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From: Noon Cat Nick on 16 Mar 2008 00:11
For years, the Rainbow Bridge story has been attributed to that most
prolific of authors, "Anonymous". One WWW source claims it's based "on
an old Norse legend." Possibly so; according to Norse mythology,
Bifrost, the sacred Rainbow Bridge, connects Midgard - the realm of
humans - with Asgard - the realm of the gods. Of course, many religions
have their own traditions regarding rainbows, Norse mythology being just
one of them.

Some years ago, three authors professed credit for the Rainbow Bridge
story. The earliest claim was from Oregon grief counselor Paul C. Dahm;
he asserts he composed the work - entitled "The Rainbow Bridge" - in
1981, copywrited it in 1994, and published it in 1998 in his book _The
Rainbow Bridge_.

Two other versions appeared in print earlier, however. William N.
Britton, co-founder (with his late wife) of Companion Golden Retriever
Rescue in Utah, had published in 1994 "The Legend of Rainbow Bridge" in
his book of the same name. And the year before, in 1993, Dr. Wallace
Sife, professional grief counselor and head of the Association for Pet
Loss and Bereavement, had his version, "All Pets Go to Heaven," in his
book _The Loss of a Pet_.

Here, then, are all three versions:

* * * * * * * * *

"The Rainbow Bridge"
by Paul C. Dahm

Far beyond the sky in another dimension lies a beautiful enchanted land.
It is the resting place for all the animals who have served man, many of
whom sacrificed their lives to save mankind. To enter this land, the
animals cross over the Rainbow Bridge. The Bridge was called so by the
angels for its profusion of rainbow-like colors which glow and fade in
welcome to the new arrivals.

It is a land of lush green meadows, flowing streams, and an endless
variety of trees. There are ponds scattered about for the new arrivals
to bathe and wash away all traces of their previous existence. They
emerge refreshed after their long journey across the Bridge.

There are myriads of flowers, many growing in vines which criss-cross
the branches in the trees. The air is fragrant with their sweet
perfumes. Bones and catnip rain intermittently from the air above.

In this magic land, all become young again. The old and infirm run about
as they did in their youth. The crippled and maimed are made whole
again. The days are spent cavorting across the many fields and enjoying
the company of the many varieties of animals here. Most happy, if this
can be so, are the dogs and otters who are even more playful here than
on earth.

There is but one note of sadness here. It is reflected in the eyes of
the animals who were pets of humans who loved them while on earth. If
one looks deeply into their eyes, this sadness is seen. They miss that
unique love, care, and devotion they received from their own special
companion. Many had received more love from their owners than their
owners had given to their fellow humans.

And then one day, one special, magic day, your own pet looks up. A
familiar sound has reached its ears. Its nose begins to twitch, its ears
go up, and its tail begins to wag uncontrollably. It stares, then begins
to run toward you.

He knows you have come for him. He takes one great leap and once again
is in your arms. Your face is kissed and kissed, and kissed again. You
look once more into the trusting, loving eyes of your beloved pet.
Together you walk across the Rainbow Bridge, never again to be separated.

* * * * * * * * *

"All Pets Go To Heaven"
by Wallace Sife, Ph.D.

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.

* * * * * * * * *

"The Legend of Rainbow Bridge"
by William N. Britton

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a pet dies that has been especially close to a person here on
earth, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are beautiful meadows and
grassy hills there for all our special friends so they can run and play
together. There is always plenty of their favorite food to eat, plenty
of fresh spring water for them to drink, every day is filled with
sunshine, so our little friends are warm and comfortable.

The pets who had been ill and old are restored to health and youth;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as
we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

The pets we loved are happy and content, except for one small thing;
each one misses someone very special to them who was 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.

With your beloved pet by your side, you will cross the Rainbow Bridge
together.

Your Sacred Circle is now complete again.
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