Our Rainbows
We brought our first family pup home in June 2006. His name was Bo’s Winning Hand, a purebred German Shepherd, that we had gotten from a family in Cleburne, Texas. We had gone out to look at some puppies and this beautiful sable pup caught our attention. I just knew he was meant to come home with us. He was such a ham! We dubbed Bo our “perimeter” dog, and he loved the outdoors running the fence-line. Bo loved playing with his rope toys, but one of his favorite toys was a construction cone that my husband had brought home from work. He literally wore it down to the base. Bo was the most loving and gentle dog, and the kids adored him. Sadly, in August 2016, we lost our beloved GS. After years of battling hip dysplasia, Bo developed an overnight illness, and we were unable to transport him to the vet in time. I was so thankful to be by his side when he crossed Rainbow Bridge. The paths he forged through our backyard will be forever imbedded in my mind. He was 10.5 years old and we all miss our Bo’s Winning Hand.
In Memory of Bo's Winning Hand 2006-2016
I Loved You Best
So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.
I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.
There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.
Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.
© Jim Willis
My mom had brought Mollie home in March of 1995 and she was a beauty! I gave her the nickname Molly Brown from the movie Titanic.
Mollie was Tanner's first dog and he was always playing in the backyard with her. Unfortunately, we lost Mollie in August 2007 to cancer - almost a year after losing my mom. She was 11 years old.
In Memory of Miss Mollie Brown 1995-2007
Rainbow Bridge
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 of 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 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 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.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author Unknown
Rainbow Bridge
Rescuer's
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as
a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had
no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.
But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly
what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and
tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while,
knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign
of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The
Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again.
As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals
watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could
cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The
Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized,
but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were
with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields
before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also
elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the
green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge.
And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just
witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as
you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes
clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love
of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he
had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what
will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds
suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen
a single person, and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly
bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as
they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see," said the second animal. A second group of animals from
those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At
each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind
the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed her
towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who
found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new
families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes.
When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of
rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't
place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
Author Unkown
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