Introduction: The Pain and Comfort of Losing a Pet

If you’ve ever been with a pet right up to the end, you know how much it hurts. For many of us, our cats and dogs are family. Saying goodbye can be just as painful as losing a relative. Studies have shown that a big portion of pet owners can feel deep grief for months after a loss. This kind of sadness is real and deserves to be acknowledged. That’s where the story of the Rainbow Bridge comes in — a gentle tale that has comforted countless people who have lost a furry friend.

Where the Rainbow Bridge Came From: A Young Woman’s Private Grief

Who really wrote it?

For years no one knew who wrote the Rainbow Bridge poem. Different people claimed the credit. It wasn’t until 2023 that art historian Paul Koudounaris finally tracked down the true author: Edna Clyne‑Rekhy, a Scottish painter and lifelong animal lover. She was in her early eighties when the world finally learned her name.

A poem born from heartache

Back in 1959, Edna was 19 when her Labrador retriever, Major, died in her arms. Her mother told her to write down how she felt, so she picked up a pen and poured out her feelings as if talking to her dog. She titled her poem “Rainbow Bridge” and kept the handwritten page. She shared a few typed copies with friends but never signed her name. Her husband suggested she publish it, but she thought it was too personal. For decades it was just a comforting poem passed from person to person.

How did it spread around the world?

The poem slowly made its way through friends and animal lovers until someone sent it to the American advice column “Dear Abby” in 1994. After it ran in the column, the Rainbow Bridge touched hearts nationwide. Readers were asked to help identify the author, but no one could. Over the years at least a dozen people claimed to have written it. Only recently did Paul Koudounaris connect the dots and confirm Edna’s authorship. She didn’t find out until decades later that her words had brought comfort to so many people.

What the Rainbow Bridge Means: A Gentle Image of Reunion

The world described in the poem

In Edna’s poem there’s a beautiful meadow just this side of heaven. Animals who were old or sick regain their health and spend their days playing together. They have plenty of food and sunshine. The only thing missing is their people. When a pet’s person dies, that animal suddenly stops playing, runs toward the horizon and leaps into its owner’s arms. They hug and cry happy tears, then walk together over the Rainbow Bridge into eternity.

Another popular rhyming version paints the same picture: a lush pasture full of treats and light where pets romp without worry. When they spot their humans, they run to them and cross the bridge side by side. It’s a sweet way of expressing how strong the bond is between people and their animals.

Why does it cross faiths and cultures?

Part of the Rainbow Bridge’s appeal is that it doesn’t belong to any single religion. It mentions heaven but never ties itself to a particular creed, so people of many beliefs find comfort in it. The rainbow bridge itself brings to mind myths like the Norse bridge Bifröst and fills a gap for those whose traditions say animals don’t have souls. Even for those who aren’t religious, the poem offers a simple message: the animals we love never leave our hearts.

Why the Rainbow Bridge Helps Us Heal

Losing a pet is often minimized by others. You might hear, “It was just an animal,” or “You can always get another one.” The Rainbow Bridge gives grief a shape and helps in several ways:

1. It offers hope of reunion

At the heart of grief is the fear of permanent loss. The Rainbow Bridge reassures us that goodbyes aren’t forever and that our pets are waiting somewhere safe. This hope can ease guilt and helplessness and bring a sense of peace. Paul Koudounaris has said that the story fills a missing piece for people who worry that their animals won’t have an afterlife.

2. It strengthens the bond

The poem shows animals restored to youth and health yet still longing for their people. It affirms that the bond between you and your pet doesn’t end with death, and that your love matters.

3. It encourages sharing and community support

Grief needs expression and witnesses. Pet photographer Terri Jankelow suggests talking about your pet, telling funny stories and sharing photos to feel less alone. Online forums and support groups have grown up around the Rainbow Bridge. For example, the website RainbowBridge.com lets you create memorial pages and holds candle‑lighting ceremonies every Monday night. These group rituals aren’t tied to any faith but allow people to mourn together.

4. It gives sorrow a ritual

Funerals and memorials help us say goodbye. The Rainbow Bridge itself is like a symbolic ceremony: imagining being reunited with your pet can bring closure. Many people engrave lines from the poem on sympathy cards or memorial stones. Lighting candles online or visiting a pet cemetery provides a clear way to honor your friend.

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Practical Ways to Heal

1. Let yourself grieve: Don’t bottle up your tears because others don’t understand. Losing a pet is a big deal, and you have every right to feel sad.
2. Take your time: There’s no timetable for grief. Don’t push yourself to “get over it.” Healing happens at its own pace.
3. Talk about it: Share stories and memories with people who understand. Hearing and telling stories keeps your pet’s spirit alive.
4. Keep mementos: Organize photos or make a memory box. Looking through them when you miss your pet can bring comfort.
5. Hold a ceremony: Say a few words at home, scatter ashes in a favorite park or plant a tree in your pet’s honor. Websites like Petloss.com host weekly online candle ceremonies you can join from anywhere.
6. Do good or adopt again: When you’re ready, volunteering at an animal shelter or adopting another pet can channel your love into new life. Helping another animal in need can be very healing.

Debates and Limitations

Conclusion: Let Love Continue