The rainbow bridge is a theory that has received a lot of acceptance. When Patsy died, the vet clinic sent me a card about that she was at the rainbow bridge. This actually amazed me. When it comes to religion, I am always stunned at what is accepted across all faiths and what is taken exception to. I am not totally sure completely of what the rainbow bridge is. What the poem that goes with it says is that the dogs and cats go to the edge of heaven and they wait for us and then we all cross over together.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and 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; 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. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The 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.
RainbowBridge.org
In my experience, I have not found this belief to be accurate. Unlike humans, dogs and cats are available to talk to after death immediately, and like the human spirits I work with, the animal energy is one of two places: here, still on earth without their body or in a place of amazing bliss that for lack of a better word, I call heaven. However what happens when we die is also affected by our beliefs, and it seems that since animals are tied to their humans by purpose, love and also beliefs, that if their human REALLY believes in the Rainbow Bridge, they will it into being.
I do not condone this. If an animal is allowed to go onto heaven, they can come back, reincarnated in a new body. When a pet is in heaven (or whatever you want to call that incredible enthusiastic place) they can be with you at the speed of thought. Along with that, they are out of pain and incredibly happy
The few clients that I would say the “rainbow bridge” theory is consistent with what I actually found were people that BELIEVED in the Rainbow Bridge. That belief system created a reality in which their animal patiently sits at heaven’s gate awaiting their human master. This is much akin to your dog waiting at the door for you to go for a walk. That is fine for a few minutes, but do you really want to keep your pet waiting for years? Since they are waiting for you to enter HEAVEN you are keeping them from the amazing glory and energy that awaits them in heaven. You are also keeping them frozen in time, although you are still moving forward. They cannot reincarnate and come back to you. Yes, that can happen. I talk about that elsewhere in the book.
I had this discussion with a client named Ellen. Ellen worked at a pet store, and had lost a husband and a son to the other side. When her dogs passed, she savored the idea that they were all still together here on THIS SIDE, and that they would reach the entrance to heaven and cross TOGETHER. One of the reasons this was happening with Ellen is that she was in deep chronic grief. Our loved ones are always connected with us, no matter what the condition is of their physical bodies. However when we are in grief, we are less exposed to that connection. The guides compare it to being engulfed in a fog: the landmark you seek may be merely a short distance away, but when you are in a deep fog you literally cannot see your hand when held in front of your face. When the fog/grief lifts, the bonds reappear.
I had to convince Ellen that if she allowed her dogs to cross, they would be able to come back in new bodies and support her again. Until then, they would be in touch with the incredible dynamic love energy available in heaven, and thru them, she would experience it too. When Ellen granted me permission to send her dogs to heaven, she took the first steps to healing and being in present time. In present time is where all creation lies, and also love.
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Enjoy, Ann
When the grief is so DEEP and chronic, ‘how’ can one possibly get over it. I miss my babies sooooo much it’s unbearable. I honestly do not know what to do, and each day I suffer; emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Can you help me?
I feel it too. I lost my “Kitty” 2 days ago. She was with me 15 years. Never really sick except for a thyroid problem she was on meds for. I came home from work, she was waiting for me at the door as usual. I gave her wet food and said hi and pet her. I then went upstairs to get changed, grabbed a snack, and went to my computer. I heard an odd meow in the other room, but it was similar to the noise she makes from a dirty cat box. I knew it was different because it was, for lack of a better explanation, a single syllable meow. It’s normally 2 or three. I told her to be quiet from the other room “Baby shush” and I cleaned the box.
I then went to go find her, I walked in the bedroom, I turned right to turn on the light beside my bed and then right again into the bathroom to wash my hands. After I came out of the bathroom, she had a heart attack sitting in her favor place to the left of the door of my bedroom. Was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I was debilitated but ran to her and tried to wake her up. She was lifeless and it took me a few seconds to get the courage to pick her up. I finally picked her up, put her in the pet carrier and rushed her to the vet. She was not breathing and had no heartbeat. My baby was gone.
My cat was my companion. She was glued to me her whole life. She was always beside daddy and no one else. She spoke to me and looked at me like real love. I feel robbed. I feel like the universe is punishing me for something. I see no reason for this. She was a happy healthy cat with incredible amount of love to give. I love her so much I don’t know what I am going to do without her.
I wish I could help you. I see your post is from 2011. I don’t want to remind you of your pain and if you’ve moved on, I hope you don’t see this. But if you haven’t moved on – I wanted you to at least know you’re not alone in your grief for your special friend. I’ve just been crying it out as much as I need too. Nobody understand me. Everyone thinks it’s just a pet and I’ll get over it. She was my whole life. She was a miracle. She kept me happy through some of the darkest, loneliest times of my life. I hope she can see me and know that I loved her more than anything in life. I wish I had more time to have given her more love. If I knew it was coming I would have never left her side.