The Rainbow Bridge: What’s the Meaning Behind This Poem?
By Angeline Simmons, December 20, 2024
Anyone who has lost a pet is likely familiar with the moving Rainbow Bridge poem (full text is below). Your veterinarian may share it with you when your pet passes, or you might receive a sympathy card that includes it. But not everyone knows the meaning behind it.
What Is the Rainbow Bridge?
The Rainbow Bridge is where many people believe they’ll eventually be reunited with the pets they lost during their lifetimes. It’s a non-religious way of explaining that a dog, cat or other pet has gone to the afterlife and that we’ll meet them there someday.
What Does Crossing the Rainbow Bridge Mean?
When a pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, it means they’ve passed away. If you find it too difficult to say your pet has died, you may prefer to say the animal has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
History of the Rainbow Bridge Poem
The Rainbow Bridge poem was written by Edna Clyne-Rekhy, a Scottish artist. She penned the poem in 1959 at 19 years old. When her labrador passed away, she was inconsolable, she told National Geographic. After her mother urged her to write down her feelings, she wrote the poem, but initially didn’t share it with others.
Several years later, Clyne-Rekhy typed out a few copies of the poem and shared them with friends, who passed them out to others, as word continued to spread. In 1994, Dear Abby printed a copy of it and it became known as the standard words of support that people shared when pets passed away.
Is the Rainbow Bridge Real?
Yes, there are several real Rainbow Bridges where you can honor your pet. One of the most visited and famous is at the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in North Carolina. It was developed in 2022 and quickly became very popular, requiring an expansion in 2023. People report that they’ve driven all night to get to the bridge, where many mourners hang their pets’ collars or inscribed charms to honor the loved ones they lost.
Other Rainbow Bridges are located throughout the world, such as those listed below.
The Humane Society of West Michigan has a Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial in Grand Rapids, MI.
At the John Toro Sports Complex in Torrington, Connecticut, guests can visit the Rainbow Bridge and share memories and beloved items from their pets.
The town of Unity Village, Missouri, has a Rainbow Bridge Memorial where you can spread your pet’s ashes or leave behind a cherished item.
The West Fife Woodland Group in Comrie, Scotland unveiled a Rainbow Bridge memorial where visitors can lay flowers, spread pet ashes or leave an item in memory.
A Rainbow Bridge in North Queensland, Australia, welcomes visitors who want to leave behind a tag or collar honoring their pet.
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day occurs every year on August 28th. While everyone honors their lost pet differently, some people choose to dedicate Aug. 28th to their lost dogs, cats or other pets by:
Sharing photos of their pet with loved ones or on social media
Talking about memories of their pet with people who knew them
Buying a pet memory stone, pet memorial jewelry or other remembrance item
Getting a pet memorial tattoo
Writing a letter or poem dedicated to their pet
Donating to a local animal shelter in the pet’s memory
Taking a walk at the pet’s favorite location
Creating artwork depicting the lost pet
Whatever you choose to do on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is up to you. And if not enough time has passed where you feel comfortable dedicating a day to your pet, that’s OK too. Grieving takes time, and if redirecting your thoughts to non-pet distractions helps, then you should do that.
Rainbow Bridge Poem
Several versions of the Rainbow Bridge Poem exist, but below is the most commonly shared edition.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your 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 friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and strength, those who were hurt are made better and strong again, like we remember them before they go to heaven.
They 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 shining, his body shakes.
Suddenly he begins to run from the herd, rushing over the grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again.
You and your pet are in tears. Your hands again cuddle his head and you look again into his trusting eyes, so long gone from life, but never absent from your heart, and then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Rainbow Bridge Quotes
Some people choose to reprint quotes from the Rainbow Bridge poem onto pet memorial gifts, such as rocks, jewelry or boxes that hold cremation ashes.
Among the more popular Rainbow Bridge quotes are:
“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.”
“When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.”
“When you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again … Then, you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.”
