The Food Bowl - For Pets and Their People

The Rainbow Bridge

by Heather on January 9th, 2008

I was feeling a little melancholy yesterday after reading a thread on a message board about pets that have passed on. It cemented my decision that much more that as much as we loved having pet rats we’ve decided it’s going to be a long time, if ever, before we’ll get more. They are really fantastic pets but they just don’t live very long and for anyone who’s ever had a pet die after a short time you know it doesn’t get easier the more you go through it.

Anyway, it goes without saying that I absolutely dread the day one of our longer-lived pets passes on. They’re all in excellent health and live stress-free lives (except when Turbo harasses the crap out of Sage, but she’s used to that by now), but the cats are all pushing 11 and Honey will be 10 this year. Still perfectly reasonable ages for housepets but that doesn’t lessen the dread.

Anyway, someone on the message board posted a link to Rainbow Bridge poems. The Rainbow Bridge, for those of you not accustomed to pet speak, is basically the animal version of heaven where pets wait for their owners. I know, the first time I heard about it I did a little “well, that’s kind of cheesy,” but I guess it’s just something you get used to because the reference doesn’t bother me anymore.

Keep reading to find out more about the Rainbow Bridge:

The Story of Rainbow Bridge
– Author Unknown

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 that 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.

I’ve come across that many times over the years and it never fails to make me tear up a little, which, to be honest, isn’t that hard to do in the first place!

Anyway, here’s a whole page full of stories and poems about the Rainbow Bridge. An online Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial site also exists at RainbowBridge.org.

Do you have one to share?

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POSTED IN: Cats, Dogs, My pets, Pet Links, Pets, Pets online, Small pets