Dogs Trust Ireland is celebrating the lasting bond shared between owners and their dogs on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.
This annual observance, held on August 28, serves as a poignant reminder of the unconditional love and joy that our furry friends bring into our lives, and provides an opportunity for pet owners to honour their departed companions in a meaningful way.
The charity’s rehoming centre in Finglas is host to a beautiful Legacy Garden, where dog lovers can find solace and remember the dogs who have touched their lives.
Within this Legacy Garden, there is a first of its kind remembrance dog sculpture, where engraved memorial dog tags will hang forever.
These memorial tags can be purchased and personalised with a dog’s name and a date which holds significance to their owner.
The tag will be placed on the sculpture by Dogs Trust and a commemorative certificate will be sent as a special keepsake to remember the cherished pet in a meaningful way.
Nerilee, who adopted her beloved dog Bruno from Dogs Trust, says: “Bruno was an incredibly special dog, and I miss him terribly, but I have taken great comfort in coming to the Legacy Garden here in Dogs Trust where I can remember him.
“To have a quiet place to sit and reflect, surrounded with people who understand and can sympathise with your loss is unique.
“Also, knowing that Bruno’s tag will hang on this sculpture forever brings a sense of reassurance and comfort to a painful memory.”
Having a tag placed on the sculpture in memory of your dog is also a way that their legacy can live on and help Dogs Trust provide love and care for those dogs who have not yet found a family of their own.
Every tag purchased from the charity will provide vital funds to allow Dogs Trust to continue their life saving work.
Paulina Padlo, Communications Manager, Dogs Trust Ireland continues: “As dog lovers we all know the special bond we share with our four-legged family members, and the utter devastation that we feel when they cross the Rainbow Bridge.
“At Dogs Trust, we wanted to show our support for those who are grieving the loss of their dog and hopefully provide them with some comfort.
“By creating the Legacy Garden and remembrance statue, we hope that owners will also find solace in the fact their dog can leave a legacy of their own and help provide care for many more dogs still waiting to find their special someone.”
For more information or to purchase a commemorative tag, please visit www.DogsTrust.ie/LovedForever.