Rainbow Bridge

Many of us who have lost a pet are comforted by the sentiment behind Rainbow Bridge, the peaceful place ‘this side of Heaven’ where pets wait to be reunited with their human friends. It is not known to whom this reassuring concept can be attributed, only that throughout the 80s and 90s the idea of a Rainbow Bridge was widely shared across the world. Scholars have noted a similarity to a central feature of 13th century Norse mythology, Bilfröst; a burning rainbow bridge that spans between our world (Midgard) and Asgard, the realm of the gods. Others have pointed out that the concept of a paradise where pets wait to be reunited with their humans can first be found in published literature in 1902, in the book ‘Beautiful Joe’s Paradise’ by the American author Margaret Marshall Saunders. Whilst waiting in this paradise, animals help each other and recover from any mistreatment they may have experienced on earth, before passing into Heaven in a hot air balloon.

Of course the origins of the Rainbow Bridge are less important than the comfort it brings. Knowing that a much-loved pet is in a better place, peacefully waiting to be reunited with his or her carer can help to fill a little of the void left behind after a pet’s passing.

Rainbow Bridge where they wait to be reunited x

Ralph Site Collection of Writings and Poetry

You might also like to know that The Ralph Site has collected together a selection of writings and poetry with the aim of bringing comfort and understanding to those who have lost a dear friend. All you have to do to receive your free copy is click HERE and enter your name and email address. We promise that we won’t pass your details on to anyone else.

There are other quotes and poems on the main website HERE.

And we leave you with a tender example of one such poem, beautifully describing the huge sense of loss that accompanies the passing of a pet, sadly the author is unknown:

You no longer greet me,
As I walk through the door.
You’re not there to make me smile,
To make me laugh anymore.
Life seems quiet without you;
You were far more than a pet.
You were a family member, a friend
. . . a loving soul I’ll never forget.
It will take time to heal –
For the silence to go away.
I still listen for you,
And miss you every day.
You were such a great companion,
Constant, loyal and true.
My heart will always wear,
The paw prints left by you.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team,

The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.