The Rainbow Bridge



Please have your pets spayed or neutered!

Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies who has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and time gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing - they miss someone very special who was left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

-Anonymous, but there's more . . .

When a person who has given tirelessly and made it their life's work to save and succor abandoned animals and find them happy homes comes to the bridge, first one animal will stop and look into the distance, then more and more will look up and watch. For this is a person all the animals know about. As they have waited for their loved one(s), they have told the story of their rescue from loneliness, neglect and impending death, and the wonderful people who helped them until a special loved one could be found.

Oh, special friend of animals, you have been spotted, and all the dogs and other animal friends will run over the fields to thank the person who has enabled so many to have had good lives and memories. Then, will they all walk to the gate of St. Peter and say, "This is a person whose name is surely entered on the roll once for each of us whose life was changed." Then those friends who will be forever together step forward, and to the sound of great rejoicing from all the animals, cross the bridge together.

Written by Darla Fonseca



As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful-lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new,
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you,
to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful,
then a bright Glow pierced the night.

'Twas the Glow of many Candles
shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love
in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

- C.G. 1995


A DOG LOVER'S POEM

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear.
'It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here.'

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, you're arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wished I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today you tend it with such care
I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key,
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said 'It's me.'

You looked so very tired and then you sank into a chair,
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday
To say to you with certainty , 'I never went away.'

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew
That in the stillness of that evening I was very close to you.

The day is over ... I smile and watch you yawning
and say , 'Goodnight, sweet dreams, God bless,
I'll see you in the morning.'

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide
I'll rush to greet you and we'll stand together side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there's much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out
Then come home and be with me. "

Anonymous




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