Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Rainbow Bridge

(Image provided by CC49 on flickr)

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and 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 times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be 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 quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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 the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Author Unknown.... Poem found on Pet Loss Grief Support

1 comment:

Joss said...

Oh. my. goodness. I'm at work. Where's the box of tissues. I've totally teared up here.
::blows nose::

That's so amazing. Makes me think of our previous dog. We left her in South Africa when we moved here 11 years ago, and it broke our hearts to do so. Her next owners eventually had her "put to sleep" about 6 years ago when she was struggling with arthritis. She was such an amazing dog that we still regularly talk about her, even though our time with her ended so long ago. Every time we see a border collie we get all excited and talk about how "there's a Snoopy dog." My grandmother, who is now in Australia, has a framed picture of her with Snoopy right next to the couch in the living room. We were blessed to have her in our lives for 8 years and will never forget her. Just felt like I should write this.