This is now over 3 weeks after we lost one of the greatest loves of our lives, our cat Thomas, and I can finally find the will to write this due to the relief that working with Eric at Rainbow Bridge Crematory brought us. Not only at that terribly difficult time, but relief that actually increases as time passes knowing not only that yes, that actually IS Thomas in his beautiful little personal 'condo', but that he was treated with a sacred dignity that he, and every living creature truly deserves.
During his short hospice phase the torturous thoughts began again - what to do with his remains after he passed. The beloved little body that I had loved beyond words, and put so much care into for the 14 years that he graced us with his presence - his life. I had been down this horrendous road 5 times before and the thought of leaving him on a table in a vets office to go through the cold, impersonal process that doesn't even feel guaranteed to actually be Thomas on the return - was once again beyond horrifying to me. As I sat down to research a private crematory experience as an alternative this time, Rainbow Bridge popped up. At first glance I thought it was too good to be true, or that it would be too expensive due to the quality of service - but as I read through their amazingly comforting and professionally well-designed website, and all about Eric, Liz and Blaze, and then read ALL the reviews - then came the true confirmation - I called and spoke with Eric, and I knew immediately this is where I would bring Thomas.
Even before I was an actual client, Eric was kind, compassionate and sincere over the phone. Never pushy or leaving me with the feeling that he was just trying to make a sale, even though he didn't have to try very hard in that area anyway, because the service fee was so fair and actually far more affordable than the competitors - where not only do you not receive all the comforting, caring touches, but even more importantly to me personally, you have absolutely NO guarantee that your pet is your pet once returned. So, out of his own difficult personal experience, Eric has designed a 'dignified, respectful' start-to-finish-process that guarantees that your pet is returned to you as YOUR pet after being handled honorably. So again, to me, that is not only brilliant, but invaluable.
After it was all said and done - the final results were even better than expected. On that difficult day, after we went to pick Thomas up in his new form, my husband and I sat in the car in awe. Not just at the beautifully presented Rainbow Bridge poem with his picture in it, or his sweet, clay pawprint and furry prayer card, but again at the total relief once again, of knowing he was treated with Eric's complete process of Sacred Integrity.
Honestly, I cannot think of any better words to describe Rainbow Bridge Crematory. Kindness, Integrity, Compassion, Sincerity, Peace, Sacred Professionalism, Fair, and Grace!
So an endless, full heart thank you to Eric, Liz and Blaze.
And again, its such a relief to now know that I have Rainbow Bridge as a dignified end of life solution as I continue to be in service to the Animal Kingdom. And I have been spreading the word in hope that more concerned pet parent/companions can find the same Peace in their service!
Mary B read more