THANK YOU for your generosity

to the pets in West, Texas

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Food and Supplies needed for the fur-babies in West, Texas

explosion displaces hundreds of pets from their homes

We will be collecting pet food, food bowls, bedding, blankets, treats and toys tomorrow, Friday, April 19th, from 7:30 AM until Noon at ABC Animal Clinic and taking them all to the fur-babies in West tomorrow afternoon.   I am told that there are many, many pets roaming the streets today, looking for their humans, and I have seen pictures of babies so scared that they are in the rubble of their home and won't come out.  

If you can help, please drop off donations at ABC Animal Clinic, 500 S. Freeway, Fort Worth (I35 between Rosedale and Lancaster), Friday morning. A special thanks to Dr. Snodgrass and My Favorite Groomer for allowing us to use their facility for the drop-off point !!!!!

If you can't get by there, you can donate through our 501c3 non-profit, by clicking on the Chelsea's Fund tab at the top of this page.  100% of what we receive will be used to buy food and supplies for the babies.

Thank you...from all the babies in West that need your help.  

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Accidental Deaths

When there are no answers

As loving pet parents, we understand the responsibilities of pet ownership. Chief among these is protecting our baby from harm. The acceptance of this responsibility is an intellectual decision we make when we assume the role of “pet parent.”

However, there is also an emotional side to this decision. It is one of fear that we can´t control every situation, we can´t be with them every minute, we can´t always protect them and consequently we can´t be the “perfect” pet parent and ensure the safety of the fur baby we love so much.

When accidental death occurs, whether it´s being hit by a car because they were off-leash or we accidentally left a gate open; poisoning; being killed by another animal; or any other type of accident; we immediately feel guilt because we didn´t control the situation. In our mind, we made a mistake and we failed to protect our baby.

In addition, many other feelings overwhelm us. Perhaps feelings of anger, denial, sadness or a feeling of just being “numb”. We may even react with physical sickness such as nausea and vomiting, uncontrollable shaking or muscle weakness and fainting. These are all normal in such a situation. Just as soon as we learn of the accidental death, our mind begins fighting with itself. It´s trying to make sense out of a situation that “makes no sense”, while our emotions are usually denying that this “senseless” situation occurred at all.

As we begin to intellectually understand what has happened, we start to try to deal with all of the emotions that are bombarding us. It´s at this point that we have to begin to do the work that will move us through the grieving process. Notice that it is a “process”. It is a journey that takes hard work and until the work is done, the grief will continue.

First and foremost, we must acknowledge the feelings we are experiencing. This means we must recognize them, let ourselves feel them and know that they are normal. Guilt will probably be the hardest to deal with. We set ourselves up for this one when we assumed the responsibility of becoming a pet parent. Because we knew we “had” to protect our baby, regardless of what happened, we believe it´s our fault. This is the most insidious of emotions because it prevents us from dealing with the grief in a healthy way.

In dealing with the guilt the first step, is perhaps the hardest.... We must forgive ourselves.  

There are numerous ways to do this.

* Post memories and pictures of your fur baby on a memorial web site.  You can do this on our Memorial page.

* Create a memorial garden in your yard. Plant flowers, place a headstone if you like, but create a quite beautiful space where you can sit and reflect on the joy your baby brought to your life.

* Write a letter to your baby telling them you are sorry they died in such a tragic manner. Tell them how much you loved them and how glad you are that they shared their life with you.

* Encourage your friends to talk about your baby. The only way to “let go” is to                   establish the significance of the life that was lived. This done through telling stories and sharing memories of your baby and the things that made he or she special.

* Have a memorial ceremony. Write notes to your furry friend and tie them to balloons and release them. Release any remaining guilt at the same time.

*  Donate time or money to a charity that serves the needs of animals.

How our fur babies died is not important. How they lived, what they gave to us and why our life is better because of them is what matters. They would want you share the love you had for them with another at some time in the future. Rescue a fur baby in-need and honor the memory of the one you have lost.

There is no better way to do so.

Sometimes our friends, in an effort to help, will tell us it´s not our fault. In many cases this only intensifies the guilt because we are convinced it is our fault.  As humans, we need someone or something to blame when bad things happen. The truth is this; accidents happen, we make mistakes and we cannot change what has happened.  The very definition of an accident is something we can´t control. If we could there would be no accidents.


We have two choices. We can dwell on the negative or take the healthy positive approach and honor the life and love that our baby gave us.

There are numerous ways to do this.

1. Post memories and pictures of your fur baby on a memorial web site. At Beyond the Rainbow, we offer this to all the families we serve.

2. Create a memorial garden in your yard. Plant flowers, place a headstone if you like, but create a quite beautiful space where you can sit and reflect on the joy your baby brought to your life.

3. Write a letter to your baby telling them you are sorry they died in such a tragic manner. Tell them how much you loved them and how glad you are that they shared their life with you.

4. Encourage your friends to talk about your baby. The only way to “let go” is to establish the significance of the life that was lived. This is done through telling stories and sharing memories of your baby and the things that made him or her special.

5.   Have a memorial ceremony. Write notes to your furry friend and tie them to balloons and release them. And release any remaining guilt at the same time.

6. Donate time or money to a charity that serves the needs of animals.



How our fur babies died is not important. How they lived, what they gave to us and why our life is better because of them is what matters. They would want you to share the love you had for them with another at some time in the future. When you are ready, rescue a fur baby in-need and honor the memory of the one you have lost.

                                                                        
                                                                                There is no better way to do so.

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Memorial Service Planned for Horses that Died in Fort Worth stable fire

Saturday, February 16, 2013 1:00 P.M.

“We believe that before anyone can heal from a loss, especially a tragic loss such as this, that there needs to be a time when all those affected can come together and mourn”, says Kate Moore who owns Beyond the Rainbow along with Terry Branson.  

“We wanted to give everyone that had horses at these stables; the first responders from the police and fire departments; the Humane Society workers; and our community, an opportunity to come and remember and pay tribute to those beautiful horses.”    

Guests are encouraged to bring balloons to the service, to be released at the end of the ceremony. “Releasing these balloons is a ceremonial releasing of the pain and the loss suffered by all those in attendance, and also a beginning to the healing process”, says Branson.  

The stables are located at 3000 NW 30th Street, in Fort Worth.  

You may call Beyond the Rainbow at 817 249-7700 with questions.    

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Navigating Grief

Getting to the other side of the darkness

Navigating grief is never easy. And there's no "right way" to do it.  But a good way to start walking down the recovery path is to write about your faithful friend.  It doesn't have to be neat and pretty, just take out a sheet of paper and start jotting down random thoughts of what your friend was and is to you.  Things he did, where he loved to sleep, things that made you laugh.  After a bit, the tears will turn to laughter, and then the healing can begin.  

But you'll be 10 minutes from feeling normal, for a long time. It's been 2 months since our beloved Peeve crossed over to the Bridge, and just yesterday, I turned around and looked to make sure he wasn't trying to run out the back door.  His food bowl still sits on the corner of my desk, where he always ate.  It is okay to keep physical reminders of your baby around.  You will look at them and smile, remembering a special time.    

This was your baby, and you've suffered a death...just like any other death in  your family.  And it just takes time for that pain in your gut to subside.  But it will, I promise.  Just keep talking, and writing, about your sweet baby, and time will heal...I promise.

Until then, send bubble kisses to heaven, plant a memorial garden, and know that the love you gave, and the love that you received, will never die.    

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2012 Christmas Service of Remembrance

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Whether your beloved furry family member left you last week, last year, or longer ago, Christmas always seems to bring back those memories that cause us to miss our beloved pets more. For us, it is our adorable kitten, covered in flocking, after he explored his very first Christmas tree 15 Christmas's ago. And the many years, as he matured into a mellow old man, that he loved to sleep curled up under the lights of the tree.  

Whatever memories of your beloved pets the season brings to your mind, we want you to have an opportunity to join us for a few moments of remembrance and reflection.  So come join us on Saturday, December 1, 2012 as we partner with our friends at Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery, for meditation, music, reflection and special time of remembering our furry angels this Christmas season.

Faithful Friends is located at 3600 Shelby Road, Fort Worth, 76140.

You may arrive at 5:00 to select a special ornament to take home and place on your tree.  
Ceremonies will begin at 5:45.

Please call or email Kate at 817 249-7700 or beyondtherainbow@att.net if you are planning to attend.  

Refreshments will be served.  We look forward to seeing you there on Saturday, December 1st.        

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