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Halloween: a holiday for black cats, and for remembering those passed

What is it about Halloween that turns us on our heads and has us enjoying all aspects of the spooky and macabre? Why do we suddenly feel it’s appropriate to hang fake spiderwebs from trees, carve faces into pumpkins that we don’t even plan on eating, and mount a plastic skull on every surface available to us?

Is it because Halloween gives us a “safe space”, so to speak, to come face-to-face with the unspeakable: mortality? After all, we are rarely given an opportunity to speak openly about death, as we live in a death- and grief-avoidant society, where many seem to believe that even uttering the word death will bring doom upon them. Under the shade of Halloween, we can delight in ghastly tales, dressed as zombies while eating cupcakes that look like brains. We can even dress up as Death, making light of a usually dark topic.

Also…what’s with the black cats?

The spooky roots of Halloween

Halloween goes back much further than many people realise – but let’s begin with a more recent contributor to modern Halloween: Queen Victoria of England (the same woman behind modern wedding traditions and Christmas, too!). During Halloween of 1891, the Daily Enquirer reported on the following celebrations held by the queen at Balmoral castle:

When the frolic was at its height there suddenly appeared from the rear of the castle, a grotesque figure representing a witch, with a train of ogres and elves as attendants. All these made every possible demonstration of terror at sight of the huge bonfire. Then followed an ogre of demonical aspect and shape, followed by another hideous warlock drawing a car in which was seated the effigy of a witch surrounded by other figures in the guise of ogres and demons. These unearthly intruders were marched several times around the bonfire, and finally the chief figure, the embodiment of witchdom, was taken from the car and hurled into the blazing pile amid weird shrieks and howls from the masked demons, who instantly fled into the darkness with, the cheers of the multitude mingled with the wildest strains of the bagpipes, and a great display of fireworks.

Speaking of witches, it’s supposedly they who we must thank for black cats’ association with Halloween. Back when the Puritans pilgrims settled the Plymouth Colony in America, they brought with them a strict Protestant lifestyle and, as a result, a deep fear of witches. Therefore, they were highly suspicious of anything related to witches, including black cats, believed to be the familiars of witches and given to them as servants from the Devil. Witches were also believed to be able to transform into black cats and back again, and even be reincarnated as cats after death. This is where the superstition surrounding black cats stems from, and as a result of this superstition, many shelters will not adopt out a black cat nearing or on Halloween.

Ancient ritual and remembering those passed

Before Queen Victoria however, there were numerous others who sought a spiritual understanding of death through ritual, such as the Celtics and their festival of Samhain (pronounced “sa-win”). Samhain was a mix of a harvest festival and a New Year’s celebration and signified that the darker part of the year was ahead: a time when crops would wilt, and many wondered if they would survive the winter at all. It was also very much a community event, where ceremonial fires were used to light the hearths of the village, and festivities were held that included feasting and drinking, story-telling and prayer, and gods and spirits could move between the veils of the living and the dead as they saw fit.

 Witchy or kitschy

The roots of Halloween are fascinating to many – so does this fascination mean that we should discuss grief and death more openly (regardless of whether it’s that of a human or an animal)? If you choose, Halloween can be a time of reflection and commemoration: you can leave out a dumb supper for your recently lost pet (perhaps some of their favourite treats), or gather together photographs of your pet and surround them with candles. After all, ritual is a large part of moving through grief. If you choose not to partake of any ritual, simply enjoy this kitschy holiday as you see fit – candy, costumes and all.


 

What our clients say...

Testimonials

Greer Thompson

We were thrilled at the care & love that was shown to us, and our beautiful little Paris (dog) pre her cremation!! Had no dramas what so ever in relation to them taking care of Paris after we said goodbye to her at the Vets Hospital in Springwood! Loved how we got a death certificate, a seed to plant in her honour, & other little mementos of her, that came in a lovely folder!! Also loved how they delivered her to our home, the gentleman dressed in a lovely suit & he was wearing white gloves!! A truly nice touch I thought!! This was 2 years ago! Was recommending them to my niece who sadly is putting their much loved Bailey (dog) to sleep today, 3/6/17!! Was reading thru some of the reviews so thought I would post a positive for Pets in Peace!

Greer Thompson
Brisbane

Katrina Eddy

We will forever be grateful to Pets in Peace for the care and understanding when our Maybe passed. It was a tough time for us and the way they handled it was with the highest respect and understanding. We are very happy to have our baby home now and are extremely happy in this sad time with the service we received. I would also like to thank Eddy the gentleman who came out and collected our sweet girl for his work and the care taken with Maybe. In this time of sorrow it is so great to know that there are people there to help with decision with such understanding. Thank you again. Will have no problem recommending your service to anyone that may need it.

Katrina Eddy
Brisbane

Jade Wright

Thank you so much! I couldn’t recommend pets in peace enough. Our little Bowzer crossed the rainbow bridge and we have something so beautiful to keep with us forever. I found all your staff to be compassionate, helpful and patient with us while we not only processed our little boy leaving this earth but also deciding on all on the arrangements. We thank you for being so understanding and nothing was ever too hard even when we requested a particular white paw to be printed. Thank you again.

Jade Wright
Brisbane

Stephanie Hulett

Absolutely recommend Pets in Peace. They were so kind, respectful, professional and compassionate. Every step in the process was well-considered to support the owner during a difficult time. The team went out of their way to handle my beautiful pet in a thoughtful & considerate way, and gave me the support, time and opportunity to say good bye & grieve. Losing a pet is awful, but Pets in Peace made the whole thing a bit more bearable & helped me honour my pet’s memory.

Stephanie Hulett
Brisbane

Stuart Cain

We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the absolute care and dignity shown to ALL our family members during the passing of our two puppies that you have cared for. My children and grandchildren asked me to pass on their appreciation to Jeremy who cared for Zorro, he went above and beyond and Tracy who I spoke with during our most recent experience was professional and personal at the same time which is often difficult to achieve in difficult times! We can’t recommend you highly enough and will be returning when the need arises in the future.

Stuart Cain
Brisbane

David & Rob

Dear Martin & Bev, 

We just wanted to follow-up on our thank you card from yesterday to say how much we have valued the sensitive and compassionate service we received from all the staff of Pets In Peace. From the moment of our initial email inquiry two weeks ago to the safe delivery of Akimi’s ashes to us yesterday, we have always felt we were in safe and professional hands. We received expert care in every stage of the process. 

We have no doubt that the moment Akimi was taken into care by Pets in Peace, she would have been treated with the same dignity and respect we were with each email and phone contact. I spoke and emailed with Abbey several times and she was always calm, professional, and very caring in our time of grief and loss. Abbey took the time to listen to our needs and recommended a service appropriate to that. Please thank her for us; she is definitely a credit to you. Also the time the driver spent chatting with me yesterday was deeply appreciated; my apologies as I have forgotten his name. But he did not simply drop the ashes and run but took the time to have a personal interaction and talk to me as one who understood what I was going through. That will not be forgotten. 

And the sensitive, caring, and secure way Akimi’s ashes were returned to us was very comforting. The sealed scatter box with the ashes inside a sealed bag within a velvet bag in the box. And on a bed of pink tissue paper. We loved the engraved plaque and the sensitive cremation certificate and a gold paw print. And her lock of hair will be treasured. Such attention to detail and care with these mementos is deeply appreciated. We can’t thank you all enough for making such a difficult and traumatic time that much easier for us. 

We scattered Akimi’s ashes this morning in the garden below our balcony, along with some yellow rose petals. Just a simple and short ceremony with the two of us, and she is now at rest. And the gorgeous engraved plaque has been affixed to a lovely frame with the photo of Akimi in it. And today we registered a star in her name with the International Star Registry. She may be gone from us physically, but her light will never fade in our lifetime.   

Once again, we can’t thank you enough for being there for us when we needed you. 

Best regards,

David and Rob 

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Loganholme

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