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A Tribute to Vata: Our soul piece, by Bridgett Mayeux

Our best buddy, Vata Man Mayeux, a tuxedo, was found outside with his calico sister during a cold Alaskan spring. When we first saw him at the shelter, he was hugging his sister tight. We knew they could never be apart. This little tuxedo became Vata (wind) and the little calico became Pitta (fire).

As a kitten, we realized he had the same birthmark, on the same side of his face, as my husband did. We said they were not only like us in personality (wind and fire) but they were somehow a piece of our souls reincarnated on the earth. From then on, we would call each of them our respective “doppelgänger” or soul piece.

The years passed, much too quickly. Our two human children grew up and the cats grew older. Vata was the cat who made people who hated cats come to like cats. He won everyone’s heart. Children would carry him around like a teddy bear, and his nickname became “cuddle bear.”

In his older years, Vata became an adventure cat, with people taking pictures of him in the van window sunbathing. Wherever we went, he and his sister went. Vata (like the wind) frequently getting into mischief, running away, and yet still, always cuddling, even on the beach of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Vata’s spirit, spunk and mischievousness led to many a story. A month before his death, he nearly got into a dog fight at a Mount Shasta campground, after sneaking off his van leash for the hundredth time. He was the family Alpha, and he put our German Shepherd in her place, leaving her cowering when he stole her food.

I never thought my heart could break the way it did when he crossed. How he left the earth was true to his name, like the wind; with a sudden kidney stone and ICU battle.

We know when his furry love, Pitta, now 17, crosses, he will forever cuddle her like he did when he was a kitten. And just like he cuddled us, for 15 years, that we never wanted to come to an end.

With Vata, we discovered that animal souls are as human souls.

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Exclusive APLB Webinar: The Benefits of Hospice Veterinary Care

Ensuring Comfort and Dignity for Pets in Their Final Days

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM, ET
Location: via Zoom (registration required)

We are excited to invite you to an exclusive members-only live webinar exploring the experience and benefits of hospice veterinary care—a compassionate approach to supporting pets and their families through end-of-life care.

APLB Video Support Groups

We are now offering Online Video Support Groups every Saturday from 7 pm - 9 pm EST/USA.

Beginning March 23rd we will be offering Video Support Groups every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 7 pm - 9 pm EST/USA.

Our Video Support Groups are available to all Silver and Platinum members.

If you want to learn more about our Video Support Groups, please click or tap the button below.

Webinar: A Conversation on Pet Loss with Author E.B. Bartels

Join us for this exciting event

Rainbow Bridge
Memorial Celebration

In honor of Rainbow Bridge Memorial Day (August 28), we are offering a 20% discount on Silver and Platinum memberships throughout the entire month of August.

By joining us, you will have the unique opportunity to create a lasting online memorial for your pet, complete with photos and stories you can cherish.

Live Webinar

Navigating Pet Loss & Grief

Thursday, June 6th, 2024
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern

Sponsored by:

Navigating Pet Loss & Grief, hosted by Moose’s
March, this webinar is designed to support pet
owners through the difficult journey and depth of
pet loss, anticipatory grief and understanding
guilt. This webinar will also provide 3 key
takeaways for the management of grief,
Featuring insights from renowned experts
Colleen Rolland, Association of Pet Loss and
Bereavement and Dr. Nancy Curotto, Pet Loss &
Bereavement Specialist. Attendees will have an
opportunity to ask questions of the experts.

Special Holiday Schedule

We understand that the holidays can be a difficult time for pet parents missing their fur babies. APLB will be extending our hours this year to help you – we’ll get through this together.

Chat Room

Sun Dec 24: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun Dec 24: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Dec 25: 8 – 10 pm EST
Tues Dec 26: 8 – 10 pm EST
Wed Dec 27: 8 – 10 pm EST
Fri Dec 29: 8 – 10 pm EST
Sun Dec. 31: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun. Dec 31: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Jan 1: 8 – 10 pm EST

Video Support Group

Sat Dec 9: 7- 9 pm EST
Sun Dec 10: 7- 8:30 EST
Sat Dec. 23: 7 – 9 pm EST

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, on December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.