In Inverness, Scotland in 1959, Edna Clyne-Rekhy lost her dog Major. She wrote a poem called Rainbow Bridge to honor him. Most of us with pawprints across our hearts have probably heard or read it at some point. Just as writing the timeless poem was therapy for Edna to navigate her loss, reading it or even knowing its gist is comforting when we lose our own beloved pets.
According to this article that explores the origin and history of the poem, Paul Koudounaris learned that it evolved over time. Here is the author’s original text:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your 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 friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and strength, those who were hurt are made better and strong again, like we remember them before they go to heaven. They 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 shining, his body shakes. Suddenly he begins to run from the herd, rushing over the grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again. You and your pet are in tears. Your hands again cuddle his head and you look again into his trusting eyes, so long gone from life, but never absent from your heart, and then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Building Our Rainbow Bridge
As more and more dogs visit and leave their literal pawprints across Poochie Garden, I’ve felt compelled to add a Rainbow Bridge memorial. Our space just needed a feature honoring the fur babies who lived here before. Lapochka the Pomsky helped me build it one hot July afternoon. Is it silly that I can picture him singing his own Taylor Swift parody here? “All of the pets you loved before (ooh), Made you the one I’ve fallen for…” (Apologies, Taylor!)
Our Rainbow Bridge honors each pet who called Poochie Garden home or cherished time here.
First, we built the bridge itself (we used this one – sponsored ad). Next, we installed it in a serene corner of the yard where our sweet husky is buried. Finally, a rainbow glass wind chime (we used this one – sponsored ad) and colorful custom-engraved tags (we used these – sponsored ad) for each of our friends who called this garden home complete the memorial.
Right now, our memorial honors cats Ziggy and Marley, rabbits Cadbury and Bunny, and dogs Dylan, Woody, and Tundra. We invite the guests who cherish time they spend here to remember their best friends at our Rainbow Bridge when that time comes, too.
Do you have special memorials for your pets?