From the book, The Legend of Rainbow Bridge by William N. Britton

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When a pet dies who has been especially close to a person here on earth,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are beautiful meadows and grassy hills there
for all our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is always plenty of their favorite food to eat,
plenty of fresh spring water for them to drink, 
and every day is filled with sunshine so our little friends are warm and comfortable. 
All the pets that had been ill or old are now restored to health and youth.
Those that had been hurt or maimed are now whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The pets we loved are happy and content except for one small thing.
Each one misses someone very special who was left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes
when one of them suddenly stops and looks off into the distance hills.
It is as if they heard a whistle or were given a signal of some kind.
Their eyes are bright and intent. Their body begins to quiver.
All at once they break away from the group, flying like a deer over the grass,
their little legs carrying them faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you hug and cling to them in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
Happy kisses rain upon your face.
Your hands once again caress the beloved head.
You look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet so long gone from your life, 
but never absent from your heart. 
Then with your beloved pet by your side, you will cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Your Sacred Circle is now complete again.

 -- William N. Britton

The Legend of Rainbow Bridge by: William Britton

Reprinted with permission of the author.
Published 1994.
Copyright © William N. Britton.

The Legend of Rainbow Bridge - Click to buy book from Amazon.

Note - Throughout the internet there are actually several forms (or versions) of the poem above. Many of which are attributed to "anonymous". However, Mr. Britton is the actual author of the original poem (as shown above).

Photo Credit: St Arnaud Photography - all rights reserved.

CH Pelaqita Cha Cha
"Holly"

Color: Red Mackerel Tabby and White
Sire: Fleurelaine ESPY of Himirose
Dam: CH Pelaqita Tempest In A Teapot
DOB: 3-6-2013
Died: 4-5-2014
40 Grand Points as of 1/9/2014

Holly was one of three kittens born from Tempest and the last litter Tempest ever had. Holly was one of the most social cats I have ever seen and at times, I think, she acted more like a dog. She slept on our bed at night and during the day she would sleep on the chair in our living room with her buddy, Grady (an Italian Greyhound). Whenever I would get a migraine and have to go to bed for rest it was Holly and Grady who would keep me company during those dark days. On June 28, 2014, Holly became sick with some unknown neurological disorder. During the course of the next week, she would rebound a bit but would always relapse within a few hours. On July 5, 2014, the difficult decision had to be made to do what was in her best interests as once again she was comatose. My husband and I decided to let her go. Holly, you will always be on my mind and forever in my heart. Love you baby!

The necropsy results showed that Holly had somehow sustained a blow to her head and had a brain bleed.

Chessie

Chessie was a wonderful friend and she died on April 13, 2013. She was 15.5 years old and despite serious health problems for the past 5 years was always loving, alert, and engaged. In addition to a serious heart murmur which required medication, Chessie suffered from kidney problems which required hydration on a daily basis. She was always cooperative and compliant.

Calico Persian cat named Chessie

Chessie was a calico Persian with striking markings. Her right front leg was black and the left one was white. When we first met her she was being groomed by her father-cat and was extremely playful. We adopted her at age 12 weeks and she joined our family immediately. On the first day at her new home I had come down with a bad cold and decided to have Chessie rest with me. She was very attentive and stayed with me for 4-hours. I think this was our bonding experience because from that time on, she clearly favored me over any other person ( much to my wife's chagrin). She was very jealous whenever my wife and I would hug, and she typically would try to separate us by inserting herself between us. It was interesting that she had habits as a kitten which continued through her life (e.g., when drinking water she would immerse her face in the water giving her a very wet face; she had a unique stretch which we named the "double-stretch" meaning she would first extended her two front legs, then pivoted forward to stretch her back legs).

Chessie was extremely intelligent. She played hide and seek, chased a small Frisbee and would join us on the deck when we sat outside. She was very aware that she was required to stay on the deck and rarely tested this limit. She loved to join us for dinner and especially loved the Sunday morning newspaper. She loved bedtime and typically would be waiting for me to snuggle when I came to bed. She purred a lot and would stroke my face with her paw in response to me petting her. I have never seen a sweeter cat! She knew her name and would come when called (most times). She greeted us upon return home. She traveled with us from Illinois to New York and back on numerous occasions.

As you can tell, we really miss her and are thankful for the time we had with this most special friend.

Peter Tracy
Champaign, IL

Oreo

Black and White Persian cat named Oreo

Oreo (March 24, 1999 - May 27, 2009) was born to very well pedigreed parents and even related to the famous cat, Zorro, who won international cat contests. He loved to play peak-a-boo under a warm stack of towels just out of the dryer. This love came from when the breeder would dry him with a warm towel after a bath (spoiled little thing). Whenever I had cereal, he came running to lick milk off of my finger.

Oreo always had trouble breathing/snorting after we got him. But when we moved to Texas, it cleared up immediately. He must have had allergies in Cincinnati, Ohio. He did so much better in Texas and had more energy...Always gave us a smile.

The end came quickly, he had developed cancer all over his body.

Miss you and love you Oreo....always and forever....

Cindy and Lloyd M.
Texas