MIDDLESEX COUNTY   Animal Control Dealing With Grief Pet loss and dealing with grief is often an issue that is overlooked. This page offers some words of comfort and helpful information on dealing with grief.     Recognizing the special ties that County citizens have with their treasured pets and farm animals, companions really, we would like to offer this bit of solace for those who have suffered such a loss: A Poem For Grieving... Rainbow Bridge 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...    Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die... - Anonymous -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pet Loss Support Hotline Making a Difference More than a year since it's introduction, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine "Pet Loss Support Hotline" has assisted over one hundred bereaved pet-owners from throughout the region. Since October 1, 1995, a team of specially trained veterinary students has staffed the hotline in the College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital on Tuesday and Thursday nights from six to nine p.m. The telephone number for the service is 540-231- 8038. Hot-line volunteers are trained to provide appropriate counseling for bereaved pet-owners and to detect callers who are experiencing coping problems significant enough to warrant a referral to professional counselors, according to Dr. Gregory Troy, faculty coordinator for the program.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Resources Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine "Pet Loss Support Hotline" Virginia Polytechnic Institute University Relations News & Information article on the "Pet Loss Support Hotline" Six Important Telephone Numbers Every Pet Owner Should Have...