Pets of the Month for JUNE 2018
ALL of the over 70 Blessed Innocent Spirits
That were lost on July 2nd in the Tragic fire at Aylmer SPCA

Below is from The SPCA of Western Quebec Facebook Page:

LOSS AT SPCA OF WESTERN QUEBEC

"As you are all aware, the SPCA Western Quebec suffered a tremendous loss on July 2, 2018. We are devastated by the loss of over 70 animals in a late night fire that completely destroyed our shelter. Firefighters were able to save 6 dogs who are currently being cared for by the SPCA de l'Outaouais. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation."

"During its 30 years of operation, the SPCA Western Quebec has housed and cared for thousands of homeless and discarded animals who were at risk of being euthanized. Animals came to us from many places, including from communities in Quebec,Ontario, Nunavut and the United States. The staff and volunteers put their hearts and souls into this organization each and every day. Knowing that we were able to help find adoptive homes for so many animals brought joy to so many. To say thatthe last 30 hours have been difficult and devastating is an understatement. There are simply no words to describe our incredible loss and sadness."

"If you have any questions about animals you have adopted from the SPCA or were interested in adopting before the fire, please contact us via email at ahspca@storm.ca and we will respond within a reasonable delay. "

"We have received many offers to donate to our shelter, which we greatly appreciate. Your donations are welcomed to assist us in caring for our remaining animals going forward and eventually to rebuild our shelter."

"Monetary donations can be made to:

• https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/34114 (a tax receipt will be sent directly to you if you donate via this website).

• You can also send donations via Paypal, which you can access via our website: http://www.aylmer-hull-spca.qc.ca/main_e.html or directly via www.paypal.com (send to: ahspca@storm.ca).

• Cheques can be mailed to our PO Box address: SPCA of Western Quebec, 659 Auguste Mondoux, Gatineau, QC J9J 3K2

"At this time, we are not in a position to accept non-monetary donations of food, crates, leashes and toys. We will provide more information in the coming days about how to donate these items. "

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank individuals and organizations who have offered their support from all over Canada and the United States. Please know we appreciate your expressions of concern and sadness and feel very grateful for your support. We do see each of your posts, but are not in a position to respond at this time. We ask that you be patient with us , as we are focusing our efforts on caring for the animals who survived and those who remain in foster homes. "

"We also wish to thank our veterinarians, Dr. Richard Wojciechowski and the staff at the Plateau Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Kader and the staff at the Hull Veterinary Clinic, the SPCA de l'Outaouais, Le Loft Canin de l'Outaouais, the Ottawa Humane Society and many other rescues and humane societies across Canada and the United States who have sent offers of support during this difficult time."

Finally, to our staff and volunteers - thank you for all that you have done for this organization over the years and for the time you have devoted to making the SPCA Western Quebec what it was. Without your tireless efforts, we would not have been able to do what we do and help so many. It will take us some time to rebuild, but we will do everything we can to make that happen."

"Forever heartbroken. SPCA Western Quebec Board of Directors"

SPCA of Western Quebec Facebook Page

PET DEATHS.. Where do they go???????

So many questions.. Do they have souls? Of course, NO ONE really has the answer. We are all guessing... choosing to believe whatever answer feels right.

Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!"
~ Theophile Gautier

"No heaven will not ever Heaven be; Unless my cats are there to welcome me."
~ Anonymous

If there is a heaven, it's certain our animals are to be there.
Their lives become so interwoven with our own,
it would take more than an archangel to detangle them.
~ Pam Brown

Personally, I would not give a fig for any man's religion whose horse,
cat and dog do not feel its benefits.
Life in any form is our perpetual responsibility.
~ S. Parkes Cadman

For those who love dogs, it would be the worst form of a lie to call any
place where dogs were banned "Paradise." Certainly no loving God
would separate people from their canine friends for eternity.
~ Stanley Coren, dog psychologist

I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness.
If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there.
~ Rev. Billy Graham

The real platform for religion is based on the concepts of compassion,
respect and consideration, not just for human beings, but for all forms of life.
~ Paul Irwin

I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.
~ Abraham Lincoln

As I read somewhere along the way, “since man is made in the image of God
and since man can love an animal as much as a human,
such a bond is worthy of eternity.
Why would God allow us to create bonds with things we love and can never see again?
~ Anonymous

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
~ Will Rogers

Welcome to Rainbows Bridge.

"Rainbows Bridge is a virtual memorial home

and

grief support community for

your departed fur baby.

Whether furry, feathered or scaled, all are welcome. "

We all grieve in different ways and even as adults we can get lost and confused about how to do it. Our children are looking to us to learn how to grieve as well. What do we do?

No matter what your religion if you even have a religion, adults and children alike need ways to deal with the loss of our beloved pets.

One of my personal beliefs is that when a person is cremated, part of who they were goes up in the smoke to the air, into the wind, and into the clounds. I like to burn in a ceremony small meaningful items they treasured or letters from me to them. I like to see the smoke mingle with the rest of the air that they are in - to be forever a part of their essence.

Below I found two sites that had some great ideas for children ... I hope they can help you or someone you know through difficult moments... Lori

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pet-death.html -
click to read more -Great site for PARENTS!

EXCERPTS:

If asked what happens to the pet after it dies, draw on your own understanding of death, including, if relevant, the viewpoint of your faith. And since none of us knows fully, an honest "I don't know" certainly can be an appropriate answer — it's OK to tell kids that death is a mystery.

Showing how you feel and talking about it openly sets an example for kids. You show that it's OK to feel sad when you lose a loved one, to talk about your feelings, and to cry when you feel sad. And it's comforting to kids to know that they're not alone in feeling sad. Share stories about the pets you had — and lost — when you were young and how difficult it was to say goodbye.

Write a prayer together or offer thoughts on what the pet meant to each family member. Share stories of your pet's funny moments. Offer lots of loving hugs. You could do a project too, like making a scrapbook.

http://allthemoms.com/2017/09/18/pet-loss-child-grief/ -
click link to read more - Ggreat site for MOMS !

EXCERPTS:

1. Scrapbook

As a nurse, I believe in the “work of grieving,” and using one’s heart and hands makes this process concrete for a child. I printed pictures of Max, bought very simple scrapbooks, and asked the girls to make memory books. Many healthy tears were turned into treasured keepsakes in the weeks following his death. Scrap booking helps to mourn the loss of a pet. Credit: Getty Images

2. Hold a ceremony

Holding a pet funeral is a very personal decision. Our daughters were too young to understand what a funeral was, and my invented ceremony was a disaster. At ages 9 and 11, Beluga-the-Hamster’s ceremony rivaled that of a sitting statesman. Our daughters buried a tiny casket in the pouring down rain while singing. A little kooky? Yes. Helpful? Absolutely.

3. Find and read helpful books

I’m a fan of “The Tenth Good Thing About Barney” by Judith Viorst. It addresses grief in a child’s voice, does not presuppose all readers believe in heaven, and does not end with the idea that a new pet will heal the sense of loss. It’s an elegantly simple picture book with the message that grief takes patience, and it’s a good thing to remember.

4. Make a memorial

Our family tradition is to plant something beautiful in the yard. We have climbing roses, weeping willows and flowers, all planted in memory of a person or animal. Our daughters also built a small memorial in the yard. Again, it was nothing formal, as it was far more meaningful to them that they made it themselves.

5. Make an ornament

If you celebrate any holiday involving tchotchkes, a memory piece is a lovely way to remember a pet. Every year we hang Max’s silliest picture on the Christmas tree, and honor that he will always be in our family.

JASMINE ROSE - April 15, 2003 - May 18, 2018

Marc and I lost our sweet Jasmine, this past May. She had just turned 15. She was doing great then her eye went bad and she was in constant severe pain. Her sister, Maggie, was at her side with us when we took her to the vet for the final time.

They had been together all their lives (Maggie just turned 16 in June). These two girls were very close so, we wanted Maggie with us at the vet when the the time came to let her sister go. I want to take a moment to tell you a few touching details.

That day when we were in the vet room we had Jasmine on the floor on a towel and Marc and I joined her on the floor. Maggie completely ignored Jasmine during this time. She walked around and sniffed and explored. It took over 10 minutes for Jasmine to fall asleep. Then the vet came in to give the final shot. When Jasmine was finally gone the vet stood up and left. Immediately Maggie walked to Jasmine and tried to cover her with the towel that she laid on. I helped Maggie cover Jasmine and then Maggie sniffed Jasmine's bottom, walked away and it was over. Marc and I were astonished that Maggie knew immediately what happend and came to cover Jasmine with the towel. We had no words.

For a couple weeks afterwards both Maggie and I had our moments. Maggie clung to me for about two days and then she seemed fine. There were times however that she would seem restless or would want to cuddle with me out of the blue. Once she was at the top of the stairs pacing. She had just eaten, her pee pads and water were upstairs. I finally went up to see what was wrong. As soon as I got to the top of the stairs she RAN to the bed at the window in the office where Jasmine always loved to lay and watch the world out front. I sat at the desk nearby and Maggie laid down and slept. Half an hour later Maggie woke up, went downstairs, and acted as if nothing happened.

These little moments ... these little looks and loyalties and acts of true love for eachother. You can't tell me pets don't have souls.

Jasmine's body is now part of the wind and earth and her soul is with the angels.

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