In the last week of every month we take a look back at the crazy creatures and amazing animals that have made the headlines in recent weeks. Here’s a reminder of what September’s headlines told us about some of the animals that share our planet:

Fabulous Frida

Following the devastating earthquakes experienced in Mexico this month, we’ve learned of the amazing efforts of Frida, the rescue Labrador Retriever. Working with the Mexican Navy’s search and rescue team, seven-year old Frida has now saved the lives of 52 people in total, including many trapped in rubble following the recent quakes and aftershocks felt in Mexico City and across the state of Oaxaca. Wearing protective goggles and boots, Frida is able to access areas human colleagues often cannot, sniffing out people trapped under debris and alerting the rescue services as to where to focus their efforts.
When her expertise is not required in the field, Frida also works with newly recruited young rescue dogs, showing them just how to do it. Frida, we salute you!

Beavering away

In heart-warming wildlife news this month, we learn that the Forestry Commission is preparing to release a family of beavers into a fenced reserve close to Lydbrook in the Forest of Dean. The village suffered severe flooding in 2012 and experts hope that the network of dams and canals the beavers will construct will help slow the flow of Greathough Brook, thus reducing the potential for future flooding downstream. Scientists calculate that each beaver family’s constructions can hold back as much as 6,000 cubic meters of water and can therefore play a major role in controlling water damage. Beavers are no longer native to the UK, having been driven to extinction around 400 years ago. However, with a number of government-backed schemes nationwide showing that the animals can have an important effect, it is hoped that before too long, beavers will once again thrive along our waterways.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

In the latest of our series of mini interviews with friends of The Ralph Site we heard from Lynn Morgan, who has given us some wise words of advice for anyone experiencing the loss of a much-loved companion.

1. Do you currently share your home with any pets? If so, please tell us about them.

I live with two beautiful cats, Penny and Beau. They are both five years old now, rescued as kittens from Lothian Cat Rescue. Beau chose me – he clambered on to a cat tree to eye level and started purring in my face. His and my fates were sealed! I wanted to choose another but the little one I picked was promised to someone else, so I gave the choice to my husband. He said that he chose Penny because she looked at him with Princess Diana eyes!

She is mouthy and demanding and will shout at me all night to play; then she settles down on my legs until they go numb. Beau prefers his own company but he certainly is no scaredy cat – he patrols the wall in the evenings and makes short shift of any invaders. They are the two most loving cats – friendly to everyone who visits, and all who meet them fall in love.

2. What was the name of your first pet?

My first pet was a kitten called Tilly, a little black and white girl, the runt of the litter. She was the tiniest thing, who even at her largest only weighed 2kgs. She was a moody little madam though – she didn’t like people or other cats, but she loved me, chirruping and dancing on her toes when she saw me.

3. Why did you choose the name?

I got to choose a kitten from my friend – she had two pregnant cats and Tilly came from the second one to give birth. She was so small that I knew she had to be mine. My friend’s eldest daughter is called Matilda and when I thought of Tilly, it just felt right.

4. Cats, dogs, or another species? Can you choose?! And why?

For many years I was a dog person – when I was a young girl there was Sheba, a German Shepherd and as a teenager we had Cindy, a Shetland Collie.

I always thought I’d have a dog of my own, never a cat, but living in a flat and working in the city it never seemed fair to have a dog, so decided I would not have a pet at all. Then Tilly came into my life and I became a mad cat lady! When she left me, I knew I would have cats again, that’s just how it is now. Maybe when Penny and Beau are no longer with me and I am an old lady I may rescue many old dogs and cats, and rats and mice and chickens and anything else that will fit into the flat with me!

5. What is your favourite memory of an animal who has shared your life?

There are so many of course…

•  Sheba loved a doll of mine – she would steal it from my doll’s pram and take it to her bed where she would lick and cuddle her. She never left so much as a tooth print though, she was so tender.
• Cindy always walked on the lead like a little pony, lifting her legs in a sort of trot. She also used to look at everybody around and her face just beamed.
• Tilly – the first night she came home with us I had made a little bed for her in a warm cupboard with the door ajar. As I went to bed I could hear her mewing, so I went to check on her but she was already on her way to me! She slept on my pillow all night; I don’t think I got a wink of sleep!
• Penny was always dragging her favourite toy around the house, following me. She would only drop it to shout (or perhaps swear!) at me to play.
• Beau escaped when he was tiny and I was frantic because I couldn’t find him. Eventually I spotted him at the top of a very tall fir tree. I called my husband to come home with ladders (he was not amused), but of course by the time he got home the little so-and-so was tucking into breakfast, wondering what the fuss was about!

6. Which three words would you choose to describe them?

Penny: Madam, bully, sweetheart
Beau: Perfection, lazy, greedy

7. What is your favourite fictional animal and why?

The Littlest Hobo. It was on the TV when I was a child and when we had Sheba they were both German Shepherds; both loving and caring, protective and intelligent.

8. If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?

My favourite animals (apart from cats and dogs) have always been foxes and tigers. Both species are so beautiful, clever and independent.

9. What advice would you give to someone who is grieving for a much-loved pet?

Advice is difficult, because we all have different experiences and stories, but the key thing would be to take your time, let all the emotions come out, whenever and wherever you are. Don’t feel embarrassed or have expectations to be ‘over it’ in a certain time. Try to keep guilt at bay – this is almost impossible, but at least don’t dwell on the ‘what ifs’. Remember all the happy times, look at the photos and howl at the moon if necessary. Then once the rawness has subsided, check out a rescue site, because you just never know…

10. When and how did you come across The Ralph Site? What do you think is the most important role of The Ralph Site community?

To be honest I can’t quite remember how I came across The Ralph Site. I do know that I had only just lost Tilly and was in a state of shock and distress – I could barely go ten minutes without breaking down in tears. I had posted on Facebook that she was gone and of course kept going back to see the messages. Once I found The Ralph Site’s Facebook page, I spent every waking moment reading others’ stories. It was a hard time, but in the end it really helped me, and I think I have helped others. There have been times (and there still are) when it overwhelms me and I leave the group for a while, but I always come back, even if it’s just to say sorry.

The most important aspect for me is the people. Although the community is now very large and I don’t know 99% of the names, the experiences have not changed. There is no judgement, no harsh words. We are all the same – kind-hearted people who love animals, our own pets and each other’s and that is a rare thing to find anywhere.

We’ll be featuring regular mini-interviews with friends of The Ralph Site in future; so do keep an eye out every first and third week of each month!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Friends of The Ralph Site will not be surprised to find that one of the most popular sections of our website is our Memorials page.

Online Pet Memorials

Hundreds of people have already uploaded photos and memories of their special friends; who may be gone, but are in no way forgotten. Posting images and stories of those who played such a large part in our lives, and who continue to live on in our hearts and memories, helps to give these much-loved pets a continued presence. And for other carers who have gone through the same grief, sharing kind words and a virtual hug is one small way in which they can make a big difference to those whose pets have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

When the time comes, if you find that you want to share your own memories on The Ralph Site, it’s very easy to add a memorial. You can find more details here.
You must log in or register with the site in order to post your memorial, but there is no time limit, so posts can be added as and when you feel ready to leave your pet’s story. Currently we regret that technical issues are preventing memorials being posted from smartphone and tablets, so please use a laptop or desktop computer to add your memories (we are happy to post for you if this is not possible).

Facebook Community

For three years after they have passed away, your pet’s memorial will be featured on our Facebook page on the anniversary day of his or her passing. Our many Facebook friends tell us that they value this shared community space, where pet carers share their feelings and offer advice to anyone feeling angry, sad or frustrated in their loss. Others often add poignant and sensitive posts and comments, which help bereaved pet carers understand that they are not alone in their grief.

You might also like to know that we have created a private Facebook support group to complement our main Facebook page. This group currently has over 2,000 members, so by joining you’ll be able to communicate with people who can share a wide range of experiences and coping techniques. As you may be aware, Facebook groups work differently to pages – allowing people who may be struggling to create on-going supportive links with others in the group. Notifications alert members when others have posted or commented, developing a mutually beneficial support network to help with the heartache of pet loss.

Our experience is that some people may be reluctant to share publically how they feel about their pet’s passing on an open page – this private Facebook group therefore allows anybody wishing to become more involved to interact with friends in a confidential and safe environment. Membership of this private group is by request only; all you need to do is click on the link here and leave a request to join.

And if you aren’t already Facebook friends with us, why not join the 43,000 others who have liked our page? As well as featuring daily memorials, we post news and items of interest to pet carers, share inspirational quotes and feature heart warming pictures, encouraging our friends to do the same.
Because after all, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

In the latest of our series of mini interviews with friends of The Ralph Site we heard from Sue Illman, who has given us some wise words of advice for anyone experiencing the loss of a much-loved companion.

1. Do you currently share your home with any pets? If so, please tell us about them.

Yes, I share my home with two cats, Molly and Toby. Molly is ten and is a very quiet cat – she loves to spend her day sleeping on my bed.

Toby is just a kitten and he’s a dear little boy! He really wants to play with Molly but she isn’t impressed – she would much rather sleep!

2.What was the name of your first pet?

She was a lovely cat called Tinker.

3.Why did you choose the name?

Because she looked like a cheeky puss! It turned out that her name really suited her!

4.Cats, dogs, or another species? Can you choose?! And why?

It would be cats every time for me; they have always been a big part of my life. Even as a child I can never remember a time when we didn’t have a cat or two sharing our home.

5.What is your favourite memory of an animal who has shared your life?

Every memory I have of my beloved Louis is a favourite memory for me. I lost Louis in February of this year and a part of me died with him. I know that I will miss that little boy forever.

6.Which three words would you choose to describe him?

Wonderful, cheeky, missed.

7.What is your favourite fictional animal and why?

It would be Dumbo, the adorable elephant from the Disney film – those big cute ears get me every time!

8.If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?

You won’t be surprised to read that I would choose to be a cat – how nice to simply lay there whilst humans pander to my every need.

9.What advice would you give to someone who is grieving for a much-loved pet?

I would say in all honesty that time really is a healer. You will never forget your precious friends of course, but it does get easier. And you must never feel guilty about opening your heart to another pet, when the time is right for you.

10.When and how did you come across The Ralph Site? What do you think is the most important role of The Ralph Site community?

I found The Ralph Site while searching online for a bereavement support group after Louis died. Losing my baby was hurting so much that I felt I needed to look for people who would understand just what I was going through. Somewhere I could get the support I needed to get through the rough days, so that hopefully I could then go on to support others when it got easier for me.

Understanding and supporting each other is the most important thing about The Ralph Site for me – only those who have lost much-loved friends can really understand how hard it is. For this reason alone I am so thankful I found The Ralph Site support group.

We’ll be featuring regular mini-interviews with friends of The Ralph Site in future; so do keep an eye out every first and third week of each month!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

In the last week of every month we take a look back at the crazy creatures and amazing animals that have made the headlines in recent weeks. Here’s a reminder of what August’s headlines told us about some of the animals that share our planet:

National Dog Day!

Those of you with canine companions probably already know that August 26th marked National Dog Day across the UK and around the world (#nationaldogday on Twitter). Whilst the annual event celebrates dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages and breeds and encourages rehoming, this year’s National Dog Day took on an extra poignancy in the southern states of the USA. With Hurricane Harvey causing devastating flooding to swathes of Texas and Louisiana, animal charities were encouraging donations of money and supplies to local shelters as volunteers rescued frightened animals from the rising waters. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the flooding.

Fingers crossed for a pregnant panda

Edinburgh Zoo has recently announced that its resident female Giant Panda Tian Tian is pregnant; with her due date expected to be around the time of this post (so we may have more news as you read this!) Along with her partner Yang Guang, the pair are the only Giant Pandas currently living in the UK, loaned from China for a ten-year period ending in 2021. Attempts at mating naturally sadly failed, and so Tian Tian received a little help in the form of IVF intervention. With population numbers in crisis (research suggests that there are fewer than 2,000 Giant Pandas left worldwide), the global breeding programme is of great importance and so everyone at the zoo is hoping to hear the patter of tiny claws very soon!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support