Offering a "cybershoulder"
for grieving pet owners
On Monday, January 1, 1996, Tribble "Tribby-Dog" Cohn, a grumpy
18-pound longhair tabby cat lost a short, but hard-fought battle against the
odds. He was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed. For the past 13 years,
he was a good friend. Perhaps the best friend anyone could ever hope to have.
Never having lost a creature to death, the feelings we felt in the days and
weeks following Tribble's passing could only be described as pure grief. It's
the kind of grief non animal-lovers could never understand, and one that many
people in today's society refuse to even acknowledge
These are but a few of the reasons we have created this homepage. It is called
Lightning Strike because we hope it provides "lightning-fast"
assistance and support for the grieving owners of dead, dying, sick and missing
animals that walk, crawl, fly, hop, and swim our great earth. We're here to
provide a "cybershoulder," a non-judgemental forum for the exchange
of ideas, thoughts, and feelings you're experiencing right now...as well as
provide alternative resources that people-in-need can turn to for further comfort.
We know Tribble would have wanted it that way.
Thank you for caring so much about your pets.
MD Cohn
What do you do when a good friend dies?
What do you do when a good friend dies?
Do you lash out in anger and curse at the sky.
Or grasp hard denial, the means of the weak,
In an effort to kindle the comfort you seek.
What do you do when a good friend dies?
Once life's breath, so precious, gives the chest final rise.
In haste you take blame, no other at fault,
You kneel upturned earth and deem all happiness to halt.
What do you do when a good friend dies?
When with him the times, both good and bad, lie.
Do you cast aside the past, for memories hurt much too much,
Or struggle and fight for that last lingering touch.
What do you do when a good friend dies?
When all of the tears have all but been cried.
No matter how much, no matter how hard you try,
The only thing to do is say farewell.
Goodbye.
Nothing
is stronger or
more rewarding than the
unconditional love between
an animal and its "foster" parent.
When you lose a loved one, the best thing you can do is seek out others who
can empathize with your grief. As such, the remainder of this website contains
links to other pages and sites that can help you make it through these troubled
times. The true beauty of the Web is its vast resources, and Lightning Strike
is the perfect place to get the comfort you need right away.
Lightning Strike's Bolts from the
Blue
Point and click your way to better understanding and
comfort
for the great loss you feel right now...
Hard to believe, but when we looked for a support group in the news group hierarchies
during January 1996, there were none to be found. So we turned our grief into
positive energy and, with the help of several kind souls, managed to create
a newsgroup exclusively for grieving pet owners. Here you will find
postings from people who feel just as you do...add your own postings, or just
read what others have to say. There's no pressure to be anybody but yourself
here.
**Note: here is the newsgroup FAQ.
If asgp-l doesn't appear on your news server, ask your provider to add it.**
If you still
do not have access...
Using your web browser, you can read archived messages from the alt.support.grief.pet-loss
newsgroup at no charge via Google or read current messages and post your
own via InterBulletin...
Over the past years, more and more people have been writing to us, asking
where they can find cyberspace-based "greeting" cards that deal specifically
with the topic of pet loss. Here are a few sites that offer a nice assortment
of create 'n' send cards at no charge.
Tell us a story about your special friend, write a beautiful poem, or simply
ask for help and advice from others who feel the same way you do right now.
The Lightning Strike Pet-Loss Support Board is your open forum to discuss your
thoughts, feelings, hopes, and fears with other pet lovers around the world.
Click on the link above to post your message or to read messages posted by others...and
stop by every now and then to read the newest messages or to reply to those
that capture your heart.
Get the resources
you need to cope... order pet-loss books
from our extensive
on-line listing
The Petloss.com page includes directions
for a special Monday evening candlelight service you can hold in your own home
to remember your pet, and the millions of others around the world. You'll find
the official times listed here, links to add your beloved pets' names to the
Rainbow Bridge list, and more.
Immortalize your pet in cyberspace by requesting a plot at The Virtual
Pet Cemetery, a wonderful idea brought to you by the kind folks at Lavamind
Software. Write a eulogy for your best friend, send it to the Virtual Pet Cemetery
and in a few weeks or so, your words from the heart will appear for all to see...and
for you to cherish. Pictures in electronic format are also accepted. (Download
the page and print it to keep memories for years to come.) Note: One eulogy
for a cherished pet goldfish is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
Staffed primarily by Iowa State University veterinary students and local volunteers,
the ISU Pet Loss Support Hotline
provides a source of emotional support for those who have lost a beloved pet
or are anticipating the loss of a pet. The trained staff provides an impartial,
non-judgmental forum for you to discuss your feelings and concerns and are willing
to help you through this difficult time. The phone number is also toll-free,
thanks to funding by a corporate sponsor and through the generous support of
private contributions.
Moira Anderson, author of the award-winning book Coping
with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet, offers her own comprehensive guide
to pet-loss, as well as other insights and related links on her Pet Loss Grief
Resource Page. Information about her wonderful writings is also available here.
Provided as a public service by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries,
Death of the Family Pet
takes you step by step through the five stages of pet-loss grief, "Denial,
Bargaining, Anger, Grief, and Resolution. " The page also helps owners
come to grips with the tough decision of euthanasia, and discusses the various
ways to give your beloved pet a proper and dignified final good-bye.
Lightning Strike is proud to have received the following acknowledgments...
Lyco's Top 5% of All Websites
Yahoo!
Internet Life: Touched By The Net - May 1999
Acme Pet
Cool Pet Site of the Day
Bacon's
Favorites
Post
Mortem Page's Four Tombstone Award
Mental Health Net's Badge of
Excellence
Bobby's Four Star Approval
for Disability Access
Cool
Dog Site of the Day
Elissa's Big Heart Award
Nalle's Rainbow Award
Send comments, questions, ideas,
and link suggestions.Contact us here.
