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40 New Photos Of People With Their Pets Before They Cross The “Rainbow Bridge” By Lauren Smith Kennedy
Interview
It’s pointless to talk about all the beautiful aspects of owning a pet without acknowledging the profound impact they have on our lives. The creatures we dedicate ourselves to repay us countless times over with their love and devotion. Every day is brighter when you can share it with your furry buddy, no matter the circumstances!
Living with pets is a significant responsibility, but it ultimately brings us joy and happiness. However, as all pet parents know, there comes a time when we must say goodbye to our companions and send them off to the rainbow bridge. The loss of our beloved pets is a devastating moment, and the grief can last for a very long time, if not forever.
Lauren Smith Kennedy is a photographer and the person behind The Tilly Project, dedicated to supporting pet owners dealing with the grief of losing their best friends. Offering end-of-life photoshoots for pets and their families, she captures those final moments together, preserving these precious memories for a lifetime.
More info: Instagram | Facebook | thetillyproject.org
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Zephyr
Luis Hernandez Dauajare 1 year ago
I feel this picture so much. I lost Nelson, my beautiful tuxedo boi three years ago. This is a picture of the day he adopted me. foto-perfi...bd31de.jpg 
devotedtodreams 1 year ago
I feel the look on this lady's face so much - probably looked just like that on the last evening I spent with my beloved baby kitty Filou. Took him to my bed, took a few pictures - a few days later, Mom took him to the vet to be put out of his misery while I was at work. Now one of the last photos I have is of him holding my hand 💔 It's been almost 10 years, and I still miss him tons!
Bored Panda reached out to Lauren to discuss her project, and the photographer shared insights about her approach to these emotional sessions with families who are saying goodbye to their beloved pets: “It is my goal to create a calm, supportive, and empathetic environment for both the pets and their families. It's essential to meet the family where they are at emotionally, which allows for capturing genuine, candid moments.”
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#2
Remy
Shannon Matthews 1 year ago
I loved my two rats. Had Snuggles 1st. After he passed away way too soon I got Cinnamon. Sadly they have very very short lifespans. But they really are wonderful pets
Sheena Leversedge Wood 1 year ago
rats lifespans are absolutely heartbreaking. that's why, after having them more than 30 years, I just can't do it anymore. they are such sweet, loving, precious little souls and they deserve more than a couple of years
#3
Smokey
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
What a beautiful dog and owner. It looks like he was well taken care of. You can tell by his owner and by him, that he was such a happy, loving, kind, gentle dog. It’s sad that our fur babies have to leave us which we feel is way too soon, but they know in their hearts they are way too old😢♥️
We learned that the first step the photographer takes to ensure everyone feels comfortable is by asking family members to help her get to know their pet and hear their story. Smith Kennedy emphasized the importance of recognizing when things get too tense, as it signals a need to pause: “Should the session begin to become emotional, or the pet seems stressed or anxious, we pause and do a check-in. Additionally, we end the session whenever we need to. The pet and their family will also be my top priority.”
#4
Dennis
MAKtheknife 1 year ago
I don't think I can watch the rest of these pics. Too close to home and heart.
DowntownStevieB 1 year ago
Horses are intensely smart and compassionate creatures. They have a great sense of duty to us and see us as equals. They have humor. Also, they really can act and often enjoy what they do (as long as we don't force it on them). What a beautiful creature!
#5
Penny
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
You can see in the dog’s eyes and mouth that they are smiling one last time before they say goodbye 😢♥️
The photographer elaborated on how she balances the emotional intensity of these sessions with maintaining professionalism and focus behind the camera: “It’s a delicate balance, but I remind myself that I’m there to capture these moments for the family, which helps me stay focused behind the camera. I take breaks as needed during post-production (editing) and I never rush the process. My own experience with pet loss and grief has taught me how to hold space for grief while maintaining a sense of purpose.”
#6
Keeta
#7
Abby
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
If those white hairs on his nose could speak, I bet they would have a million and one stories to tell about the beautiful life he lived♥️♥️
We wanted to know how families typically respond to the photos Lauren provides. We learned that: “The families I work with always express such deep gratitude. Many have shared how the images helped them feel a sense of closure or allowed them to celebrate the bond they shared with their beloved pet. Every experience is different, but many times there are tears- whether that be happy or sad, anger towards their situation, or a mix of them all. Nonetheless, they always profusely thank me for this service.”
#8
Mighty
Martina Vandeweghe 1 year ago
Farm animals are very smart. They make great pets as well. They love the hugs, kisses, wonderful care and treats!
#9
Stella
Chrissie Anit 1 year ago
You are honestly asking that in a thread with animals shortly before they were dying?
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Lauren Smith Kennedy explained the role she believes photography plays in the grieving process for those who’ve lost a beloved pet: “Photography offers a tangible way to hold onto the love and connection that families feel for their pets. For anticipatory grief, it can be a way of coming to terms with their pet’s future and can provide a sense of closure after the pet has passed while also creating a keepsake that families can return to as they move through their grief. I believe that seeing their pet in a peaceful, loving moment helps people heal by allowing them to remember their pet in a positive, meaningful way.”
#10
Zoey
#11
Ella
Carol Muir 1 year ago (edited)
You are mine...and I am yours...Mom&Ella@The RainbowBridge💙💚💛💜❤💖💙💚💛💜💔💙💚💛💜💔💖💙💚💛💜💔💖💙💚💛💜💔💖💙💚💛Love is forever💜❤💔💙💚
Lastly, we asked the photographer how the project has impacted her own views on loss, grief, or love. Lauren kindly answered: “The Tilly Project is named after my own cat who tragically passed away, so pet loss and grief is a subject I am no stranger to. Though, this style of photography and founding The Tilly Project has really deepened my understanding of loss, grief, and love. It has opened my eyes and heart up to so many families and reminded me that grief looks different for everyone with the most genuine form of love always being the common thread. Each session reminds me of the profound connection people share with their pets, and it has given me an even greater appreciation for the beauty and fragility of those relationships.”
#12
Duchess
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
One last hug before I let you go, but always remember that I loved you so. Your happiness and kisses, and sweet memories you gave me each day, will never fade for they are tucked into my heart where they must stay. For tomorrow will be different for you won’t be here, but your sweet spirit will always be near. Thank you for being my sweetest, loving best friend, for our love for each other has lasted till the end. And when the tears fall upon my face, deep in my heart I know you are in a better place. So, as we part ways I give you all of my love, for I know you’ll be protecting me from up above. ♥️♥️
#13
Denali
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
The love between a man and his best friend will always run deep, even when their furry friend is in their final sleep 😢♥️♥️
#14
Snoopy
Martina Vandeweghe 1 year ago
Pets deserve the very best always! From birth until they go to Heavens Gate and await u s to join them!
#15
Brodie
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
Sweet Brodie is looking up at his owner, as if he is thanking him for giving him such a fantastic life ♥️♥️
#16
Maya
#17
Jack
#18
Godiva
#19
Stella
Marissa D 1 year ago
She reminds me of my old dachshund, Max. I miss him everyday, but he's in a better place.
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago (edited)
Kisses, hugs and love is like a tattoo. It is something that will never fade, and they are permanently there beyond forever ♥️♥️!
#20
Garlic
Sheena Leversedge Wood 1 year ago
this little rattie looks so happy and loved. the one earlier, you could see they were at the end from their coat and so on. (not that it meant they were any less happy or less loved) but this little darling was obviously at a point they were still doing okay. and that's beautiful. the saying is, it's better a week too early than a day too late. and I've been there and made that call myself, many times
#21
Pumba
#22
Baxter
#23
Harley
#24
Munjoy
Kelsie Marx 1 year ago
I know I was just a child when you became my best friend, but I’m glad I was able to know you until the end. You taught me strength, kindness and compassion, and making memories with you was my sweetest passion. So, as I give you one last hug before you go, I just want to say, thank you for being my best friend that I was truly blessed to know♥️♥️!
#25
Howie
#26
Cooper
#27
Sierra
#28
Denali
#29
Cheddar
#34
Bailey
#36
Marlee And Maggie
#37
Bella
#39
Keely
#40
Zombie
Martina Vandeweghe 1 year ago
I love them all! When we go to Heaven's Gate we will have over 50 years of hugs,kisses, and lick s coming to us! We may not want to leave our babies again! I miss every one of them, and those who had no owners, those who died under cruel peoples hands, and those who spent lifetimes in shelters with no one to love or want them!
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What do you think ?
Esteban Sanabria 1 year ago
My 2 doogies are everything to me, family, friends, roomates and so on. I will be completely lost without them.
talliloo 1 year ago
i am dreading when my two girls are ready to be helped over the bridge. it's because my long-time vet became ill & had to close her practice. with every one of my babies she spread out a padded quilt to have them lay on. being disabled, i was helped down on the floor to lie beside them. she would give them a bit of sedative to help them relax-the vet office usually made them nervous-and then allowed me to cuddle & thank them for sharing their lives with me. she would have put in a butterfly i.v. & have the port outside the door. when i was finally ready she would administer it out of my sight & then let me lie with them until i was cried out. then her wonderful staff would help me off the floor. my new vet hasn't been tested in this manner so i don't know what to expect. he is very kind & i hope is just as compassionate.
Myoviridae 1 year ago
Upvoted every single last one of them. It is sad that the animals have left this world, but so happy that they were loved right up until the end.
Multa Nocte 1 year ago
Dammit, BP, this was a gut-wrencher! I tried to pass through it quickly just to look at the pets and try to enjoy their pretty selves, but it was too clear what was happening and I turned into a blubbering mess. My husband is looking at me like I am deranged. 🥺
Carol Muir 1 year ago (edited)
I loved your photos...it was grief therapy...beautifulspirits/thinkofitastwinklinglights/rainbowbridge💙💚💛💜❤💙💚💜💔💖❤💔❤💙💚💛💜💔💖💙💚💛💜❤💔💖❤💙💚💛💜💔💖❤💙💚💛💜❤💙💚💛💜
Esteban Sanabria 1 year ago
My 2 doogies are everything to me, family, friends, roomates and so on. I will be completely lost without them.
talliloo 1 year ago
i am dreading when my two girls are ready to be helped over the bridge. it's because my long-time vet became ill & had to close her practice. with every one of my babies she spread out a padded quilt to have them lay on. being disabled, i was helped down on the floor to lie beside them. she would give them a bit of sedative to help them relax-the vet office usually made them nervous-and then allowed me to cuddle & thank them for sharing their lives with me. she would have put in a butterfly i.v. & have the port outside the door. when i was finally ready she would administer it out of my sight & then let me lie with them until i was cried out. then her wonderful staff would help me off the floor. my new vet hasn't been tested in this manner so i don't know what to expect. he is very kind & i hope is just as compassionate.
Myoviridae 1 year ago
Upvoted every single last one of them. It is sad that the animals have left this world, but so happy that they were loved right up until the end.
Multa Nocte 1 year ago
Dammit, BP, this was a gut-wrencher! I tried to pass through it quickly just to look at the pets and try to enjoy their pretty selves, but it was too clear what was happening and I turned into a blubbering mess. My husband is looking at me like I am deranged. 🥺
Carol Muir 1 year ago (edited)
I loved your photos...it was grief therapy...beautifulspirits/thinkofitastwinklinglights/rainbowbridge💙💚💛💜❤💙💚💜💔💖❤💔❤💙💚💛💜💔💖💙💚💛💜❤💔💖❤💙💚💛💜💔💖❤💙💚💛💜❤💙💚💛💜
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