Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone on earth, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all 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 vigor. 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 miss someone very special to them; someone 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. Her bright eyes are intent. Her body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted. When you and your special dog meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. 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 the Rainbow Bridge together...
Author Unknown


Rev. Renee Windsor-White is a Certified Veterinary Chaplain who offers a weekly Pet Loss Support Group on the first four Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00pm at SafeHaven Humane Society, 32220 Old Hwy 34, Tangent, OR 97389. See more information on www.reneew2vetchaplain.com.

She is also available for 1-on-1 pet loss support counseling. Tel: 541-979-1952 (24/7) Click card for larger view.

Tobi, a 13-year-old lab/retriever mix, was a wonderful, low maintenance family dog, until his family relocated overseas and had to leave him behind. Tobi was quickly adopted thanks to SDRO's amazing network of supporters, and got to send a few weeks with his new family. Sadly though, his on this Earth wasn't to last much longer. His foster mom, our Foster Coordinator Jenny, wrote the tribute below to honor him:

A tribute to Tobi and all the Others
Sometimes we don't get there until the end, but it is all the same, making a difference for an old pup is always worth it. So it was with Tobi, a crippled, 13-year-old black lab mix with sweet, soft eyes and the typical gray beard. As we would gingerly walk through the forest he would raise his head and sniff the air, remembering times he used to trot with ease. We fosters sometimes end up giving these old pups their last "hoorah," being the forever homes, and helping them over the Rainbow Bridge in the end. We hold them in our arms and cry our tears as if they had always been with us. Goodbye, Tobi. Enjoy running with the others.