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| These pages are dedicated to
those furry children who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge that I have known and loved. Until we all cross the
Rainbow Bridge and meet again, we will think of them with fond memories and warm hearts. |
Laurie's
Rainbow Bridge
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Ti's Page |
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Pooh's Page
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Angus' Page |
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Maxie's Page |
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Diarmid's Page
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MacGregor's Page
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Merlin, Georgie, Sylvia, Jake
& Khola's Page
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Cinder, Star,
& Molly's Page |
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Shy, Sheba
& Poco's Page
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| The Rainbow Bridge
- - Author Unknown
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the "Rainbow Bridge" because of it's
many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green
grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather.
The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with
each other.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So each day
they run and play until the day comes when all those pets you have loved suddenly stop playing and look into
the distance. Their bright eyes are intent, their eager bodies quiver. Suddenly they begin to run from the group,
flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friends meet, you take them in your arms and embrace
in a joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress
the beloved heads and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pets, so long gone from your life but
never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together. Never again to be separated. |
WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE
on September 11, 2001
~~ by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident
On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge.
Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.
An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait.
Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about
the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?
We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there
is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.
Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment..
An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.
They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000 loving people had left Earth long before
they were ready. All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts.
Without hearing more,
there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving
kisses forever."
One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there
any children coming? I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be
hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working
breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs volunteered to do what they do
best, cuddle and kiss. Father Mike got a special little Yorkie for his very own.
It was difficult to determine who was comforting whom the joy was so complete!
Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human
who needs love."
Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting,
overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag. |
Christmas
at the Rainbow Bridge
- - Author Unknown
As the midnight hour approaches on Christmas Eve, a tremendous celebration begins.
If you listen closely you will hear the exuberant sound of Bridgekids preparing for the remarkable moment
that comes but once a year.
Puppies romp through the tall green grass, chasing butterflies and rolling over and over until fits of giggles
bring them to a tumbling stop.
The volume increases as kittens, cats, tigers and lions purr in pure delight while the wings of snow white
doves gently caress the air.
The babbling brook that runs beneath Rainbow Bridge overflows onto the edge of mossy banks and fins of
treasured aquatic life quiver in anticipation of this most joyous event.
Nestled in the midst of this happy choir of Bridgekids are the littlest angel tots staring in awe at the majestic
Christmas tree adorned with flowing strands of angel hair.
Effervescent, twinkling stars seesaw elegantly from the sky and land in glorious harmony upon the stoic
limbs of Heaven's most perfect Christmas tree.
Swaying to and fro in nearby rocking chairs are grandmothers,grandfathers, parents, aunts, uncles and
loved ones.
The sound of their whispered lullabies permeate the air as they sing to tiny angel babies resting quietly
in their arms.
Like magic the clock approaches midnight and a great stirring is heard in the distance.
Each Bridgekid stops and listens, knowing the time is near, and they choose a fleecy cloud on which to snuggle.
The roar of purrs drops to barely an audible hum, the babbling brook ripples hypnotically and the flutter
of downy feathered wings fall silent.
Heaven's spirited toddlers climb expectantly upon the laps of angels while babies coo in tranquil unison.
Amidst the warm glow of candlelight, which rises from the earth below, the arms of the Bridge Keeper envelop
the heavens and into the precious hands of each child and in front of each animal a holy gift is placed.
With grand exuberance the ribbons are removed and left to fly on a tender breeze where they dissolve into
showers of angel dust.
As the golden lids of these heavenly gifts are raised, an amazing aura fills the sky, reaching down to the very
core of the earth.
Ascending from each and every box is the greatest gift of all.unending, unconditional, all-encompassing love.
This blessed love gently wraps itself around the cherished souls of heaven, warming their hearts with
beacons of radiant light and bringing forth from angels an exquisite chorus.
As the clock strikes midnight the distance between heaven and earth is vanished.
It is at this very moment on Christmas Eve that the Bridge Keeper, His children, angels and Bridgekids send
a message to their earthly loved ones on the wings of this unbridled love.
Listening carefully with an open heart we will hear the familiar voice of our own angel whisper softly into our
ear their Christmas message...
"Let me share with you this love of mine, always and forever. When you need me know that I am here.
I have not left you for I am in your heart where I belong. Our love is eternal as is the brilliant glow of
candlelight which illuminates the path to the heavens and Rainbow Bridge.
I wait patiently as do you for our inevitable and glorious reunion.
I love you, I love you, I love you."
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I cannot say, and I will not say
That they are dead - they are just away!
With a meow or bark, and a wag of the tail,
They have wandered off to an unknown vale,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It must be since they linger there.
And you - O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old time step and glad return,
Think of them faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;
Think of them still as the same, I say:
They are not dead - they are just away!
Modified from a Poem by
James Whitcomb Riley |
Farewell
- - Robert Hepburn
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond gilt on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand by my grave and cry...
I am not there... I did not die.
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Do Dogs Go To Heaven?
The question, it seems to me, suggests more the arrogance of Man than the worthiness of these virtuous animals.
Consider for a moment, these personal observations of the dogs I have known and loved:
Without exception, they savored life for all it could offer. They faced every one of their days with a sense of adventure and joy and good-natured spirit, a spirit tempered only by an overriding eagerness to please and love their masters, for nothing gave them more pleasure.
Not to the smallest degree were they capable of recrimination, sarcasm, pettiness or treachery. They were, however, eminently capable of qualities to which Man can only aspire.
"Unconditional love", for example, is a very modern term Man has coined to describe a paragon of loving...an all-forgiving love, a love without reward, expectation, or promise of reciprocity.
Yet dogs, from time immemorial, have exemplified this ideal of love.
What other friend, I wonder, would have not a flicker of care whether you were successful or an abject failure, whether you were homely or comely, clean or smelly-dirty, foolish or clever, beggar or king?
Who else would judge you--not by your appearance, power, or money--but solely by the kindness of your hand and heart?
Yet who else, I ask, would forgive a blow with a kiss to the offending hand?
Come what may, he loves--no, adores--you, be you sinner or saint. And he will softly lick the sores and wounds the world gives you, and never ask (or worse, tell you) what you did to deserve them.
And if Man is a dog's "God", what man serves God with such a thoroughly cheerful, immediate and unquestioning obedience as a dog serves his master?
Show me a man who so delights in all the great bounties God has given him.
Show me a man as gleefully grateful for his wonderous blessings as a dog is for a scrap of would-be garbage from his master's hand.
Show me a man as trustful, as humbly devoted, as appreciative and joyfully submissive to God, as my brainless, souless dog is to me.
Yes, show me this man, this saint, who so embodies all these abiding virtures.
Then I will show you, my friend, a man with a soul as deserving of Heaven as the most meager of dogs.
-Roy Alan Wilson, Millburn, New Jersey
February 29, 1996 |
There is no such thing as death.
In Nature nothing dies.
From each sad remnant of decay
Some forms of life arise.
-- Charles Mackey, 1814-1889 |
If It Should Be
- -Author Unknown
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 stay 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 that time comes please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend,
But stay beside me to the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail it's last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Do not grieve, it must be you
Who decides this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years
Remember joy among your tears. |
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That special place in our hearts feels so empty...But we realize, as time passes, that animals have a way of
teaching us about loving, about loyalty, joy, and friendship...And whatever we've shared in their presence can
never really be lost. - - Hallmark |
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It's funny, I've forgotten the names and faces of so many people who've touched my life, but I remember
every detail of every dog I've ever known. Maybe it's because they've touched my soul. - -Hallmark
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It takes a long time to get used to the loss of someone we love. But it's important to remember that when animals
die, they leave something very special behind - - they leave of memories of the things they did. As long as we
have those memories, the animals we love will live on in our hears and minds.- - Hallmark
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Pet was never mourned as you
Purrer of the spotless hue,
Plumy tail, and wistful gaze
While you humored our queer ways,
Or outshrilled your morning call
Up the stairs and through the hall
Foot suspended in its fall
While expectant, you would stand
Arched to meet the stroking hand;
Till your way you chose to wend
Yonder, to your tragic end.
- - Thomas Hardy |
I got to the gate of heaven today,
After we said good-bye,
I began to miss you terribly,
Because I heard you cry.
Suddenly there was an angel,
And she asked me to enter heaven's gate,
I asked her if I could stay outside
For someone who would be late.
I wouldn't make much noise you see,
I wouldn't bark or howl,
I'll only wait here patiently,
And play with my tennis ball.
The angel said I could stay right here
And wait for you to come,
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
If I went in alone.
So I'll wait right here, you take your time,
But keep me in your heart,
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
Without you to warm my heart.
- - Author Unknown |
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
Animated Book Grahpic courtesy of:
Background, Divider Bar, Homebutton and
The Rainbow Bridge on
Sept 11th graphic by Laurie
**Please do not take without Permission** |
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