Rainbow Bridge

A man on his way to Heaven stopped just before a great, multi-coloured and iridescent bridge. The sunlight shone on it as it lead up to the very Gates of Heaven. Off to the side he could see miles of rolling green fields lined with brooks and trees. Playing and resting in those fields appeared to be many animals, mostly family pets, small and large, and of every type known. There appeared to be an abundance of food and water available for all of them; and the sun was always warm as they played and rested in the meadows. He also noticed, off to one side, in a small, separate meadow, a group of greyhounds. They looked content and in excellent condition, but they did not run and play like the rest of the animals.

Now, off in the distance he could see another traveller upon the road, making his way to the bridge. As this traveller crested a small rise in the road all the greyhounds lifted their heads and looked towards him, but then they put their chins back down on the grass. At that same time a dog playing in another part of the meadow let out a bark and ran towards the man walking on the path. The man, looking surprised, knelt down to greet the dog as it covered the man’s face with kisses and whimpers of joy. After a short time the man rose and continued down the path, over the bridge and through the Gates, the dog running and jumping beside him.

“Hello my friend, you are new on this path are you not?” The man turned to see a lovely woman sitting on the grass next to him. She appeared quite young, yet there was something in her eyes which spoke of great age and deep wisdom. “Come and sit next to me for awhile and feel the Sun." the woman said, "I will answer your questions before you continue on your journey”. The man sat next to her upon the grass and asked about all the animals in the meadows, and why they were there. She looked over at the meadows saying: “This place is called the Rainbow Bridge. When any animal dies that has been loved by someone, that pet comes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills here for all our special friends, so that they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm, safe and comfortable.”

She turned to look back at him then, a gentle smile on her lips, and continued: “All the animals who had been ill or old are restored to full health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made strong and whole again, as we like to remember them in our dreams of times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: each one of them misses someone very special, someone who they have left behind. “They run and play together, but then one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his ears prick up; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks out from the group and runs, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. They have spotted their “special someone” and when they meet they will greet each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happiness glows from their friend's face; those loving and trusting eyes, so long gone from their life, but never absent from their heart. Then the reunited pair cross Rainbow Bridge together.”

As she finished speaking, another traveller crested the small hill to the meadows. Instantly an “Ooooh” was heard amongst the playing animals and four of the greyhounds suddenly burst from their meadow, running with blinding speed towards the man. A large group of greyhounds that had been resting separate from all the other animals, also rose to their feet as the man crested the hill. Their heads all seemed to turn in unison to look at him as one and then, leaping like gazelles, broke into a full run toward him. The man, facing the four greyhounds that had originally run towards him, turned to see the rest flying his direction. Dropping to one knee he opened his arms and welcomed all them to him, laughing and almost falling backwards from their enthusiasm. Rising he then walked toward the Rainbow Bridge, awash in a dancing sea of greyhounds.

“I believe I understand “ said the man, “but what about that last person? I understand why those greyhounds came to him from the meadow, but what about all those that were laying separate from everyone else and never seemed to play like the rest. Why did they all run to him also?” The woman then let out a small melodious laugh, like the water of a small brook, or a light breeze across some wind chimes. “Well, that is a very special case. Those greyhounds that were resting over to the side lived their entire lives as racing greyhounds at a track. They never got to know what it was to play, or have a family, or a “special someone”. So when they come here they do not play like the other animals. They are happy and content, but they wait until a special person comes along who can show them the love that they missed in their former lives.”

“I don’t believe I understand” said the man, “I realize that he owned greyhounds, but that could not possibly be the only reason they all ran to him.”
“You're quite right,” she replied, “He was actually part of a greyhound rescue group. In life he demonstrated his love for them by helping their brothers and sisters. They know that now he is here, he will love them all, just as he loved all those who were in his care. Every time a rescuer approaches the Rainbow Bridge, all those ex-racing greyhounds who are waiting here, can now enter Heaven.”

The man smiled then, remembering the joy of all those greyhounds sprinting across the field and the joy and laughter of the man as they came up to him. He thanked the woman for the kindness she had shown him and set his feet upon the path over the Rainbow Bridge, feeling a twinge of sadness that in life he did not know the love that the last traveller had felt both in life, and beyond.