The Rainbow Bridge

[starfire]

Someone mentioned The Rainbow Bridge in another post, for those that don't know about The Rainbow Bridge I am posting it here. It brings tears to my eyes when I read this.


THE 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 and 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, someone 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. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away 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

[thrillbilly]

Its also a very tall steep and narrow real bridge in Bridge City Texas within seeing distance of my dads place.

Im gonna send him a copy of your post. i think he will like it.

[Kathy]

I think I was the one who mentioned it. I have the book called Rainbow Bridge by Paul Dahm.

Here's on online memorial site if anyone would like to include their companion who's crossed over the RB.

www.rainbowbridge.org/

[starfire]

I wasn't sure who mentioned it.

Thanks for the site. I will have to poke around there.

Where did you find the book, I didn't know there was one?

[Kathy]

Starfire, I got my copy from Amazon.com I got a used copy but I think they have it new also.

It's a good book to have if you have or know people who have a lot of cherished pets. Sometimes lending it out to those grieving helps ease the pain just a little.

[starfire]

This has been posted before but for those that don't know about the "Rainbow Bridge" here is the poem/story.

[kyosa]

Hi Starfire,

A couple of days ago I mentioned the Rainbow Bridge in a reply to Don's post about losing his dog Sophie. I don't know if that's the post you saw or not. It's one of those stories that cause the 'allergies' to kick in a bit no matter how often you've read it isn't it? If something like that would indeed happen I'll have several special ones waiting for me.

[Deleted]

What do you mean, IF? Of COURSE they're all there waiting!

I'm gonna really be slobbered when I get to see all mine again!

[Kathy]

I'm looking forward to seeing so many special dogs and cats as well as a sweet pygmy flying squirrel.

Just thinking about it is kicking up those dang 'allergies'.

[starfire]

kyosanim- yes that is the one I am talking about,

I have had pets of all kinds growing up. But I have not been as close to them as my baby now. She is the 1st dog I had by myself. So indeed she is so rotten she stinks! LOL I can't even think about losing her even though I know it will come some day.

[Deleted]

A Dog's purpose, from a 4-year old

Being a veterinarian, I was called to examine a ten-year old Irish wolfhound named Belker.

The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything more for Belker, and I offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm petting the dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few moments, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We all sat together for a while after Belker's passing, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up; "I know why."

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? The four-year old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that", so they don't have to stay as long."

[starfire]

Kaz - that is a good one!