Poems to uplift and inspire you after a pet dies


The 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 vigour; 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

A Man and his Dog
A man and his dog were walking along a road.

The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him
that he was dead.
He remembered dying and that his dog had been dead for years.
He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of
the road.  It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken
by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch
that looked like mother of pearl  and the street that led to the gate
looked like pure gold.  

He and the dog walked toward the gate and as they got closer, they
saw a man at a desk to one side. When they were close enough, 
he called out, "Excuse me,  where are we?"  

"This is heaven, sir," the man answered. 
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the traveller asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, I'll have some ice water sent right up."
The man gestured and the gate began to open. 

"Can my friend," gesturing toward the dog, "come in too?" the traveller asked. 
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets." 

The man thought for a moment, and then, turning back towards the road,
continued the way they had been going.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, they came to
a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.

There was no fence. As they approached the gate, he saw a man inside,
leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. Do you have any water?".
 "Yeah,  sure,  there's a pump over there". The man pointed to a place that
couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."   

"How about my friend here?". The traveller said, gesturing to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump" said the man.

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an
old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveller filled the bowl and took a long drink, then gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man
who was standing by the tree waiting for them.  
"What do you call this place?" the traveller asked.
"This is heaven," was the answer."

"Well, that's confusing," the traveller said. "The man down the
road said that was heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and the pearly gates?
Nope, that's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"Nope, I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy
that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind." 

Author unknown        

                                                                                                           

Do dogs go to heaven?
My little bully passed away, no more to breathe a sound.
I held him for the last time, then entombed him in the ground.
Day and night I wept so much, in tears I thought I'd drown.
I searched my soul for comfort, but no peace therein was found.

In great despair, I hit my knees and then began to pray.
"Father will I ever see, my dog again someday?"
I raised my eyes and saw an angel standing near a gate.
I sensed an inner peace I'd never felt before that day.

The angel smiled and said to me, "Oh man of little faith!
God sees every bird that falls; He knows your bully's fate.
I have met your little dog, I saw him pass my way.
Your precious dog is still alive; he just walked through this gate.

Paradise is lovelier than you can comprehend.
No pain or grief, no tears or fears, and life will have no end.
God gave to man His only Son, to cover all his sins.
So why would God withhold from you, your pure and loving friend?”

The angel took me by the hand and said, "Now come with me.
A glimpse of paradise I'll give, to you so you can see."
Through the gate and o'er the Rainbow Bridge we did proceed.
Through green valleys filled with flowers, rolling hills and trees.

“Wow, so this is paradise!” The place was filled with joy.
I saw my bully playing there, with dogs and cats and toys.
He also had some doggie treats, and food that he enjoyed.
He'd made a lot of new friends there, including girls and boys.

Then I saw a child come near, and hug my little mate.
She said to him, "I love you so," and kissed him on the face.
The angel said, "The child just crossed the Rainbow Bridge today.
Now she needs a little friend, to love and help her play.

God’s love for her would be enough, in that make no mistake.
But in His love, He knew full well, the child would want a mate.
This is why God called your dog unto this splendid place.
God’s entrusted her with him, ‘til you pass through the gate."

I pleaded, “May I hug them both?!” The angel answered, “No!
You’d violate a sacred site, and now it’s time to go.”
He led me back across the Bridge and through the gate to home.
He left me there with new-found hope and peace within my soul.

If someone ever asks what happens to a dog that dies,
Just give a gentle smile of joy and look them in the eye.
Take their hand and comfort them and tell them not to cry.
For dogs don’t die, they simply cross a bridge to paradise.

Dan Atcheson 

 

The Rainbow Connection (song) as sung by Kermit in The Muppet Movie

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Written by Paul Williams

(This one is very special to me as we had it at my sisters funeral along with the Rainbow Bridge as she was an animal lover and we were both fans of this song as kids...Kim, petsonthenet.co.nz)


We welcome your original poems or prayers for publication here. Please send your contribution to team@petsonthenet.co.nz stating the source and author where known. Thank you.

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