Coping with
the Loss of A Pet
Its never easy
knowing when to let go, or being forced to let go, or even just
watching as a beloved pet drifts slowly away. At first, you
want to be taken along with them, and the pain is so difficult, it's
surreal. There is no way that others can understand the depth
of what you are experiencing. Only another person who has
experienced this loss can even come close to empathizing with
you.
We may not be
able to take the pain away, but we would like to help ease it.
Here are some of the things that helped us get through the losses
that we have suffered. There are a number of support groups
that you can join, both online and in person.
Most importantly,
know that you are not alone. This page is not finished, and we
hope that you will check back with us each week as we continue to
update it with links, references and stories that will help you move
through the pain and ease into a new life knowing all the while that
your pet is in a beautiful, peaceful world awaiting your
arrival.
[Do Animals Have Souls?] [The Rainbow Bridge] [The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi]
[Rainbow Bridge Returns] [Return
of Rainbow Bridge] [North of
Rainbow Bridge] [All Pets Go To
Heaven] [I
Awoke Across the Bridge] [Native
American Legend] [Norse Legend] [The
Lonely] [Rescue Rainbow Bridge]
[Sequel] [Another
Rainbow]
[Habits] [Angel of
Cats]
Other Helpful Sites: [Missing
Pets] [Chicago AVMA]
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
Prayer of
St. Francis
O Lord
Make me an instrument of
your Peace.
Where there is hatred,
let me
sow Love;
Where there is injury,
Pardon.
Where there is
discord,
Unity.
Where there is doubt,
Faith.
Where there
is error,
Truth.
Where there is despair,
Hope.
Where
there is sadness,
Joy.
Where there is
darkness,
Light;
O Divine Master,
Grant that I
may not so much
seek to be consoled, as to console,
to be
understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
For
it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning, that we are
pardoned,
it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal
Life.
~ St. Francis of Assissi
A
special thanks to Novareinna
for providing this wonderful material to our site.
Please visit them at http://www.novareinna.com/.
Another special thanks to the many artists to whom I have taken the presumptuous
liberty of linking too - I do not know where I obtained this
artwork, so please let me know if you recognize the work, as I would
like to locate them and give them credit (as well as ask permission
to use their artwork!). Meanwhile - gracious artists - many
thanks for lending us your beautiful artwork for such a beautiful
page - you have given many people comfort...
The
earthly Rainbow Bridge is an American national monument (proclaimed
in 1910) located in Southern Utah at the base of Navajo Mountain,
just North of the Arizona border. A natural formation of salmon-pink
sandstone, it resembles the arc of a rainbow and is the largest
natural bridge in the world. A former branch of the Colorado River
created the Rainbow Bridge through erosion, first by carving the
Bridge Canyon and then enlarging a hole which, over time, became the
Bridge itself.
Known as "Nonnezoshi"
(which means "rainbow turned to stone") to the Navajo
people who dwell in that region,
the tribe members have been aware of the Bridge for many years, but
it only became well-known after 1909, when local guides led a group
of white explorers to the area. Rainbow Bridge is considered by the
Indians to be a sacred place and special prayers are offered before
passing beneath the monument. Failure to do so is believed to bring
misfortune. Tourists may hike to the Bridge only with the permission
of the Navajo Nation, which owns the surrounding land. In deference
to the tribal elders, it is requested that all visitors refrain from
walking upon the hallowed ground under Rainbow Bridge.
Perhaps
it is from this notion of such a sacred area that the heavenly
Rainbow Bridge was created, although some believe it may have been
inspired by an ancient Norse legend. The story of this joyful place,
where all animals are transported after their time on earth is done,
has been recounted for a long time. It is not exactly known who
first spun the tale and there are several variations...some of them
available in print.
All
have a similar beautiful and comforting theme.
Return
of Rainbow Bridge
There
is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow
Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of Rainbow Bridge
is a special land.
When
an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that
pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills and valleys
with lush green grass for all of our special friends, so they can
run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and
sunshine, and our friends are warn and comfortable. All the animals
who have 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 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. The bright eyes are intent, the nose
twitches and the eager body quivers. Suddenly, this one breaks away
from the group, flying over the green grass, legs carrying them
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...
The
little dog arrived at the Rainbow Bridge and a pack of dogs rushed
up to greet him. He braced himself, expecting a fight, but this was
the first pack that wagged their tails and kissed him instead of
attacking.
It
was beautiful here and everyone was nice to him. None of them had
been born in a puppy mill, like he had, or used for dog-bait
fighting, or left to die in a shelter because they were mix-breed
battle-scarred curs and weren't cute. They explained why they were
waiting...for their humans who loved them.
"What
is love?" he asked and God let him go back to earth and find
out.
Warm
and dark, he squeezed in with the others and waited for the day to
be born. Scared, he held back as long as he could, but finally got
dragged out by his hind feet. Hands without fur held him gently and
rubbed him dry and opened his mouth then guided him to a warm nipple
with milk. He didn't get a good hold on it, because one of his big
fat brothers pushed him aside. The human hand moved the other puppy
to another nipple and held his body, so he could drink.
"Ahhh,
that's better, " he thought, and drank until his jaws got tired
and he curled up to sleep next to his warm hairy mother. "I
remember this," he mused. "Too bad I'll have to grow up to
be hit, left out in the cold and rain, and used for dog-bait
fighting. I remember what it's like, being a dog," he thought
sadly.
That
night, he crawled up to his mother and tried to nurse but kept
getting pushed off to the side. When they were full, the big
brothers and sisters got their bottoms cleaned and he finally
latched onto a nipple, but the human hands weren't there to hold him
up, and there wasn't any milk in any of the nipples anyway. He was
weak and so tiny. It was even hard to stay upright. He fell over on
his back and couldn't right himself. So he began to cry...and
suddenly, the human hands were there, holding him up and putting a
rubber thing in his mouth. It didn't taste like mother, but it was
warm and made the ache in his tummy go away.
He
was having trouble breathing. His lungs weren't fully developed
because he had waited too long to join the others in the womb, as he
took one last romp at the Rainbow Bridge. He could feel the
heartbeat of the human, who had laid him on her chest and covered
him with a soft cloth, keeping him warm and soothing his boney body
with gentle circling touches. He kept thinking of his new friends
who had been so nice to him at the bridge and asked God if he could
go back.
God
said, "Yes, but not just yet. You wanted to experience
Love."
So
for several hours...it seemed like days, but it was dark and he
couldn't tell what time it was...the human supplemented his feeding
and let him experience the warmth of his mother's body and tongue,
and the pile of warm soft littermates. He got weaker and the human
held him more often, leaving the littermates to sleep in a pile
while he got caressed and kissed, and got to listen to the heartbeat
which was strong and loving.
Finally,
God came back and asked, "Are you ready to come back to the
Rainbow Bridge?"
"Yes,"
he responded, with a little sorrow, because the human didn't want to
let him go, and was crying.
He
pushed the air out of his lungs, floated back to the Rainbow Bridge
and looked back at the human, who was still crying and holding the
limp body that he had borrowed for his trip.
"Thank
you, God," he said. "Love is beautiful. I will wait near
the Bridge and let the human know, when she arrives, that I loved
her, too."
--Joy
LaCaille: Rainbow Bridge Return--
Rainbow
Bridge Returns Again…
After
playing in the fields of flowers with all the other dogs, Micro kept
looking back down at earth and saw many humans holding fragile
little new-borns, that were only to stay on earth for a few hours or
days, to learn about love.
He
asked God, "Must I wait for her? Now that I know what love is,
I want to share it with other humans...for there are many who are
down there, crying."
"Yes,"
God answered warmly. "You are learning about love, and I will
send you back where YOU are needed and wanted."
So
the little dog...who had once been born in a puppy-mill, only
knowing cruelty, abuse, being used as bait for dog-fighting, and
left to die at a rescue shelter...now knew the meaning of love and
was given another chance to give as well as receive.
This
time, he was born strong and quickly became everyone's
"pick"...because of his gentleness and outgoing
temperament. He gave EVERYONE puppy-breath kisses and bounded to
greet all the prospective puppy-buyers with his whole body-wagging
his tail. He was looking for the special human, who had taught him
the meaning of love, but she was not this breeder or any of the
buyers who came to look at the litter.
"Where
is my human?" the big, strong puppy asked God.
"Be
patient," God replied. "She has many other dogs right now,
and doesn't need you as much as someone else."
This
breeder could have gotten a lot of money for him; but instead, she
called the national service-dog group and told them of her special
puppy. Micro, who was now a big dog, spent his first year in a
special home, learning how to be a "service-dog" for the
handicapped. This family trained him to sit, down, stay, fetch, and
learn patience...oh, that was the hardest "trick" to
learn!
There
was a special little boy who could not walk or coordinate his
hand-movements. Micro, who had only weighed 5 ounces in his previous
life as a "fading puppy," was now over 50 pounds and
capable of pulling a wheelchair and picking up keys, pencils, etc,
and giving them to the trainer. Micro loved his trainer but the day
he met the little boy, he knew God was answering his prayers by
giving him a "micro" human who couldn't play like the
other children.
Micro
spent many years with the *handicapped* child, helping him grow and
learn that love comes in different forms...as a breeder who spends
the extra time and love with a fading puppy...as a trainer who must
give up his dog after many months of close bonding to the person who
could not have trained the dog themselves from puppy-hood...and as a
"handicapped" child or adult who once was alone and
helpless and often rejected by those who made fun of them, because
they could not run and play and fit-in with their games, but could
live independently, with the help of their canine-companion.
Micro
got old and a little stiff. He was having trouble pulling the
wheelchair and fetching things for his beloved companion. The
service-dog organization had trained another dog for Micro's human,
and it was time to "retire" Micro to a senior-foster-home,
where he learned another lesson of love...from a family that knew he
wouldn't live long, but deserved the special care of finishing out
his "golden years" with someone who could care for him as
he had cared for the human for so many years.
Micro
closed his eyes and dreamed of his friends at the Rainbow
Bridge...the ones who had rushed up to greet him the first time, and
wagged their tails and kissed him instead of attacking. Suddenly, he
was surrounded by his old friends, and he looked back at earth...at
the foster humans who were crying and holding the limp body that he
had borrowed for his trip.
"Don't
cry," Micro barked. "I'll be back. You may not recognize
the body I borrow, for it may be bigger or smaller...it may have
wrinkled skin or long silky hair or curly wirey hair, or no hair at
all. It may be beautiful and win championship titles, or it may be
"ugly" in the eyes of many. Look behind the eyes of trust
and you will find my unconditional love. Train me, and help me learn
how to be the loyal companion that you think you want, when you pick
up that cute little puppy that may grow up to be huge and loud and
destructive unless guided to be a GOOD dog."
--Joy
LaCaille: Rainbow Bridge Return Again--
I
awake.... But I do not remember falling asleep.
Just a moment ago, little Jenny threw the ball
And I chased it with all my puppy concentration;
Timing each bounce in the grass to catch it at just the right
moment.
Did I feel the front yard's grass turn to stone?
Did I hear a screaming sound? Perhaps I did. Perhaps I dreamed.
The
fresh tang of dewy grass teases my nose.
The warm sun warms me. I open my eyes.
Many new friends gather around me.
They show me what to eat, where to drink.
We play and sleep, near the Bridge of Many Colors.
This is wonderful...but it is not perfect.
I
awake.... Only a moment ago I fell asleep,
Deep asleep, lying in Jen's arms.
I remember the pain in her eyes, and the pain in my body, slowly
ebbing.
So many years I played at her feet, slept by her side, sat watching
at her windows.
Slowly I moved less, jumped less, ate less, saw less.
She loved me, carefully caressing me, making soft soothing sounds.
The
pain is gone; The blades of grass tickle my nose.
I open my eyes and find new friends gathered around me.
My legs are like springs. Butterflies play tag.
I am fed, and we play near the Many-Colored Bridge.
It is wonderful....but it is not perfect.
I
awake.... When I fell asleep moments ago, I thought all was
finished.
But now I see sunshine streaming throughout the leaves above.
All the pains and aches of my long life are dimmest memories.
I lift my hand before my eyes.
I see it clearly, soft and smooth, as it has not been in years.
I rise. My legs are strong again, my toes against the cool grass.
My ears hear birdsong. The freshness of dawn floods my senses.
I move easily, drawn to a Bridge nearby, arching gracefully into the
distance.
This is wonderful....but it is not perfect.
I
approach the Bridge, and turn to gaze into the fields nearby.
I see happy creatures, sitting, playing and sleeping.
But my eyes are drawn to two joyous beings,
Running at their fullest speed. They seem familiar.
Can they be the animals that I knew before?
They are! I kneel down.
They rush into my arms,
Wetting my face with joyous kisses and tears!
We stand. We move together
Across the Rainbow Bridge.
This
is wonderful. This is perfect.
--Author
Unknown--
The
time comes. A Siberian Husky lifts up its head.
There is an untested adventure beyond. Time to go.
Across
the Rainbow Bridge is a place for all dogs.
A river runs wide and shallow with tennis balls that fly with their
own wings;
That is the place for a Labrador or Golden to await its master's
arrival.
The
Siberian is not content here. Northward is its trail.
There
are soft pastures for Aussies and Border Collies, with sheep and
geese to pen.
Agility equipment grows like trees amid Frisbees and fly ball.
But
the North continues its sure wild call,
And the Siberian's journey continues.
Now
the air is colder. Now the moon is always full.
Now the light is silver and it breaks and shimmers on fields of
bright snow.
Now
there are no roads, no walls, no pens, just endless space to run.
This is where Siberians gather, North of the Rainbow Bridge.
They
wait in this beautiful place, happy, but not complete.
Suddenly, a howl begins, as one dog senses someone coming,
Someone very special.
All
the Siberians raise their heads and join in the ancient chorus.
They dance like moonbeams and sing like winter winds.
There
are red ones like dawn streaks, black ones splattered with many
colors
And silver ones like the first strange hour before light.
They line up as if in harness and run together,
In a scintillating, many-colored streak.
The
leader of the team guides the others past the fields
And river, with racing feet and racing heart.
They rush to greet the new arrival at the Rainbow Bridge
Where the leader is rejoined with its beloved person, never to be
parted again.
The
glory of the reunion is celebrated by all
The Siberians dwelling beyond the Bridge,
A glimmering, multicolored team leaping and whirling with joy.
The
light from that scene is what we see on magical evenings
In the northernmost parts of this Earth:
The Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights beyond the Rainbow Bridge.
--MakWa4me--
According
to Native American legend, when a human dies, there is a Bridge he
or she must cross in order to enter Heaven. At the head of this
Bridge waits every animal that the individual encountered during his
or her lifetime. Based upon what they know of this person, the
animals will decide which humans may cross the Bridge and which will
be turned away.
Rainbow
Bridge Sequel
Oh,
when we get to Heaven
We hope that we will find
The Souls that once we loved,
Who left us all behind.
Some left us at the right time,
They left this world in peace.
Others left too sudden,
Without the chance to say Goodbye.
They were gone before we had
The chance to even cry.
There's
a special place for grownups,
A special place for kids;
Me...I'll be on the other side,
The side called Rainbow Bridge.
Across the dark green meadow,
A top the hills I'll run,
Where the colors from the Rainbow,
Glitter from the sun.
And
there I'll find my sweetheart
Running fast toward me.
In my arms where she belongs
For all eternity.
--Jean
McColgan--
Unlike
most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as
a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals
were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they
had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who
had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly
what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the
Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.
It
wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung
heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals
on the pathway...the ones who had been at Rainbow Bridge for a
while...knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had
seen it happen far too many times.
Although
it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was totally
overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury
or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had
not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor
vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who
were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was
no resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he
could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came
closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an
Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully,
telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals
who were with their special people could pass over the Rainbow
Bridge. And he had no special beloved people...not here at the
Bridge nor on Earth below.
With
no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields
before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a
group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm.
Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals
weren't playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and
miserably staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The
recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he
took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.
One
of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his
special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and
asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it
to him.
"That
poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired
of him. They way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy
eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels.
He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love and
comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his
miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no
family or special person to give his love, he has nobody to escort
him across the Bridge."
The
first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked,
"So what will happen now?"
As
he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and
the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be
seen a single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite
ordinary...a person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left
Earth forever. This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals
and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever
heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and
golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as
they had been in the prime of life.
From
within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a
group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came
close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a
tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew
even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the
newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly
followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.
The
recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What
happened?"
"That
was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a
lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing
in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish
work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw
restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives,
they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are
allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth
across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to
them...just as they are special to all animals."
"I
think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.
"So
does God," was the reply.
--Author
Unknown--
Can
you imagine a heaven without pets?
There
is a very special place where beloved pets go after they die. This
is only a temporary location. But there are trees and grass and
lakes, and everything they love. Here they can play and eat and
sleep, even better than they did, before they died. Now, there are
no aches or worries or dangers of any kind to trouble or threaten
them. The only joy missing is their beloved human companion, you.
All
health is restored completely, and all injuries are healed. Dogs and
cats play with each other like youngsters, and they do not have time
to feel lonely for you. They miss you, and with the special wisdom
that animals have, they trust that this condition will get better.
And they confidently wait as they frolic.
A
wonderful day will come for each of them, when in the middle of
playing they will suddenly feel something is different. And all
their senses will be at the height of excitement and exuberance.
They will sniff the air and look off in the distance where they
recognize that dearly loved special presence. Then they will call
out in elation, and with eyes shining and tail going wild, tear off
at a full gallop, almost flying over the green grass.
Your
expected arrival has been sensed, and now there is nothing that can
keep the two of you apart, ever again. As you run toward each other
the tears flow from your eyes. Your pet leaps into your arms, and
you cling together in jubilant reunion. The joyous kisses are all
over your face, and you kiss back, just as ecstatically. Your hands
so lovingly caress once more the beloved fur, the head and neck and
body you knew so well. And you look into each other’s loving eyes,
and all those old, wonderful shared feelings are back, again.
And
then something will call the both of you on, to a different field of
warmth and nurture, where all the love you knew now comes to
fruition. With your pet, you leave that special waiting area, walk
into the main part of heaven, and begin a new existence there,
together.
If
you accept that pets can love us as much as we do them, then the
logic is clear and cannot be denied. If you believe that there is a
heaven for people, then they must be there, waiting for us, when we
cross over. Heaven is love, and pets always share that with us.
--Wallace
Sife, Ph. D. The Loss of a Pet (Revised Edition, 1998) Ch. 16--
According
to Norse Legend, the sacred Rainbow Bridge called Bifrost connects
Midgard (the realm of humankind) with Asgard (the realm of the
Gods). Also known as Asabru ("Bridge of Gods"), Bifrost
was magically constructed from fire, water and air...whose quivering
and changing hues it has retained. Not only do the Gods use this
Bridge to travel to and from the Earth, it also leads to the Urdar
Well, situated at the foot of the great ash Yggdrasil, where they
assemble daily in council.
Of
all the Gods onlyThor, God of Thunder, never passes over the Bridge
for fear it might be demolished by his heavy tread and lightning
bolts. The Watchman God Heimdall stands guard over over Bifrost
night and day. Armed with a trenchant sword, he carries a trumpet
called Giallar-horn, upon which he generally blows a soft note to
announce the coming or going of the Gods. However, Heimdell is
destined to sound a terrible trump at the dawn of Ragnarok...the
time the Frost Giants will unite with Surtr to destroy the world.
During Ragnarok...the end of the cosmos...it is said that Bifrost,
the Rainbow Bridge, will collapse and shatter beneath the weight of
the monsters
The
following poem is inspired by this Norse Legend
By
the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For
here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No
more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They
romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For
just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The
sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
--
Steve and Diane Bodofsky --
But
then, there are some at the Bridge who are different. These are the
animals who were beaten, starved, tortured and unloved. They watch
wistfully as their friends leave, one by one, to cross the Bridge
with their special person. For them, there is nobody special...no
special one. Their time on Earth did not give them that.
Yet
one day, as they run and play, they notice somebody standing by the
road to the Bridge. This person watches with longing the reunion of
friends, for during life, this person had no pet. This person was
beaten, starved, tortured and unloved.
Standing
there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches, curious as to why
this person is by themselves...and, as the unloved pet and the
unloved person come closer to each other, a miracle occurs, for
these are the ones who were meant to be together...the special
person and the beloved pet who never had the chance to meet while on
Earth. Finally now, at the edge of Rainbow Bridge, their souls meet,
the pain and sorrow disappears, and the two friends joyfully greet.
They cross the Rainbow Bridge together...never again to be
separated.
Habits
for Tabitha
How do I honour my time with you?
My words do not say enough
so I content myself in habits.
I weed your garden lovingly,
let the soil drink its fill,
plant purple cosmos in the earth
around the upholding statues of angels.
The ivy curls around your grave,
weaves deep into the dirt, concealing
the frail skeleton of a cat,
mummified in eaten lace.
On Tuesday evening, I make a warm blaze
in my living room fireplace, half in habit, half thinking
how you loved to stretch your body out
to the ends of the heavens there
and grace my night. But surely the space
you leave behind
is dust of the wings of angels.
On Thanksgiving Day, I cook a turkey,
save the choicest bits for you,
then half realize, you are no longer
there to celebrate the feast. I come home late
from philosophy parties, wine drunk, staggering
on the heavy dregs of past lovers,
stumble through the door
eager for solace
and there are no cat sounds to greet me.
Yet the soft cries of the wind those nights
and the heavy warmth upon my bed
are an animal to me, so familiar.
It’s habits that get us through;
habits leaving, habits forming;
the little nuns of the day come running,
heads down, wings to the wind
pushing through the hours,
on moon blown nights
are swept up to the stars.
And it is habit now, too,
that makes me pause hopefully
before pet store windows
searching for your eyes.
Genine Hanns
By
Genine Hanns
Her
ears prick
for
the sound of sorrow
and
under her skin
her
muscles ripple like fields of wheat,
from
a windy eastern land. Smooth pads
of
flesh patter as spring rain falls
as
she dances towards you with goddess grace
to
fill the empty spaces
all
around you with her feline joy.
She
settles softly upon your lap
lightly as a falling leaf
yet
sturdy, strong, enduring.
She
slides her cheekbone against your own,
spreading
her strong saliva smell
that
owns you. Her Bastet eyes
are
silently serene, composed
and
compassionate jewels
green
as the waters of the Nile
where
all her magic comes.
Later,
in your garden
as
you read your book of poems
among
the blazing hearts of roses
the
enchantress prowls
her
whiskers attuned like fine gold wires
for
white wings floating in the air
the
yellow hum of bumblebees
inventing
their clover
and
the reptilian rainbow light
of
dragonflies riding on wings of lace.
Her
ears attune for music
far
beyond your senses
and
you imagine she hears the Sirens
singing
to the music of the spheres.
Within
your earthly flesh, you cannot see
or
hear beyond your known daily world
so
she glimpses to you, the rays of light
from
the unknown realms of heaven
with
the Zen of Calicos,
her
green healing eyes
and
her knowledge of Elysium
that
only the angels can give.
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