We thank you for following our series, The Rainbow Bridge Helps Pet Owners Through the Grieving Process. In the first installment of this series, you learned that mourning the loss of a pet is a common and natural process. You were then introduced to The Rainbow Bridge, a poetic prose piece that was created in either the 1980s or early 1990s. 

This tells the story of how when our pets pass from the physical world to the spiritual world, they move on to a meadow that sits just outside of Heaven. They are restored to their full health and are happy. They play and live until their owners arrive – in spiritual form – and then, they walk with their owners over the Rainbow Bridge and into Heaven, to live forever together. This week, we will continue by providing you with more information on this beautifully-written piece.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called “Rainbow Bridge”

When an animal does 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 stone 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 things; 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

Who Wrote The Rainbow Bridge?

While considered to be a beautiful and inspiring piece, the author of The Rainbow Bridge is unknown. According to speculation, there are three individuals that could have been the author of the piece:

• Many believe that the head of the organization known as the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, Dr. Wallace Sife, could have written The Rainbow Bridge. He wrote a poem that is published on both the website and a book that he composed regarding pet loss that is called, All Pets Go to Heaven.
• A man by the name of Paul C. Dahm has been deemed the author of the piece because he published a book in the year of 1998 named The Rainbow Bridge. This individual is a grief counselor that works in the State of Oregon.
• The final contender is William N. Britton. He authored the book Legend of Rainbow Bridge in the year of 1994.

Despite the fact that the concept associated with Rainbow Bridge is well-received and relatively new to the world, the concept of pets going to a type of paradise immediately following their physical passing is not new. This concept was original outlined in a book called Beautiful Joe’s Paradise. Additionally, it is believed that the poem was published on the website of the organization known as the Akita Rescue Society of America in the early 1990s. Regardless of who wrote the piece, where it was originally published, or when the concept was initially introduced, The Rainbow Bridge is an inspiring piece that allows pet owners that have experienced loss to hope and anticipate a future reunion with their animals.

The Rainbow Bridge allows us to believe that, despite moving out of the physical body, that our pets are in a beautiful, happy place. It seems that their transition to the meadow is easy and beautiful. The difficult part lies with us, their mourning owners. It may be some time yet before you make it to Rainbow Bridge, but, while your pet is awaiting your arrival, there are many ways you may remember them while in the physical body. You may create a memorial, you may get pet keepsake jewelry, or you may obtain another type of item that will keep your pet’s memory alive in your life. If you have an interest in memorializing your pet, visit us today at: http://tearcatcher.com/