Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2026 – A Different Life
My beautiful Zoey – your memory is forever etched into my heart.
There have been many Rainbow Bridge losses in my life, each of them holding a unique spot in my heart. Grieving is never easy. There are the familiar stages of grief identified by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—that many of us experience in one way or another. But I have come to realize there is another layer. Not so much acceptance, but simply a different life.
Nine months have passed since my beloved soul kitty, Zoey, left this earthly world. Our life is quieter now, but I still perceive her imprint throughout the physical home we shared with her.
I see her sleeping on the pillow on our bed. I see her on the ottoman in the dining room, snuggled with her babies, Mia, Peanut, and Rolz. I see her every time I put six food bowls on the floor instead of seven. I see her sunning in the kitchen window, and I see her every time I walk into our guest bedroom, where she spent her final moments wrapped in my arms.
Even during Zoey’s last weeks with us, her kittens, Mia, Peanut, and Rolz cuddled with her on the ottoman.
Zoey had an enormous personality and an equally enormous impact on all of us—me, Dan, her kittens, and her catmates Kizmet, Jazmine, and Shadow. I miss her loud yowls as she pursued and “killed” plush toys scattered about the house, her soft purrs, and the feel of her silky fur when she sat on my lap. I miss her fussy eating habits, her insistence on drinking water from the faucet, and the way she curled up next to me on the couch each evening.
Many Bengals have a penchant for water, and Zoey was no exception.
Like I said, not so much acceptance, because how can I ever truly accept her loss? Life is simply different. And her absence is magnified by the bittersweet realization that, as I look at each of her surviving kittens, one day their chapters will end, too.
All I can do is love and spoil those still with me—fiercely—and be grateful for the incredible memories those I have loved and lost have left behind.
I give all of you who have loved and lost a beloved companion my deepest sympathy and support. Every day is a day to remember them, but consider today an extra-special hug from me to you.
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a special day dedicated to honoring the memories of those beloved pets in our lives we have loved and lost but never forgotten. Whether a pet with fur, fin, feathers, scales, or something else – one pet or many – this day was created for you to honor that pet in any way that feels most comfortable to you. Post a picture, write a poem, share a favorite memory, host a memorial event, upload a video, or write a special blog post and share the link.
ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded in 2015 by Deborah Barnes, award-winning author and blogger of Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles, in tribute to her Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, whom she had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her critically acclaimed book, Purr Prints of – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond, and decided to create the day in his honor so others around the world could share memories of pets they had loved and lost.
Graphic designed by Deb Barnes
You’re right, Deb. I don’t think it’s so much “acceptance” we come to but a new “normal.” We have to learn to live without our precious babies in their fuzzy little bodies, but they are never really gone. We may not be able to see or touch them everyday anymore, but their spirits come to visit. They find ways to let us know they are there, still loving us. And we learn to live in a different way. I still see my heart kitty (Carmine) quite often. I know that Zoe is watching over you all and waiting for the day you can be together again. <3
That is so true, Sierra. The new normal is never quite the same, but we do learn to live on, keeping their memories close to our hearts. Sometimes I can still feel the softness of Zoey’s fur on my hands.
As always, we thank you, Deborah, for sharing this special time with all of us each year. Though we will have those moments ~ hours ~ days, when there are reminders of those who came before, it is always good to set aside time to truly reflect on how very much they each gave into our lives. Each one in their own unique, individual way. I think to some of my beloved pets ~ some not as affectionate as I may have wanted. Yet always there when the need arose, somehow they had that sense, above and beyond we humans, to just know. And yes, there have been dogs in my life as well, equally loved. When all is said and done, I can never imagine not sharing life with the best of God’s creatures … yes, the best.
Yes, Ann. So well put. The pain of grief can be overwhelming, but ultimately, the love and joy brought into our hearts and homes are what it’s all about.
That was such a nice post but our new normal pretty much is the pitts right now.
I’m so sorry, Brian’s Home. We will keep your precious Seal in our thoughts today.
I understand about new normals. We never forget those furbabies that left their pawprints on our hearts. Hugs as you remember your sweet angels today.
Thank you Island Cats. Hugs to you as well.
Beautiful post. Thank you for hosting this special event.
An absolutely touching tribute to your beautiful Zoey. I am so very sorry for your loss. Our furangels are so very missed and live on in our memories and our hearts forever. You are so right, we never get over the losses or get past it. It becomes part of us and we live differently in the void of after they have left our lives. How fortunate we were to have these amazing loves in our lives. But time is so surreal and passes way too quickly. My only wish is they could be with us for much longer.
Thank you for creating this day and hosting the blog hop in memory of all of our beloved, and dearly missed, furangels.
We are fortunate for all the little beings brought into our hearts and homes. And thank you for writing that wonderful book on pet loss for children – it can be especially challegning for them, so it is wonderful to see your book is endorsed by the APLB.
Beautiful post and tribute to your angels. I am thankful for all my angels. Losing them is so hard, but I will always choose the pain for the honor of a life with them. XO
Marc Bekoff is a biologist, ethologist, behavioral ecologist and author of several books. In Bekoff’s 2007 “Animals Matter” are words worth sharing : “Animals are not property or ‘things’, but rather living organisms, subjects of a life, who are worthy of our compassion, respect, friendship and support.” YOU beautifully provide the compassion, respect, friendship and support of your furry family in their lives and beyond. Thank-you for this and each year’s Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. P.S. Another of Bekoff’s books is “The Emotional Lives of Animals” which was an enlightening read.
Thank you, Ellen. Your kind words touched my heart. I will have to look at Marc Bekoff’s books. They sound fascinating.
Purrs from us today, Deb. For you, for us, and for all grieving households.
Thank you, Leah. For all who are grieving.
Our beloveds never leave us. They ascend to another, MUCH better, Loving and Comforting Place, where they watch over us and wait for us to join them, as we surely will in due time. We cannot see, hear, or touch them, and we grieve — for ourselves, for our own deep loss. We endure, and we go on in this earthly life, because we must. We have work to do, and others to share love, safety, and comfort with. Our loved ones watching over us want us to do that, as we have for them.
Love, and the soul, are eternal.
I surely do hope so jmuhj. So much love to look forward to.