The Season of Letting Go and Grieving Our Animal Companions
A reflective essay on grief, love, and the sacred act of letting go inspired by our animal companions. Explore seasonal transitions, emotional healing, and rituals to honor those who have crossed.
The Descent, Part I
Part one of a four-part series exploring the nuances and sacred work of grief, love, and connection with our animal companions.
The air feels different lately. Not cool exactly, I’m in Florida and it’s still sticky, and the rain hasn’t let up this week. The river is swollen from the King’s Tide and the rainy season, spreading into the flood zones, but there’s a shift in the air if you pay attention. The mornings carry a little less weight, a little more breath. The storms linger longer, the rain smells like earth, and everything seems to be exhaling.
In the midst of seasonal change, two of my clients said goodbye to their animals this week, and their absence has been sitting quietly with me. It’s part of this work, part of loving animals, really, but it never stops tugging at the heart. It always seems to happen in waves. A few souls crossing close together, then a stretch of calm. Maybe it’s just the rhythm of things, the ebb and flow of life reminding us that everything is connected.
This time of year has a way of holding that reminder. Even here, where the seasons barely shift, there’s a subtle turning inward. Nature teaches us that letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about returning what no longer serves back to the earth. The trees don’t fight the release. They surrender their leaves so they can rest, restore, and begin again.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn belongs to the Metal element, the energy of the lungs, the breath, and the art of letting go. The lungs help us take in what nourishes us and release what no longer does. When we hold our breath, we hold our pain. When we exhale, we begin to make space again. Grief moves in much the same way; it asks to be felt, breathed through, and released in its own time.
Our animals are often our teachers in this. They live with open hearts, breathing in love and breathing it back out just as easily. When they prepare to leave their bodies, they seem to remind us of the same thing: love isn’t something we lose. It only changes form.
Across many cultures, this season is known as a time when the veil between worlds grows thin. Whether or not you call it that, it’s hard not to feel the quiet pull inward, the invitation to listen beyond what we can see. Grief has its own sacred rhythm. It slows us down, deepens our awareness, and brings us back to what matters most.
This is also a time to connect with those who’ve crossed…our ancestors, loved ones, and our beloved animal family. One ritual I love is creating a small altar space. A place to honor them with photos, candles, flowers, and little things that belonged to them. I often sit there in quiet reflection or meditation, letting myself feel the love that still lives in my heart. Sometimes I write their names, speak to them out loud, tell them what’s going on, or reminisce about our time together. Other times I simply breathe gratitude into the space.
Simple acts like these help keep the thread of connection alive. They remind us that death doesn’t sever love, it only changes how we experience it.
As we move through this season of release, I’m holding space for all who are loving through loss...past, present, or soon to come. Our animals are never truly gone; they simply return to the great breath of the earth.
If you’d like a place to honor them, I’ll be co-hosting a Compassionate Paws Remembrance Gathering the first weekend in November. It’s a free event and discussion space to remember and celebrate the animals who’ve touched our lives. All details and the private Zoom link will be shared inside the Compassionate Paws Facebook group, which is also free to join.
And if you’re walking that threshold now and want personal support, I offer animal communication and energy sessions to support you and your animal before or after transition.
This season asks us not to rush the falling away, but to trust the wisdom in it. The descent isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of deeper roots.
Thank you so much for reading this post!
My name is Melissa, and I’m an animal communicator, energy healer, and holistic pet health coach. I live on a little farm sanctuary where I’m happily outnumbered by animals: seven dogs, three cats, and a mix of other furry, feathered, and hooved friends who keep life interesting. You can learn more about my work at calmingcreek.com
I’d love to hear from you! Whether you have stories to share or questions to ask, don’t hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. I am not a veterinarian, and my services are intended as a complementary practice to support your pet’s overall well-being. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatments your pet may require.
Gave me chills - "The descent isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of deeper roots."