Loved Pets at the Rainbow Bridge

RainbowBridge.com

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... Bandit and Buddy:    We called them "the butthead brothers".  Bandit, a Sheltie Shepherd mix was a shelter rescue that had been a stray and obviously abused.  He loved to play soccer and "sing".  He died at age 14 after having a series of strokes.  He is still loved and missed daily.  Buddy the "butthead" was a true knucklehead.  He was a Mastiff Pit Bull mix that was sweet as the day was long but not the brightest bulb in the box.  We said his theme song was "A do de do do, a do de do do, I'm pushing a rock, I'm pushing a rock." Seemed he was allergic to everything and suffered from grass allergies that affected his paws and food allergies that affected his skin.  So much for the mixed breed dogs are healthier theory.   He was adopted as a baby and we loved him every minute of his ten years.   Tiger:  Tiger was a shelter rescue.  We had recently lost Buddy and Joe was in the market for another "big stupid."  We searched and searched.  He thought he wanted another male. When we found Tiger, there was a litter of eight puppies.  We chose the biggest male and the biggest female to play with.  The male would have nothing to do with us, but Tiger was all love and snuggles.  That sealed the deal!   Tiger was never sick a day in her life.  At age six, she suddenly stopped eating.  We thought she might have eaten a foreign object and had a blockage.  Instead, she had inoperable stomach cancer.  She will never be replaced in our hearts. Corkie: Corkie was the only dog we ever paid for - she was born at a neighbor's and they were selling the Corgi pups.  My friend Lisa and I went to "look" at the puppies one day.  Lisa decided she had to have one.  Joe, said, "Absolutely not!"  So, I figured that was the end of the discussion.  A few weeks later, Joe purchased Corkie, put a bow around her neck and she was my Christmas present!  Best present ever.   Corkie died at the end of February 2013.  She was diagnosed with Lymphoma in December 2012.  We loved her every single minute of her life and miss our "little tattle tale."     Always a bridesmaid, never a bride! Corkie loved to play "dead armadillo".  It always made us laugh because she'd lie on her back, all four legs straight up in the air and remain absolutely still for long periods of time!  So sweet and funny!   Fiona:  Fiona was a stray I found while on a horseback adventure in Ireland.  She rode with our group every day - clocking 20 miles or more each day.  She was tireless and lived by her wits.  Our trail boss, Willie said if someone didn't give her a home that she would die on the Irish moors.  Sucker that I am - most people get a sweater when they go to Ireland - I came home with a black and white collie dog!  She fit right in - herding all the other dogs and bossing everyone around.  Ultimately, friends Karen and Milton Faulkner offered her an opportunity to be a therapy dog - she loved going to visit the children and do the "reading" program at the library.  She visited hospitals and nursing homes.  Her end days were spent with a family that had two adult autistic children - Fiona always wanted to be a loved only dog - and she got her wish!  We hope she's running in the green mountains of Ireland today!  Beau:  Beau was the love of my life and until Joe, my longest running relationship.  I purchased him while in college for $10.  The best money I ever spent.  He was a snow shoe siamese mix - beautiful lilac point.  You could do anything to Beau - he had the greatest temperament for a cat.  He lived a long, healthy and happy life.  He left us at age 21.  There will never be another cat like him.   Cuddles:  Cuddles was a Siamese mix that first belonged to Grandpa Joe.  When Grandma died and Joe remarried Cuddles came to live with us.  She was sweet but look out!  She was going to do whatever it took to defend her friends Beijing and Bangle.  She was part of the "sorority" - my three little girl cats who ruled the pool porch!  She had the most beautiful blue eyes - even competing in a cat contest for the Most Beautiful Eyes.  She lived a long happy life.   Bangle: Bangle was a chubby fat cat until the end of her life when she was barely 4 pounds!  She was the most unusual of cats - put together by a committee.  She had blue eyes,  Siamese coloring, oscelot shading, a tabby face and four white paws!  Bangle was adopted from the Orlando Humane Society as an older cat - chosen because of her ultra sweet personality and her ragdoll type attitude.  Pick her up and she melted into your arms.  She went to the Rainbow Bridge in March 2013.   Bailey:  Bailey was one of the most beautiful kittens I'd ever seen.  His mother was a Persian.  He was champagne colored and had glorious fur.  He was never very healthy, however, and died of a congenital defect when he was two.  Pretty, pretty Bailey.    Missing you  by Colleen Fitzsimmons for Shadow. I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here." I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.   I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more. I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there. I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me." You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there. It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away." You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew... In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you. The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning." And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.