RAINBOW BRIDGE

Today and from time to time over the years "Dear Abby" has shared the following thesis. 

"There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.  It is 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 a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing: They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly looks up! The nose twitches. The ears are up. The eyes are staring. And this one suddenly runs from the group.

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated."  

When I read this I looked back down through the years and remembered:

• Rin and Tin, a pair of German Shepherds, who my second grade country school teacher absolutely could not keep out of my classroom. 

• Tip, the mongrel who could climb trees.

• Spec, the speckled pup that everyone is as pretty as and who helped with college expenses by fathering a whole bunch of purebred Cocker Spaniels.

• Red, my first Irish Setter.

• Tramp, who was a real lady.

• Lady, who was a tramp.

• Little Bits, the pointer who was afraid of guns.

• Holly, who was a pretty good co-pilot.

• Duchess, who only wanted to share our lives.

• Misty, with three dogs worth of energy.

• And Bear, a Husky, who was simply a friend.