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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 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 Rainbow Bridge together.........
Author Unknown.....
On July 18, 2000, my 'Mo left me.
He began his journey to Rainbow Bridge....and I wanted to go with him. I was about to begin a journey. A journey
of pain like I had never before felt in my life and will never experience again.
A journey of healing. Healing
a shattered heart....for I was expected to go on without the most precious soul who ever graced my life.
A journey of searching. Searching for understanding,
for comfort, from friends, from family, from strangers.
I received a fair amount of comfort and understanding
from my family. They knew how much my 'Mo meant to me.....how much we loved and depended on each other. But even
though they knew this, none of them had ever shared a bond of love with an animal.....ever known the special kinship that
'Mo and I shared. While they did their very best to help and comfort me...it was very difficult for them....and for
me......for try as they might, they had never felt the anguish I was dealing with.
I am a person with few close friends that I had come
to value and cherish over the years. While I thought, that of all people, these friends would be the ones to understand
me the best, I was sorely disappointed. Some were too busy to listen. One (perhaps in a misguided attempt to ease
my pain) told me that I shouldn't make myself sick over a dog. Others told me to get another one...as if my 'Mo could
be replaced.....like a worn out toaster that I'd had for 14 years. Another told me simply, "Well, you knew it would
happen someday...life goes on."
I found the greatest source of comfort, understanding
and support from strangers. Strangers who are now best friends that I still turn to. I have never met many of
these new friends face to face....and perhaps never will.
But I know that they will always be there for me.....as
each Christmas without 'Mo approaches, as his birthday comes along, as the anniversary of him "earning his wings" at Rainbow
Bridge hits me again each year. They will be there for me......as I will be there for them.
I am still on this journey......more than a year
after my 'Mo left me behind. Thank you to Lin, Whispers Mom. And to Helen, Puddin's Mom. To Kris, Katie's
Mom. To all the friends that I have met and made at the ivillage Pet Bereavement Board, thank you from the bottom of
my slowly healing heart.
'Mo's Mom Carol
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