Author unknown
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows,
hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water, and warm Spring weather.
Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
But there is only one thing missing.
They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.
So, each day they run and play until the day comes
when one suddenly stops playing and looks up.
The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring,
and this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him or her in your arms and embrace.
Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look oncemore
into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to beseparated.
Another version
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someonehere,
they go 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 arewarm and comfortable.
All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to healthand 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 leftbehind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when onesuddenly stops
and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group,
flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster andfaster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friendfinally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress thebeloved 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
This one I found in the catalogof the 53rd National Specialty 1988, the Author is unknown,provided
by Gary & Jonni Gonzales, Summerwind Kennels
If the dog be well remembered,
If sometimes he leaps through your dreams, actual as life,
Eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging...
It matters not at all where that dog sleeps, at long last and atleast.
On a hill where the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are roaring,
Or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood,
Or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land,
Where most exhilarating cattle graze,
It is all one to the dog, and one to you,
And nothing is gained and nothing is lost...if memory lives.
But there is one place to bury a dog,
One place that is best of all.
If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you mustalready have,
He will come to you when you call....
Come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death,
And down the well-remembered path,
And to your side again.
And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not
Growl at him nor resent his coming,
For he is yours and he belongs there.
People may scoff at you,
Who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall,
Who hear no whimper pitched too fine for mere audition,
People who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them then,
For you shall know something that is hidden from them,
And which is well worth the knowing....
The one best place to bury a dog is in the heart of its master.