Sept. 9 is National Pet Memorial Day and provides grieving pet owners a special holiday to honor cats they have lost.
“As pet owners, we experience laughter, joy, unconditional love, frustrations, sorrow and other human emotions with our pets,” says Claire Chew, a pet bereavement specialist. “As a member of our family, the grief we feel for them has many layers. This day is a personal time to reflect on the loss [and] remember the many gifts they have brought us.”
Ways to honor cats that have passed on include:
* Create a living memorial by planting a tree or flower
* Put together a pet scrapbook
* Burn a candle
* Make a donation to a rescue group or animal charity
Chew added that she’ll honor her dog, Sophie, who passed away, with meditation, a candlelight ceremony and making contributions to various charities.
“Sophie is a constant reminder of how much our furry angels mean to us,” she adds.