, San Antonio, Texas - It's your opportunity to pay tribute to your precious pet during a special candlelight in memory of those faithful four-legged furry friends, who left paw prints of unconditional love ALL over our hearts, FURever!

If you have any questions, please call 210-216-0920 or e-mail SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net.

Honoring our beloved pets during the holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, and for some of us, that means it's the very first holiday season (Christmas) without our fur babies. But, you know, even if it's been four or fourteen years since they've left for Heaven, we still find ourselves missing them - don't we?

Here are a few things you can do to pay tribute to your precious pet this holiday season:

1. Buy a Christmas tree and decorate it in honor of your pet.

2. Have a Christmas wreath decorated with your pet's photos all around it.

3. Have a local artist paint a portrait of your pet (provide your favorite photo of your pet).

4. Donate to a local shelter in honor of your pet.

5. Help a stray pet find a good home.

6. Help an elderly person care for his or her pet.

7. Start a scrapbook in memory of your pet.

8. Start a Christmas ornament collection with your pet's name to pay tribute to him or her.

9. Foster a pet online at a local animal shelter (like the Animal Defense League).

10. Help provide comfort and support to someone who has recently lost a precious pet.

If you have other ways of memorializing a pet companion, please e-mail me at sappypetloss@sbcglobal.net, or leave a message on this blog Web site.

In Memory of Kipli

In Memory of Kipli, a beautiful Doberman-mixed doggie. Her mommy Susie pays tribute to her precious girl.

Dates of life: September 9, 1993 - August 25, 2007. Kipli loved riding in her mommy's car! In the photo, you can see her excitement, as she sits joyfully in the car! You can see Kipli's smile and happiness. She looks totally content in this photo.

She was the love of her mommy's life. She brought a great deal of joy to her mommy's world. She will be greatly missed by her human family, but there's no doubt that Kipli will be watching from heaven and protecting them each and every day. She will also be able to accompany her mommy every where. There's no place on the face of this earth that she can't go, because she lives right inside of her mommy's heart, forever! Kipli is now resting in peace and enjoying eternity in heaven with God.

In Memory of Ian

In Memory of Ian, from his mommy Nanci!

One of our pet parents sent us a photo of her precious fur baby Ian. Isn't he adorable? I know how much Nanci loved her baby and someday they will be reunited. Nancy, you were a fantastic pet parent to Ian. It shows right through him in this photograph. His smile is absolutely beautiful.

Thank you for sharing your baby with the rest of us pet parents.

And, always know that he lives deep within your heart, forever!

A Tribute to My Sappy

In Loving Memory of "SAPPY"
May 17, 1989 - August 4, 2003

The SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio was organized in 2003, shortly after my husband Jim and I lost Sappy, our 14-year-old Chihuahua to bladder cancer.

This year will mark four years that we said, "farewell" to our fur baby boy. Jim and I will be paying tribute to his life all month long. We celebrate his life in our hearts. We have plenty of wonderful memories of our baby boy and we will never forget him...never! We will honor him by lighting memory candles and bringing out beautiful photos of our best buddy. He will forever live deep inside of our hearts and in our memories.

Jim bought me a beautiful ring with paw prints on it, as a symbol of our never-ending love for Sappy. Every time I look at the ring around my finger, I can't help but remember my precious little Sappy. Plus, I've been wearing a small charm pendant with a photo of Sappy inside of it and a special heart with a paw print in the middle of it, given to me by my support group friends. I wear the two around my neck and close to my heart. Several people have asked me, "What is that around your neck? Is it a doggie picture? Who is it?" And, of course, I begin to share about my fur baby boy. It's my way of honoring his memory and paying tribute to him everywhere I go.

I'd like to share the following song (lyrics) with you. I love this song and it will be featured in this year's Tribute to Tails candlelight event in December. My brother Jesse who is a worship leader will sing this beautiful song. Read the lyrics of this song below--It really tells about the love we all share for our fur babies. It's a song about our loved ones in heaven letting us know that they're OK. Here are the lyrics to the song:

"Wish You Were Here"

I wanted to tell you how closely I've kept the memories of you in my heart and all of the lifetimes that we've had to share live even though we're apart

But don't cry for me 'cause I'm finally free to run with the angels on streets made of gold to listen to stories of saints new and old to worship our maker that's where I'll be when you finally find me...

Now don't you be weary 'cause waiting for you are wonders that you've never known just hold on to Jesus... reach out for His hands and one day they'll welcome you home. And that's when you'll be finally free

And, all of the dreams that you treasure will soon come together and that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow and you will rise again

Sappy truly made me happy! I'll always cherish him in my heart, always!
SONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0JqvPVAeY

Our pets are more than "just pets," they are truly part of our families. They are an important part of our daily lives. And, when the time comes for them to leave us, it's very difficult. That's why the SAPPY Pet loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio, was organized---to reach out to pet parents like you who need support during a very difficult and sad moment in the history of our lives.

If you or someone you know has recently lost a precious pet to an illness, old age, accident or displacement, please know that you're not alone. Come visit our support group.We care and we're here for you. If you have any questions about the SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio, please contact us at (210) 216-0920 or send an e-mail to
sappypetloss@sbcglobal.net.

Finding comfort in the midst of grief

Is it possible to find comfort during our grief?

Absolutely.

It is possible to find comfort, even when we're right in the middle of our grief. How do we find this comfort? We find it in our faith!

If you ask me how I found comfort, I'll tell you I found it in God. Having faith and knowing in your heart that God truly cares about your grief...about your loss, makes a difference. It really does!

And, sharing your feelings of sadness and loss with others is like finding a treasure. This support group helps put things into perspective. The people who come have one thing in commmon, they're hurting just like you are hurting, and for the same reason. No one has to feel embarrassed or ashamed to grief over a precious pet because everyone at the group gatherings share those feelings.

Come as you are! Leave supported. We're here for you!!!! Call for location information, (210) 216-0920.

Hope to see you there!

NOTE: If you would like for our group to hold you in prayer, please send us your prayer request and we will add you to our prayer list on Tuesday nights.