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 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 are 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 eager body quivers.

Suddenly he begins to break away 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....

Once in a while, the skies are grey at the rainbow bridge
And an old dog, tired and sick, can be seen approaching.
Those waiting at the bridge stand aside,
As they have been restored to youth and vigor
And this dog has not. They know what will happen next.

The sick old dog goes to a part of the lawn where
Several other sad dogs are also waiting and, slowly,
He lies down....for a long patient wait.

A young dog will ask another, "What is happening?
Why is that dog all tattered and sick and
Why is he looking so old, so sad?"
And a more experienced dog will reply,
"That dog had no home, no one to love and
So he has no one to wait for, here at the Bridge.
He cannot cross by himself.
Nobody cared for him when he was alive...
Only a rescuer who took him in until he died."

Oh, how sadly the forlorn pack of dogs lie in the shade.
They know they cannot cross the bridge...
They have no hope.

Many days pass by. The sick old dogs wait and wait
While healthy, young dogs--one after another--are
Embraced by their owners and cross the bridge together.

Then one day, a shaft of golden sunshine
Surrounds an approaching human.
The old dogs all get to their feet and he goes to them.
As he touches each dog, petting their heads lovingly,
One after the other...each dog is transformed!
Youthful and gay, their tails are up and wagging!
Now they surround the man and in a joyous group
They cross the rainbow bridge together.

The young dog asks the more experienced one,
"What happened? How did that human do that?"

The older dog responds, "He was a rescuer!
On earth he took in many dogs who were homeless,
He nursed them and found them new owners and,
To thank him for his work on earth,
God has granted him the pleasure of taking
All those he rescued with him...into Heaven."