The Rainbow Bridge is a bridge that consists of many colors. Over it animals go their last way when they close their eyes forever. At the end of this rainbow is a land of lush green meadows, smooth hills and lots of sunshine. Domestic animals always have food to eat here and there is permanent, beautiful spring weather. Also, it is said that old or sick animals can get well here and spend a nice time with the other animals.
This is the Rainbow Bridge
Many different versions and stories exist around the Rainbow Bridge. These are either in a novel or poem form. However, the content of these many different versions is always the same. Namely, it is about the soul of a dead animal arriving at a place called Rainbow Bridge after dying. There is food and water without end and also the weather is always nice without being too hot. There are also many other animals there to play with.
Also old or sick animals get completely healthy again at this place. Even injuries or severed limbs will heal here. In this place, the animals remain until their own keepers die. People then come to their animals after their own deaths, so that they can cross this bridge together. It is said that animals and humans are reunited at the Rainbow Bridge after a long time, but they were never spiritually separated.
The legend about the Rainbow Bridge
According to the legend, a rainbow bridge begins in the sky here and now. It shines in all colors. The beloved pet enters this territory after its death and arrives at a beautiful place – the paradise for pets. There the pet will find everything it needs as well as the optimal environment, be it meadows, valleys, fields or forests. Here they can frolic carefree with all the other animals. There is plenty of sunshine and food for all. This is where man’s best friends feel safe. All the animals that left the earth sick or maimed become healthy and strong again here.
Just the way people remember the best days with their friends. There is only one little thing that the animals miss – their beloved humans, whom they had to leave behind on Earth. The legend says that all the animals are playing together, until suddenly one of them just stops and pauses. Its gaze goes into the distance. The animal’s body begins to shake violently and its eyes also become shiny. Suddenly the animal takes off and floats over the grasses to its long-lost human, whom it then meets again. Man and animal are then reunited and nothing and no one can separate the two again. Together they then go over the so-called Rainbow Bridge.
History / Origin of the Rainbow Bridge
The fuss about the Rainbow Bridge arose some time ago. Some sources indicate that the origin is in 1980 in the United States. However, since then, several people have proclaimed themselves as the author of this story. However, authors such as William N. Britton, Paul C. Dahm or Wallae Sife are considered to be the originators of these poems or novels. In German, the version of Norbert van Tiggelen is known.
However in February 2023 the actual author of the rainbow bridge could be made out. This was reported by the magazine „National Geographic“. According to it the history was written down by a Scottish woman with the name Edna Clyne-Rekhy in the year 1959, when this was 19 years old. The occasion was the death of her beloved dog, a Labrador retriever. The Scotswoman was discovered when an art historian named Paul Koudounaris set out to track down the author. Paul Koudounaris has long been involved in cultural anthropological stories. He also published some manuscripts and photographs that clearly prove that the Scotswoman had put this story on paper.
Scot kept her story to herself for a long time. Many of her peers had tried to encourage her to publish this story. However, she vehemently refused to do so. She merely distributed a few copies to her friends. The story of the Rainbow Bridge spread so widely in the United States in the 1990s that the story suddenly became a legend. Hundreds of millions of readers enjoyed this beautifully written text. However, no one knew the author. Therefore, it was not surprising that many pet morticians or various grief counselors put themselves in the light as the originators of this story.
What makes the Rainbow Bridge so popular?
For many years, people pondered how the concept of a rainbow bridge became so successful. A meaningful rationale may have originated in the Christian tradition. In this theology, animals do not have souls and therefore cannot go to heaven. This could explain why these animals continue to exist in the afterlife at the Rainbow Bridge. In the United States, which is particularly Christian, many people believe this.
Other assertions again refer to a Nordic mythology. Here the rainbow bridge is also called „Bifröst“. It is said to connect nine worlds. Another derivation could also come from the Bible and refer to the ark and Noah. According to this story, the rainbow could then mean the end of the Flood and all the animals could then leave the Ark.
Paul Koudounaris had interviewed the author himself. She states that she did not grow up very spiritually. When her dog died, it was not her first experience with death. She had already lost her father four years earlier. She first felt anger at that time and then later realized that one actually has a good position on earth while alive. And she was overcome by this very feeling again when she wrote this famous story about pets. At least once it can be stated that the thought of the deceased, beloved animal staying in a well-protected place until you see it again is a very comforting idea for pet owners.