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The Rainbow Bridge
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Sofiblu
The Rainbow Bridge
From Sofiblu's Blog RSS in The Animal Rescue Site RSS by Sofiblu
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The Rainbow Bridge
Jul 8, 2008
I have kept this newspaper clipping for years. It may have come from Ann Landers, I don't remember. The author is unknown. It makes me cry when I read it, but is also a comfort.

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly looks up! The nose twitches. The ears are up. The eyes are staring. And this one suddenly runs from the group.

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in yours arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your missing pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
Posted by Sofiblu Jul 8, 2008 7:19 AM PDT
13 Comments
All of my pets are my heart babies. I am going to get mauled on the Rainbow Bridge and I won't mind a bit. I don't know why I had to comment on this. I'm wiping tears thinking of all of them. You see, we take in lots of strays and feed and care for them. So, when you do that you are bound to lose one here and there. Doesn't matter how many I lose. Still breaks my heart.
by
Mandrbatey
Aug 29, 2008 4:22 PM
my vet has a copy of the rainbow bridge in her office. i love this poem. it makes me feel good about the animals i have lost and i have lost sooooooo many in my lifetime. i always picture them up there romping around w/ God and being free like the angels that we carry w/ us everyday.
by
clare3
Aug 29, 2008 9:39 AM
I too have many pets waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. All of them have a piece of my heart with them. The last one to go was my beloved Kira. She was the love of my life. We fought for nearly two years to keep her with us. She had heart problems and really bad arthritis. She was over 100lbs of pure golden retriever joy and love. In the last years we carried her outside, we tried everything we could to keep her with us until eventually there was nothing else to do. She died in my arms so quickly and I miss her so much. I would give anything for more time with her. To wake up and see her lying there watching me in the morning and to see her grinning face and soulful eyes. One day I will at the Rainbow bridge.
by
cotn4e
Aug 28, 2008 11:19 PM
I, too, understand The Rainbow Bridge all to well. Growing up in a house with only fish (my mom is allergic to dogs and cats), I didn't get a dog until 2 years ago. My then boyfriend (now my husband) grew up with dogs and cats and wanted a dog in the worst way. March 2006 was the day my heart melted when we were "just looking" (and ended up taking home that day) our white boxer puppy, Doc. It's been two months since we had him put to sleep and my heart breaks every day. I never realized how much of my heart he really had.

Doc had a urinary tract infection from the day we got him until shortly after his first birthday. He had a compromised immune system and would have medical problems off and on through out his life. The last was what the vet said was something with his pancreas. We had him put down on a Tuesday. He was only 2 1/2. The day before we came home to find that he had pooped on the floor, which he had never done not even as a puppy. My husband took him outside and all he wanted to do was lay in the grass, even while he peed. They came in the house and Doc laid on the floor, on his side. The pink spots on his face were now pale. His gums and tongue were white. We called the vet and they told us to bring him in. It turned out that he was dehydrated and had to stay overnight at the vet. The next day was the worst. They ran tests and after talking with my family and my husband's family, finding out that he may not get better, we decided to put a end to his suffering. He went to sleep in my arms. I didn't understand how fast the shot would take, but I talked to him the whole time. We don't regret our decision. Knowing what I know now, I would do it all over again......all the expensive vet bills, all the expensive meds, all of it. He will always have my heart, I will never forget him, but I do miss his kisses, the way he would lay next to me, and I miss holding him. He was 65 pounds, but would still lay on top of you. I so look forward to the day when I see him, again!
by
Doc's Mom
Aug 28, 2008 9:05 PM
When my "Heart Dog", Sassy Died at 17 1/2 Yrs, my Vet came to the house to administer the shot so she could avoid becoming upset visiting the office. She slipped to the world of the Rainbow Bridge in my arms.
A week later a pkg came to my house--it was the book The Rainbow Bridge She had had all the other Vets & Staff (most of them knew & loved Sassy for years) sign the book with a comment. I was overwhelmed with their thoughtfuness & generosity. It was the most caring gesture anyone had ever made when my other dogs had died.
I love this Vet & had asked for her in this large practice not knowing that she had just recently become a Vet. I just knew that I liked her & felt she was going to be great for Sassy--& she was!! She now cares for my Strawberry Fields in the same compassionate manner.
I firmly believe that our precious pets will be waoting for us when we join them in Heaven. After all remember St Francis of Assisi...
by
Setterbabe
Aug 28, 2008 4:00 PM
i've read this one before too. it always makes me cry. i was taught in catholic school that animals don't have souls ans don't go to heaven. how can they not, with all they do for us? when i think of my first 2 cats, one who was put down at 3 for health reasons, and the other at 15 for heart problems, i like to think that they are healthy and happy, laying in a sunbeam eating tuna, waiting patiently for me to get there so we can play and they can get rubbed.
by
furkidsmom..
Aug 28, 2008 2:17 PM
For 26 years I had: Tyson, Spencer, Puff, and Ritz. First dog I ever had all my own was Tyson. He was my buddy, my pal, and my closest friend when I was so sick. I lost him to back problems when he was only 7 yrs old. I lost Spencer last year at 15 yrs old. He was preceeded by Puff, my tomcat-who had been dumped and made it to my yard when he still had his eyes shut. Nursed him along but an infection took him at age 7 yrs. Then the baby came! My 5 yr old neighbor took one look at this tortoise shell and pronounced that her name was Ritz Crackers-which he loved! She also had been dumped and I had to feed her with an eyedropper and wash her eyes daily. When she was five months old, I took her to have her fixed and the vet came out so sadly to tell me that she had tested positive for feline leukemia and would I like to put her down? Why? She runs and plays and eats and poops! She had about 3 infections over the course of ten years-recovering well each time. Then finally the leukemia took over. I still tear up for her, for she was the baby and slept with me and loved me for all she was worth. What a sweetheart! Now.......I'm alone. But what a wonderful ride it's been!!
by
Ritz1954
Aug 28, 2008 12:49 PM
I wish more people understand like all of you do. I lost my baby,Itsy,a precious little Yorkie,4 years ago. It happened fast and I was at the vets by myself. I got almost hysterical. But the vet was SO uncompassionate. She felt I was making a scene and took me and escorted me out and shut the door behind me. I was so in tears,I couldn't drive. After an hour,she and her staff left,seeing me in my car so upset but no one came over to help me. My husband got there 2 hours later and took me home. A friend drove my car home.
I miss my baby with all my heart.
by
Janie123
Aug 28, 2008 12:27 PM
I to have babies up at Rainbow Bridge waiting for me...I just lost another one last night to lymphoma..She was only 7 and 1/2 yrs. old. my little girl went through alot in her 7 years...When she was 5 we had to replace her ACL on one leg and the following year the other leg...Then the lymphoma...She never really had a chance to enjoy life .It is such a hard thing to do. I tell myself she is not in any pain anymore and she is much better now. Like the poem says-Rose is running around with her two brothers Sinbad and Ziggy...She was their protector--she was also my best friend and protector--My walking buddy..She walked so fast I was like a flag waving in the wind but, we enjoyed our walks. I don't know what I will do without her......Sometimes I can't wait to see them all again....Someday.
by
bartie
Aug 28, 2008 6:37 AM
Sadly, I have many pets waiting for me at the bridge.
Last year I lost my precious rescued Shih Tzu, Sasha,
whom I adopted when she was about 10 years old
and already had a bad heart, on November 14. Then
I had to put my big beautiful Tabby cat, Max, to sleep
two weeks later after a 7 month battle with lymphoma
that had included surgery and Chemotherapy.

Finally only one week after Max, another kitty, Maggie, who I had rescued from the shelter when she was already 14 years old and in ill health, finally had to be helped over the bridge when her final illness proved too much. She had been with me 5 days short of 5 full years. When I tried to adopt her the shelter worker said "why do you want her, she'll be dead in a week, she's really sick". I had to get a friend with a rescue card to pull her for me because they refused to release her to the public. Maggie had a will to live and was happy and spoiled during those final years with me.

Needless to say, it was a horrible time for me, losing 3 such special babies in such a short time frame. I have
sadly lost others as well. My passion is to rescue the old
ones and those with health issues, the ones no one else
seems to want, so I try to accept that these losses
are unavoidable, but it still breaks my heart each time.

I take great comfort in my belief that they are waiting for
me there, and also that they are together again. When I was holding Sasha during her final moments I was telling her that Blaze would be there waiting. Blaze was a sweet, gentle 85 pound Collie I'd had when I adopted Sasha and
she grew to adore her big brother. I'd lost him the year before, and I'm comforted in knowing that they are together again at the bridge.
by
bandits..
Aug 27, 2008 3:38 PM
Boy that gave me cold chills. But GOD heals all and all are reunited on day. I have 5 cats that are 11 years old and I wonder what will happen when I am gone as they are very spoiled and I have been their "mom" for all of the 11 years.
by
dngyblnd
Aug 19, 2008 7:52 AM
There is a poem called "The Rainbow Bridge". I sob and cry over that one every time I read it. I have lost many beloved animals and always know they are waiting for me to cross the bridge together. I have a very old pomeranian that is going to have to go to that field soon and wait for me, it breaks my heart to know I am going to physically lose her and won't have her here in this earthly life. But I take comfort in knowing she will be waiting. Thank you for the blog and the reminder of what we hope to see when we leave our earthly home.
by
db2byl
Aug 19, 2008 7:20 AM
I likewise come close to tears every time I read that because it is so beautiful. Some years ago, we adopted a little Chihuahua from the local SPCA whose leg had apparently been broken and never set properly. He could still run and play, but he always favored that leg, but we lifted him up on the furniture with us and carried him up and down the stairs and just LOVED him. Our daughter named him Precious, and his name certainly fit him. When we had to have him put to sleep at an advanced age, it broke our hearts; I cried for days. But I picture him running around and playing, his leg perfect now, at the Rainbow Bridge until we are with him again.
by
raysluv
Aug 19, 2008 5:17 AM
 
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