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There have been some people who have posted in this forum, at one time or another, about the loss of a beloved pet. I know how that feels. I'd like to tell you about something (gonna break this up a bit, because there's more to show you than just what I have in this first post, so please forgive the multiple posts)...

So...there's this poem, "The Rainbow Bridge" (or "The Legend of the Rainbow Bridge" as quoted on some web sites)...most of you may have seen it. Though, honestly, even while I was raised all my life around dogs, I never knew about this poem or even its concept until recently, when I began the search to purchase my own dog from a breeder.

Now, I don't know that my intention here is necessarily to start a religious discussion. I mean, I am Roman Catholic, and so was brought up to believe certain things, and dismiss others. But I guess also that any discussion about this poem and its concept sort of make the discussion religious by nature. And I discovered a lot about this poem, its true author (because, apparently, there are others who have claimed authorship of it). To start off, let's take a look at the poem:

"The Rainbow Bridge

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....

Author Unknown"

Actually, as it turns out, the author was a grief counselor named Paul C. Dahm. He wrote a short book about it, and the information on this book (which appears to be out of print) can be found on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966302206/qid=1133798556/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-6391823-3188701?s=books&v=glance&n=283155. This book, at 151 pp., is intended obviously for those grieving the loss of a favored and beloved pet. There are also links, on the Amazon.com page for this book, for other good books of similar intent.

Of course, it seems that so many breeders, let alone web page authors and others have simply been satisfied to refer to the author of the poem as "anonymous". Clearly that is an error. But that is not my major concern.

Now, the famous Catholic monk and saint, Francis of Assisi, is quoted as writing: "A tool in your hands I am dear God, the sweetest instrument you have shaped my being into. What makes me now complete-feeling the soul of every creature against my heart. Does every creature have a soul? Surely they do; for everything God has touched will have life forever. And all creatures he has held". It, too, implies that there might indeed be some intermediary place, in what we may want to call "the afterlife" where the souls of beloved and departed pets await us. It's not unreasonable. And it's quite a nice thing to contemplate.

But Mr. Dahm wrote this poem, and the book it contains, for the sake of helping people deal with the loss of a pet. He said himself: “My poem has been around for a number of years and has helped hundreds of thousands to deal with the loss of their beloved pet. There are many stories of how others have handled their grief and many anecdotes and poems about a wide range of pets.” Where he might have received his inspiration for the concept of a "rainbow bridge" is worthy of question. There is the Norse legend of the bridge into Valhalla. And there are also these mystic elements:

http://www.lawoftime.org/law/rainbow.html

http://www.crystalinks.com/rainbows.html

http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/raylee/RainbowBridge/contents.html

The answer to the question of whether or not the place is a "rainbow bridge", or even if it exists at all? I think that is something that must be a very personal thing...and perhaps in some way, we can touch it through a mature, quiet contemplation and spirituality, and melding it with our own religious beliefs (if any). I don't think it needs to be a "rainbow bridge" at all (unless that image and concept serves the individual's needs and hopes). Was Paul C. Dahm onto something when he wrote it? Did he receive some sort of spiritual inspiration, or was it that he was drawing on imagery in his efforts as a grief counselor (imagery of the kind shown in the links above)? To ME, the poem IS very moving...deeply moving in fact, as my family has lost some great dogs and a cat over the years.

Here's another poem I found which is equally moving...and this one apparently IS anonymously authored (found it on: http://earthrenewal.org/rainbow_bridge.htm):

“The Loss of a Heart-Dog

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you so softly as you brushed away a tear, ‘It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here.’

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea. You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wished I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care. I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, ‘It's me.’

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, ‘I never went away.’

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over now ... I smile and watch you yawning, And say, ‘Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning.’

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come Home to be with me.

Author Unknown”

Anyway...I've gone on long enough I think. You get the idea. Feel free to chime in if you actually followed my existential and rather circular thinking here...

NOW...check out THIS poem, about those who start, run and work for rescue organizations (found here: http://lovecats4x.tripod.com/bridge.html):

“A RESCUER AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

Once in a while, the skies are grey at the rainbow bridge
And an old dog, tired and sick, can be seen approaching.
Those waiting at the bridge stand aside,
As they have been restored to youth and vigor
And this dog has not. They know what will happen next.

The sick old dog goes to a part of the lawn where
Several other sad dogs are also waiting and, slowly,
He lies down....for a long patient wait.

A young dog will ask another, ‘What is happening?
Why is that dog all tattered and sick and
Why is he looking so old, so sad?’
And a more experienced dog will reply,
’That dog had no home, no one to love and
So he has no one to wait for, here at the Bridge.
He cannot cross by himself.
Nobody cared for him when he was alive...
Only a rescuer who took him in until he died.’

Oh, how sadly the forlorn pack of dogs lie in the shade.
They know they cannot cross the bridge...
They have no hope.

Many days pass by. The sick old dogs wait and wait
While healthy, young dogs--one after another--are
Embraced by their owners and cross the bridge together.

Then one day, a shaft of golden sunshine
Surrounds an approaching human.
The old dogs all get to their feet and he goes to them.
As he touches each dog, petting their heads lovingly,
One after the other...each dog is transformed!
Youthful and gay, their tails are up and wagging!
Now they surround the man and in a joyous group
They cross the rainbow bridge together.

The young dog asks the more experienced one,
’What happened? How did that human do that?’
The older dog responds, ‘He was a rescuer!
On earth he took in many dogs who were homeless,
He nursed them and found them new owners and,
To thank him for his work on earth,
God has granted him the pleasure of taking
All those he rescued with him...into Heaven.’

~Author Unknown~”

(Go ahead, grab the box of Kleenex...LOL)

I covered this very concept in my story, "The Passing of Togo"...please have a look if you wish: http://baltosource.timduru.org/fanfic.php?ici=1&num=1286&lang=2&nsite=1

Have you lost a pet?

Over time, I've seen several dogs and one great cat of my family's pass on. Though Milo, my Aussie, is MY first dog. I've lived all my life around dogs and cats...and had tropical fish too.

OMG. Those are so beautiful! And sad. I got pass maybe the 2nd thing of the first poem before I started to cry. lol. The second one was pretty much immediate. So touching and true that one is. And the third was was probably my favorite. ^^ Thanks for showing us all these Seppala!

I've lost 6 cats(through the years), and 4 dogs(again through the years). My biggest loss was Sassy( She was the first cat I've ever had) and Angel( my cat that died of Cancer in Augest.

It's always sad to lose a pet. These poems are meant to provide comfort. And yet, they can send a pet owner right into tears...no matter how tough they think they are.

A dog, especially, provides such unconditional love and companionship...to lose him or her is a devastating blow. And now that I have Milo with me...my best friend, I know that, when that day comes (and it is yet still YEARS in the future...and something I currently don't think about), it's gonna be disastrous for me.

With Bo, my friends dog, I cried for at least 3days. Bo felt like he was mine, I have never really gotten over him. He was the best dog.

I love the Rainbow Bridge poems. Even though I believe in Heaven, Those poems make me feel even more like I'll see Laddie, Snicklefritz, Smokey, Socks, Trixie, and other pets one day. Those poems are so moving. I almost cried!