Crossing The Rainbow Bridge

To people who don't know me very well, I'm considered childless - and nothing could be further from the truth. My children just happen to all be four footed and adopted and I love them no less than any mother loves her human child.

While losing one is too heartbreaking to contemplate, letting one go intentionally is equivalent to turning off life support. No matter how correct it is, no matter how much suffering you're alleviating, no matter how justified it is, no matter how much pain you're easing, you never feel that it's right. Their eyes look at you with love and trust until they close for the final time. You do it because you must but something inside you gives way as they take their final breath. Then you gather them to you for the last time, feeling their warmth, holding their body as if you could bring them back, knowing that healing will be a long time coming, knowing that the guilt you feel is irrational and wishing that knowing could bring some solace.

I may sometimes question the concept of an afterlife for myself but I believe in Rainbow Bridge or I could never let them go.

This week a 13 year old beagle named Penny will close her eyes and wake up in Rainbow Bridge. She will be young and healthy again and in a wonderful place, free of pain, free of fences, able to run for miles and play as she did when she was a puppy. She'll be watched over, cared for, loved and kept safe. The women who have loved her for all her life will be holding her as she leaves and although she may not understand their tears, she will understand what they're feeling and want to comfort them. She knows what they may not - that she will see them again.

The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven & Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its 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.
The old and frail animals are young again. Those who
are maimed are made whole. They play together all day.
There is only one thing missing: They are not with
their special person who loved them on Earth.
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 you look once
more into the eyes of your trusting friend.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together,
never again to be separated.

For Linda, for Robin, for Penny.