Farewell to Rain

Tribute to Lost Pets

Years ago, my family lost an 8 month old German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix (I suspect to a Black Widow bite), and it was extremely hard on me. My friend Rhonda, who also worked with the SPCA in town to re-home pets, jumped onto her internet at work and pulled up the poem called The Rainbow Bridge and printed me out a copy of it. I’d never heard of it before, and it was extremely moving. That printout has lived on my refrigerator door ever since.

Rain warming
herself by the
“fire”.

We also lost a beloved pet this year. Her name was Rain, and she was a yellow lab and husky mix. She died suddenly during the summer while the girls were away for vacation. The night before, she’d been up and running around, even chasing a laser pointer in the yard after dark. The next day she was a little slow, but we’d gotten used to that. I let the four of them outside, and she chased the other dogs for a while. Then, she just laid down in the grass and wouldn’t come in.

She had problems with her legs, arthritis I’m sure, so I let the other dogs in and got a leash that I could use under her belly to help her stand and walk. As I was still weak from chemotherapy, there was no way I could carry her. We made it across the yard and to the front steps, and there she collapsed. She died peacefully and happy a few moments later. She was 14. And once again, the sight of this poem on the door of the fridge brought me some comfort. I’ve not written of her since, and it’s still hard to.

Bless you, Rain, you are well-loved and well-remembered. Same to you Jorge. To anyone else who has lost a pet, whether recently or a long time ago, I hope this will bring you a little sense of peace. I’d like to share the poem here. Unfortunately, the author is unknown, so I can’t give credit where credit is due.

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 the 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 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 the Rainbow Bridge together…

–Author Unknown