Quotations & Writings to Help You When Grieving Over a Pet

As part of the ongoing process of healing, it can be helpful to hold on to a powerful quotation and to read what others have written about such losses. We have collected some of the best poems and quotes about losing a pet to help comfort you during this difficult time.

Please let us know if you find any other similarly inspirational quotes. We would love to add them to this page.

Rainbow Bridge Poem

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)

Quotes and Poems

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. ”
(Anatole France)

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”
(James Herriot)

“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”
(Vicki Harrison)

“…love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”
(Kabil Gibran)

“It is a fearful thing to love what death can touch.”
(Anonymous)

“A pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered.”
(Lacie Petitto)

“If you have a dog, you will most likely outlive it; to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and, prospectively, to equally profound sadness.”
(Marjorie Garber)

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
(Jack Lemmon)

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
(Will Rogers)

“He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me… whenever… wherever – in case I need him. And I expect I will – as I always have. He is just my dog.”
(Gene Hill)

“My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.”
(Edith Wharton)

“A good dog never dies. He always stays. He walks besides you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter’s drawing near. His head is within our hand in his old way.”
(Mary Carolyn Davies)

“My grief lies all within, And these external manners of lament Are merely shadows to the unseen grief That swells with silence in the tortured soul.”
(William Shakespeare)

“Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.”
Author Unknown

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
(Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss))

“The season of mourning, like spring, summer, fall, and winter, will also pass.”
(Molly Fumia)