In 2013, I underwent a stem cell transplant in Chicago, Illinois. I was lucky to be accepted into a clinical trial and I was preparing to temporarily relocate to Chicago for what I knew would be a life-changing experience. In preparation for my departure, a beloved aunt threw a send-off party for me. As part of the great send-off, people were invited to write an inspirational quote on a card that I could bring with me to my hospital room for my month-long stay.
My favorite quote came courtesy of my Aunt Carla. The quote read:
This quote has become a mantra for my life. Not only will I find a way, when people say there is none, but I will also leave a trail so others can find their way too. This is who I am at the core of my being.
As I sit in my warehouse space at Biscuit & Bertie today, writing this blog post and thinking back to Bertie’s death in 2020, it comes as no surprise to me that my painful and arduous journey through pet loss turned into an opportunity to show others the way: that healing after pet loss is possible and necessary. I not only found a light at the end of the tunnel after the sudden death of my beloved Bertie, but I also turned the steps from my own journey into a roadmap for others to follow. That road map is now the Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Box. This effort is deeply rooted in providing comfort for pet loss.
Mourning and grieving the loss of a cherished pet is most definitely a process, and at times, an errant journey. Grief does not unfold in a tidy manner, it’s often messy and imperfect. Every grief journey is as unique as the person journeying through the muck. One thing that I have learned from my own journeys is that having ample tools and support at one’s disposal, is the most critical determinant in one’s ability to move from the profound pain of pet loss to a place of peace and acceptance. It is from that place of peace that we can open our hearts to love again.
This is why healing after pet loss, and any loss for that matter, is imperative to our overall health and well-being. If we are unable to love and connect with other humans, or animals, we cut ourselves off from an essential human need: to belong with and be understood by others.
A life without love and connection? No, thank you!
Giving Back and Doing Good: A Core Value at Biscuit & Bertie
Since the very start of Biscuit & Bertie, I have been quietly sending out Comfort Boxes to people who can benefit from the healing journey. I haven’t publicized this or expected fanfare over the giving. I have done it because I understand what it’s like to feel completely alone in and swallowed up by grief.
I sense that now, more than ever, people are feeling an overwhelming darkness in our world. Our planet is in crisis, peace seems more precarious than ever, and we are bombarded with bad news, all the livelong day.
The antidote to darkness is always light. Don’t be fooled into believing that you can’t do things to create change in this world. Have you ever tried to fall asleep with a mosquito nearby? The relentless persistence of those little creatures is OFF THE CHARTS! It actually kind of inspires me.
You too can be relentless in your desire to see a kinder, more compassionate, and loving reality unfold in our world. It’s not as difficult as it may seem. You start by starting. And you can start small. Smile at someone, hold a door open for a stranger, help a neighbor. Do good with what you have, where you are. This isn’t rocket science.
When I recently sent a Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Box to someone who really needed it, but wasn’t aware it existed, I had an ah-ha moment. What if we sent out boxes, to people who really need them, on a grand scale? And what if we invited our Biscuit & Bertie Family to join us in making the world a more compassionate and tender place for people facing some of their darkest days?
This sounds like FUN, right?
A Special Opportunity to Give
I am beyond excited to share that our Be the Light campaign kicks off on Friday, March 21st. Our goal is audacious: to give 100 Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Boxes to people who desperately need them as they grieve the loss of a cherished furry family member. We will only reach this big, juicy goal with your help!
Please join us in spreading some much-needed light to our fellow humans.
This offer is limited – our campaign is open for just one week.
From March 21st – March 28th, you can sponsor the donation of a box for the special price of just $88. Why $88? You can read about that in this post: Messages from the Rainbow Bridge: Asking for and Recognizing Signs from Your Departed Pet.
During the month of April, we will distribute all sponsored boxes to veterinary clinics, pet cremation services, and at-home euthanasia services in the greater Twin Cities of Minnesota. We will also be asking the Biscuit & Bertie Family (that’s you!) to submit nominations for individuals to receive a sponsored Comfort Box. These generously sponsored boxes will serve the deep needs of people as they face some of their darkest days after saying goodbye to their furry family member.
Be the Light in Someone’s Darkest Moment
If you have benefitted from the unconditional love of a pet, then you know how painful it is when that furry companion passes away, whether sudden or expected. We firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal after the death of a pet. When integrated into a person’s grieving process, the Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Box provides essential support for healing by:
- Providing emotional support
- Creating a safe space to grieve and feel
- Helping to honor the pet’s memory with love and compassion
In essence, the Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Box is a powerful way to help grieving pet parents navigate their sorrow. It provides the recipient with the space, time, and tools to process their emotions while knowing they are loved and supported. It’s a meaningful step towards healing in the aftermath of pet loss. Our campaign specifically focuses on providing comfort for pet loss through these boxes.
When a pet passes away, the grief can be overwhelming, isolating, and very dark. Your decision to “Be the Light” by sponsoring the donation of a Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Box can make a world of difference and provide a much-needed light in the darkness of pet loss grief.
By sponsoring a Comfort Box, you’ll remind someone that they’re not alone in their grief and help us spread a message of compassion and care.
Be the light by sponsoring a box today.
Follow our Be the Light campaign on Instagram & Facebook as we make a real impact and spread some much-needed goodness to our fellow humans! Ultimately, we strive to bring comfort for pet loss to as many people as possible.
With light & love,
Annie Ballantine
