What Have Animals Taught Us About Life-Affirming Love & Relationships?

Through our work and play with animals for over 30 years at BrightHaven, we learned that love is such an essential, transformative and powerful healing energy, it became the guiding force of our work, directing our choices and our interactions with animals and people. And the unconditional love that animals naturally share provides us with a … Read more

In Loving Memory of Sasha: The End of a BrightHaven Era

The past beats inside me like a second heart. —John Banville BrightHaven President and Founder Gail Pope shares warmhearted tribute to Sasha:   November 19, 2022, is a date I will remember with mixed feelings as it marked not only the death of our beloved Sasha, but also the end of a BrightHaven era. You … Read more

Lessons from Our Animals: What Are 3 Uplifting Opportunities of Grief?

The word “opportunity” may not come to mind when you’re emotionally reeling from the loss of a loved one. But as with most of the events we face in life – even the painful, heartbreaking ones – grieving holds many possibilities to deepen our capacity to grow and to love. Life-changing lessons are often found … Read more

Celebrate the Tremendous Healing Power of Love Each & Every Day!

At BrightHaven, love has always been a guiding force behind everything we do, guiding our choices and our interactions with animals and people. The BrightHaven Menu for Healing, which forms the foundation of our work, is also known as the “Love Sandwich” as it begins and ends with love. The profound effects of love in … Read more

Purchase with Purpose! 10 Ways You Can Help Animals This Holiday Season

The 2021 Holiday Season is nearly here!   We know that online holiday shopping is already in progress, so we wanted to share with you ways that you can purchase items for the animal lovers on your gift list – and of course that includes you – AND help animals at the same time!   … Read more

A Beautiful Tribute to Rico, One Amazing Cat

We are honored to share the loving tribute to Rico written by longtime BrightHaven friend and supporter, Dr. Kathryn Marocchino of The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets. Along with BrightHaven’s Gail Pope and Dr. Ella Bittel of Spirits in Transition, Kathryn co-created the Quality of Dying Checklist, which assesses quality of life as the hospice journey progresses … Read more

The End of a BrightHaven Era: Fray

BrightHaven President and Founder Gail Pope shares her heartfelt tribute to Fray:   “Somewhere around the beginning of 2003 we welcomed a new volunteer to the BrightHaven fold, Fray Huffman. After 17 years of devoted and unwavering service to the animals to whom she dedicated her life, I find it still hard to believe that … Read more

What Animals Want Us to Know About Living a Full Life

One of the many things that this shared COVID19 experience has brought front and center is the omnipresent impermanence of everything, including life itself.  That’s why setting the intention to live fully each and every day is so important, and animals can definitely show us how! The importance of Joy & Play I’ve been reading … Read more

A Loving Tribute to a BrightHaven Legend

dog joyfully running on wheels

BrightHaven President and Founder Gail Pope pays loving tribute to Bailey, a larger-than-life being: “March 26 th at 730pm saw the ending of yet another BrightHaven era, with the death of our amazing super-dog-man and old soul, Bailey. I am not sure that I can do justice to this larger-than-life character and the depth of … Read more

Saying Farewell to Our Lovely Layla

Black and white cat on table

BrightHaven President and Founder Gail Pope shares a heartfelt message about her beloved Layla: “I would like to share with you today the story of my Layla: a cat who lived, loved and died with us and along the way taught me more than I can ever say about love, dignity, acceptance and perseverance. Layla … Read more