RAINBOW BRIDGE


Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a bird dies that has been especially close to someone here, 
that bird goes to the Rainbow Bridge.

At the Rainbow Bridge there are meadows and hills and beautiful 
trees of all kinds where all our special friends can fly and 
climb, hang and flap, hop and run, jump and play, squawk and 
squeal and sing together.

There is plenty of good food, including grapes and peanuts, ice 
cream and cheese, spaghetti and especially lots of pizza. 
There is crystal clear water in brooks and springs are filled 
with water as well as every kind of delicious fresh fruit juice. 

One warm spring even runs full of the coffee they can now drink 
their fill of without hearing a single no-no. 
There is lots of glorious sunshine, and sweet warm rain when 
they want it and our friends are warm and comfortable and 
totally at peace.

All the birds who had been ill or old are restored to health and 
vigor and to their natural incredible beauty. Their feathers 
shine, their wing feathers are whole, and their eyes
gleam once again with vitality. 

Those who were hurt or maimed or ignored or broken-hearted are 
made whole and strong and free of fear again, just as we 
remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

The birds are happy and content..... except for one
small thing - they each miss someone very special to them who 
had to be left behind when the bird returned home.  Still they 
all fly and play happily and safely and noisily together - even 
the grouchiest greys and orneriest senegals, the tiniest finches 
and the grandest macaws. 

But the day comes for each bird when he suddenly stops and looks 
far into the distance. His body freezes and his bright eyes are 
intent as he watches and listens in silence. 
Suddenly he begins to fly from the group, soaring over the 
green grass, his wings flapping harder and harder! 

You have been spotted - and he shrieks to you and then calls 
your name and his own and cries again and again and as 
he rushes toward you. 

When you and your bird finally meet, you cling to each other in 
joyous reunion, knowing you will never be parted again. 

Your face and your fingers - and even your toes - are covered 
with beak nibbles and soft ecstatic kisses. 
Your hair is preened by that special beak, and his head bends
under your fingers to invite your touch. Your hands again find 
their way under beloved wings, to caress the downy softness 
beneath. 

You look once more into the trusting eyes of your companion - so 
long gone from your physical life on earth, 
but never for an instant absent from your heart.

Your tears of joy are gently brushed away by those beloved 
wings... and feeling immersed once more in total contentment 
and love, you and your beloved companion 
cross the Rainbow Bridge together.