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 the special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our old friends are warm and comfortable.
All of the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigour: 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 in the distance.
Their bright eyes are intent; their eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly they begin to run from the group, flying over green grass, their legs carrying them faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend 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
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can’t be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stands the test.
We’ve had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer so?
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they’ll tend
Only stay with me until the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
It is a kindness that you do to me,
Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Do not grieve, it should be you
Who must decide this thing to do-
We’ve been so close, we two these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
When God made the earth and the sky
The flowers and the trees
He made all the animals
All the birds and the bees.
And when His work was finished
No one was quite the same.
He said “I’ll walk this earth of mine
And give each one a name”.
So He travelled land and sea
And everywhere He went
A little creature followed Him
Until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea
A little creature said, “Dear Lord
There’s not one left for me”.
The Father smiled and softly said
I’ve left you to the end
I’ve turned my own name back to front and called you
‘Dog’ my friend”.
Harold Wilson
High on whispered wings I fly, a radiant star, I light the sky.
Toward the sun I soar so free, a brilliant rainbow follows me.
I pulsate through your very soul and in my paws your heart I hold.
The day will come when you’ll fly too, I’ll be there to welcome you.
Until the time we meet again, I won’t journey far my friend.
For in your love I live so free, a brilliant rainbow guiding me.
Terri Onorato
I just wanted to let you know that I made it home.
The journey wasn’t an easy one, but it didn’t take too long.
Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh, so new.
I wish that you could close your eyes and see it too.
Please don’t be so sad, I miss you so much too.
It’s beautiful here where I am, but I worry a lot about you.
The sun this morning was the brightest I’ve ever seen and the grass is greener then green.
I can even hear your loving voice when you speak to me in your dreams.
An angel held my paw today and said I had to say goodbye.
She said that souls like mine are rare, so it’s time for me to spread my wings and fly.
I’m being made an angel here so if you look closely and believe,
You will see a bright new star to remind you I’ll always be near.
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep.
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can’t be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
Don’t let your grief then stay in your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship stands the test.
We’ve had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer so?
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they’ll tend
Only stay with me ’til the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see,
It is a kindness that you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Do not grieve, it should be you,
Who must decide this thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
