Page 1 of 2
The Rainbow Bridge... (for pet owners)
Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:21 pm
by Lindaloo
Just this side of Heaven is a place called 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 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 or 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 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 in the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands 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 the Rainbow Bridge together......
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 12:45 am
by streetsoldier

...thanks, Lindaloo; I have had SO many furry friends over my almost 52 years that I'm afraid I'd be overrun when I reach there...but Annabelle (she be a ho') will run them off for "first dibs", if I survive her.

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 6:39 am
by Miss Mary
Linda - I too had many furry friends growing up. Mostly beloved cats and a few dogs. We had some bad luck with cats there for a while - one ran off when we moved 5 blocks away. We thought she went back to our old house but she never turned up. Another got a severe blood infection after a grooming (unsterile scissors) and a nick. She died a painful death. My last and most cherished cat was the best one! I look into Hope's eyes (our Golden Retriever) and wonder if she's my beloved cat reincarnated. Sounds wacky but true. Both behave the same way - glued to my side all day long. Both have/had dark, rust colored fur, brown eyes. LOL I guess if there's one pet I'd love to see again it's that last cat, Duffy. I had to give him away when I married my ex.....grrrrrr, he wasn't a pet lover. Ya know that should have told me something then and there about him.....LOL Anyway, I didn't have pets for 24 years after that. Yup, 24 years. Getting Hope was like waking me up from daydreaming. Hello - you're a pet owner again.....I need food/care/walks/love.

Wouldn't trade Hope for anything in the world now, but she sure turned my world upside down over 3 years ago!!! Pets can become like family members can't they? Just picturing a place like this helps us all cope with their passing's. I think animals go to a very special place when they die.
Thanks for sharing this!
Mary
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 7:11 am
by Danaus
That is such a comforting thought. The Black Rabbit (Watership Down) came for one of my bunnies Saturday. Katharine was such a sweetheart, she would lay beside you and set there as long as her head was getting scratched. Whenever she wanted attention, she would nudge you. She liked playing hide and seek, with her peeking out from under things, you reach for her and 'poof' she'ld hide. She was trained to come whenever she heard the cracker wrapper being rattled. She truly was a beloved friend.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:30 am
by Lindaloo
I too have had many furry friends. But, there is always that special one. One that thinks she/he is human.
So sorry to hear about your bunny Danaus. She sounds like your special one. I lost my Pomeranian (Roxie) on Oct. 3rd. She will be sorely missed because she was my special one.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:35 am
by j
You have my heartfelt sympathy Lin...you hang in there, and take comfort in knowing you will be together again. {{ Hug }}}}}
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:47 am
by Amanzi
Linda...
Have a look at this link.. I think you will be pleasently surprised
http://www.eternalanimals.com/question% ... answer.htm
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:49 am
by Rainband
That was Beautiful Lindaloo. I know you and Roxie will meet again. May God be with you and help you heal.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 12:52 pm
by Danaus
Lindaloo, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your Roxie. Maybe she and Katharine are playing together while they are waiting for us. That would be sweet.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:22 pm
by Lindaloo
Thanks for the link Bron. That was nice.
I sure hope so Danaus. Thanks for all the kinds words everybody.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:23 pm
by Stephanie
That was wonderful Lindaloo! I imagined Derby his old happy, healthy self reading that.
Have you every heard of "Best Friends"? They're located out of Kanab, UT and is a no-kill Animal Sanctuary. They mail news reports to their donors and often have the "Rainbow Bridge" story printed.

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:25 pm
by Lindaloo
I also thought of Derby as I read that Steph. I have not heard of that place. Do you have a link or some info about it? I would love to donate.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:29 pm
by Stephanie
They do some truly wonderful things and house all kinds of animals.
Here's the link;
http://bestfriends.com/
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:30 pm
by Lindaloo
Thank you!!

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:33 pm
by Stephanie
I encourage everyone to visit the link. You can't help but be amazed by the people that go there to volunteer, the various stories as to how the animals arrive there. They actively seek to place an animal, but some that cannot be placed anywhere will have a permanent home there.

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:39 pm
by Lindaloo
My goodness at the horses to be adopted Steph. Got my thinking cap on. lol. You may have started something here. lol.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 3:57 pm
by Stephanie
Lindaloo wrote:My goodness at the horses to be adopted Steph. Got my thinking cap on. lol. You may have started something here. lol.
OOPS! Did I just add to your vet bill????
I'm sure they couldn't find a better home....

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 4:08 pm
by StormCrazyIowan
Awwww!
Beautiful link guys!! I have lots of pets waitin' for me too! My special one is one of my cat's (that is still here), kittens. She came out completely gray, she was the runt, and the feisty one, and curious as heck! I have tons of pictures of her just being a goofy kitten, she was the cutest kitten I ever saw, and trust me, I have had a LOT of em thru the years! Well, on the day she turned 5 weeks old, she got curious and wanted to go outside when the door opened, and my brother accidentally stepped on her head on his way out the door!!

She didn't die right then, but lost blood and wasn't responding normally, so I rushed her to a Vet. hospital and they told me she would live, but she was brain-dead, and wouldn't even be able to walk or eat(by herself), and they suggested we put her down, so I did! Can't remember a day since then that I cried that much!! It's comforting to hear she'll be waiting for me!
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 5:20 pm
by Lindaloo
Oh no Jacki!! That is a sad story. Poor little baby. I know how you feel.
Yep Steph... you probably just added to my vet bill. They have already returned my phone call and are sending me some information. Thanks. lol.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 5:45 pm
by azsnowman
Thanks Linda, you know what my story is......I still can't bring myself to talk about it just yet, let's just say, my oldest huntin' buddy ain't doing too well these days..........
Dennis