I found there were very few websites around and those that were there took some finding.

I searched for books to comfort her but again found most were merely cold technical descriptions of 'the five stages of grief' or collections of poetry which although some were helpful, were hard to find and mostly out of print. Whilst these were at least some help they weren’t the personal stories and experiences I was searching for.

I wanted to read about other people who had felt just like we did and had made it through to the other side and were now able to remember their pets fondly. I wanted examples of how the Stages of Grief actually felt rather than just cold and impersonal descriptions.

We were surrounded by many people who just didn’t understand the depth of feeling we had for our pets. I wanted to hear from others who felt the same and wouldn’t regard our feelings as foolish or over the top.

Having spent two years researching pet loss, which included trawling the internet for the best sites and information and studying courses in pet loss and pet bereavement, I decided to build this site and hope to fill it not just with interesting and helpful information, but with everything you need to know.

Over the coming weeks and months I shall be filling this site with articles and information on all stages of pet loss. I'll try to cover everything you need to know to prepare yourself and your pet for before, during and after you lose them but if there's anything you'd like to see which isn't here already please contact me and let me know and I'll do my best to add it.

My mission is to make this site a helpful and invaluable guide to all things pet loss, and to unite pet owners from around the world at a time when they feel most alone.

I would like this site to become a great resource and source of comfort, full of personal stories and experiences, tributes and a place where pet lovers share their grief and hopes, but I need your help to make this possible.

If you have suffered the loss of a pet, please consider sharing your personal story and experiences to help comfort and inspire others.

Perhaps you have your own personal experiences of Rainbow Bridge to share to reassure others that such a place exists, or maybe you have some tips to share about how you dealt with pet loss or how you commemorated your pet’s life.

Remember that you are not alone in your grief, thousands of pet owners have trodden this path before you and sadly, but inevitably thousands will follow you. I hope this website will bring you some comfort and bring you together with people who know exactly how you feel because we've been there ourselves.

Pet Loss Matters - About Me Read all about my mission and why I started the Pet Loss Matters website on pet loss, pet grief and pet death.

The Pet Loss Matters Blog The Pet Loss Matters Blog keeps you up to date with all additions and changes to the pet-loss-matters.com website. Subscribe here.

Pet Loss Matters 'Pangs and Waves' Newsletter Subscribe to the new Pet Loss Matters 'Pangs & Waves' Newsletter to be kept up to date with all the latest developments on the PLM site, new features and articles on all things pet loss.

Death of a pet - My Experiences Death of a pet - My personal experiences of pet loss with helpful and comforting information to help you in your loss.

Reactions to Pet Grief - Grief and Pet Loss Comforting and helpful information about the symptoms and reactions to pet grief, grief and pet loss and pet grief recovery.

The Stages of Grief - Dealing with Grief - Pet Grief Recovery A guide to the Stages of Grief experienced with Pet Loss and the death of a pet, helpful and comforting advice for dealing with grief and pet grief recovery

The Stages of Pet Grief - 'Pangs & Waves' ‘Pangs and Waves’ are a characteristic feature of pet grief and one that most people find they experience. They are probably best described as ‘attacks of anxious pining.’

Rainbow Bridge and Animal Afterlife - Do Pets go to Heaven? Here's where you'll find the Rainbow Bridge poem, story and movie. Along with real life Rainbow Bridge and animal afterlife stories contributed by our visitors. Join them and share your story here.

Your Rainbow Bridge Stories Rainbow Bridge - Many people believe that our pets remain with us in spirit and give us signs they are there to help comfort us in our grief. Has this happened to you? Share your story here.

Candle Lighting Ceremony for the Loss of a Pet After the death if a pet, many people hold a simple at home candle lighting ceremony, but you can also be part of a larger community and participate in a worldwide ceremony held online.

Grief Poem, poems for pet loss, dog poems, pet loss poem, pet memorial poems A beautiful collection of grief poem regarding pet loss, pet memorial poems and animal poetry

Pet Quotes about Pet Loss A collection of my favourite pet quotes, all about the loss of a pet, pet death and pet grief. Some quotes refer to human loss but are still touching to those who have lost a pet.

Your Pet Loss Stories Share your experiences of Pet Loss here. Every one of our pets is unique and special and leaves us with many wonderful memories. We invite you to share those memories to help and inspire others.

Your Pet Tributes - Post a Tribute for Your Pet here Writing pet tributes can help you to come to terms with the loss of your pet and begin to deal with pet grief. Post a tribute for your pet here.