There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.  It's called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.  Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.  When an animal dies, it goes to this place.  There always is plenty of food and water, and gentle spring weather to make them warm and comfortable.  All the animals who had been ill are restored to health and vigor; those old and frail are young; and 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 abruptly stops and looks into the distance.  His bright eyes are intent, his eager body begins to quiver.  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.  The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Bridge together, never to be parted again...

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a bird dies that has been especially close to someone here, that companion goes to Rainbow Bridge. At Rainbow Bridge there are meadows and hills and beautiful trees of all kinds where all our special friends can fly and climb, hang and flap, hop and run, jump and play, squawk and squeal and sing together. There is plenty of good food, including grapes and peanuts, ice cream and cheese and spaghetti, and especially lots of pizza. There is crystal clear water in brooks, and springs are filled with water as well as every kind of delicious fresh fruit juice. One warm spring even runs full of the coffee they can now drink their fill of without hearing a single no-no. There is lots of glorious sunshine, and sweet warm rain when they want it, and our friends are warm and comfortable and totally at peace.

All the birds who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor and to their natural incredible beauty. Their feathers shine, their wings feathers are whole, and their eyes gleam once again with vitality. Those who were hurt or maimed or ignored or broken-hearted are made whole and strong and free of fear again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

The birds are happy and content..... except for one small thing -- they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind when the bird returned home. Still they all fly and play happily and safely and noisily together - even the grouchiest greys and orneriest senegals, the tiniest finches and the grandest macaws.

But the day comes for each bird when he suddenly stops and looks far into the distance. His body freezes and his bright eyes are intent as he watches and listens in silence. Suddenly he begins to fly from the group, soaring over the green grass, his wings flapping harder and harder!!!

You have been spotted, and he shrieks to you and then calls your name and his own and cries again and again and as he rushes toward you. When you and your bird finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, knowing you will never be parted again. Your face and your fingers - and even your toes - and covered with beak nibbles and soft ecstatic kisses. Your hair is preened by that special beak, and his head bends under your fingers to invite your touch. Your hands again find their way under beloved wings, to caress the downy softness beneath. You look once more into the trusting eyes of your companion -- so long gone from your physical life on earth, but never for an instant absent from your heart.

Your tears of joy are gently brushed away by those beloved wings... and feeling immersed once more in total contentment and love, you and your beloved companion cross Rainbow Bridge together......"

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.  It's called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.  Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.  When an animal dies, it goes to this place.  There always is plenty of food and water, and gentle spring weather to make them warm and comfortable.  Animals romp and play in the soft grass of the meadows, waiting for their special person to arrive so they might cross the Bridge together.

But some of them here by the Bridge are different.  They were beaten, starved, tortured and unloved.  They watch wistfully as their friends leave one-by-one to cross the Bridge with their special person.  But for them, there is no special one.  Their time on Earth did not give them one.  But one day, as they run and play, they notice someone standing by the road to the Bridge.  They see a person wistfully watching the reunions of friends.  You see, during life, this person had no pets -- this person, too, was unloved.  Standing there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches, curious as to why this person is alone.  And, as the unloved pet and the unloved person get nearer to each other, a miracle occurs … for these are the ones who were meant to be together ... the special person and the beloved pet who never had the chance to meet while on Earth.  Finally, now, at the edge of the Rainbow Bridge, they meet, their pain and sorrow disappear, and two friends come together.

Unlike most of the sun-filled days at Rainbow Bridge, this particular day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as any day could be imagined.  All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never ever 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 animal came into view, his head hung low, so very low, and his 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, far too often.  He approached slowly, very slowly, and was 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, that was not to be.  As he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who sadly apologized to him, and then told him that he would not be able to pass.  Only those animals who were with their people could pass over the Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn, the animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself … the elderly, the infirm, the sick… 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 waited.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the other animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.  "You see, that poor animal over there, with the others, they are rescues. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now … sadly, 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?"  "Watch, and see," said the second animal for he was about to receive his answer …

Suddenly, the clouds parted swiftly, and the gloom lifted with a mighty wind.  Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person bathed in a golden light.  Then a whole group of the sick and older animals also was bathed in the same golden light and restored to youth and health.

A group of animals broke away from those waiting for their families, came to the pathway and bowed their heads ever so low as the person neared closer.  As each bowed their head, the person offered them a pat or a scratch behind the ears.

Then, one by one, the newly restored animals fell into line behind the person and followed towards The Bridge… and they all crossed Rainbow Bridge together.

"What just happened?" asked the first animal.

"That was a Rescuer. The animals you saw bowing to the rescuer in respect were those who found new homes because of some rescuer’s work. They will all cross over The Bridge when their forever families arrive.  The others you saw restored were the ones who never found forever homes, who were too old or sick when they arrived in rescue, and died there.  But, when a Rescuer arrives, that person is allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort all those poor animals across The Rainbow Bridge to heaven.”

"I think I like Rescuer's," said the first animal. "So does God," was the reply from the second animal, "so does God…"

(Version Two)

      One day, a person who has given tirelessly and made it their life's work to save and succor abandoned animals and find them happy homes came to the Bridge.  First one animal stops and looks into the distance, then more and more look up and watch ... for this is a person all of the animals know about.  As they have waited for their loved ones, they have told the story of their rescue from loneliness, neglect and impending death, and the wonderful people who helped them until a special loved one could be found. 0’ Special Friend of the animals, you have been spotted.  All the dogs and other animal friends run over the fields to thank you -- the person who has enabled so many to have good lives and memories.  Then, they all walk to the gate of the Great Master's garden and say "This is a person whose name surely is entered on the roll once for each of us whose life was touched." Then, those friends who will be forever together, step forward and, to the sound of great rejoicing from all the animals, cross the Bridge together ...

            To live in love and peace forever...