Saw this on a website and thought it was a lovely description

There is a belief amongst Navaho Indians that there is a bridge between this world and the next, which we all must cross, no matter what species we existed as here on Earth.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows, hills and streams for them to run and play in together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and all are warm and comfortable. All who had been ill or infirm are restored to health and vigour; those hurt or maimed are made whole again, just as we remember them in our dreams. They are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special who had to be left behind. But a time comes when one pet will suddenly stop playing and gaze intently into the distance, body quivering with anticipation. Suddenly he leaves the group and runs, his legs flying faster and faster over the grass, towards a distant figure.
He leaps into your arms, and happy kisses rain upon your face as you caress the velvet head. Once more you look into the loving eyes of your pet, long gone, but never forgotten. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be parted.
This is dedicated to all animals who needed to be found new homes, for whatever reason, and had happy and full lives with their new owners. We are always very upset when we hear of the loss of our old friends, but know that we played a small part in giving them the chance to live out their lives, surrounded by love and happiness. God bless them, and their grieving owners:

Thats me in tears
Helen Louise

Know EXACTLY what you mean Helen, I was bubbling too

really sad, but also reasuring

No matter how many times I hear/read that story it has me blubbing, most of the time I can't even bring myself to read/listen to it.
As I said to a friend of mine this week who had to very sadly let one of her dogs go to the bridge "The time to worry is when it doesn't get to you anymore".

Me too!

What a beautiful story.

It doesn't matter how many times I read Rainbow Bridge, I can guarantee it will always make me howl.
I have it pinned on the wall here in the bedroom with a couple of pics & rosettes of all my dawgies that have gone to the great kennel in the sky.
Rachael.x

really lovely description Mary

Megan

I lost my 20mth little girl millie just 5 days ago so I am a blubbering mess any way
along with the 2 other girls that spent most of their time with her but the story is realy sweet

Barbara I'm so sorry to hear that, why don't you start her own tribute post, it does help when you share and you'll find that many people on here will now what you're going through.

What a lovely image of the bridge i am now in tears, i hope my Kim is there.

I have read this a few times and always it has me sobbing, but in a good way. When Aunty Bren 'crossed over' or however you choose to describe it, I told the rainbow bridge story to the family, because they used to have a cocker called Max, who was a doll, and also completely untrainable, and a little oops. So Auntie B will be sooooo pleased to meet him at the bridge, and take him with her!!

I'm blubbing too, and yes I agree there are a few people I've heard comment "It's only a dog" well in my book that makes them less feeling than a dog, because our dogs know when we are distressed and comfort us.

Well said!

Has anyone ever seen this it always gets me going. mark-
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html