by Linda Castillo
In the past year and a half, our family has loss our beloved pets. While it has been over a year since I said goodbye to my sweet Chloe and only just month since I lost Roxy; and now today my parent’s had to put asleep their doggy, Frosty. As I kissed Frosty goodbye for the last time, it brought back all my memories and I was so sad that our family was losing another beloved pet.
Our pets are with us for such short time but yet they fill us with so much unconditional love and devotion. Our first baby was Roxy, and then came Chloe and our family continued to grow with the birth of our two baby girls. I have so many memories and moments that included our fur babies. They became a part of our family as much as we became a part of their pack.
Our home feels different without the pitter-patter from their little feet and the jingling of their collars as they ran around the house. The other day I came across one of their chew toys under the bed and for a fleeting moment I thought our home still had our fur babies. There are many times during our day when my husband and I have those feelings, the sensation that our doggies are still at home with us.
My neighbor shared with me a special poem called the “Rainbow Bridge” that helped my still healing heart. I know that that when the day comes Roxy and Chloe will be there wiggling their little butts with excitement and greeting me lots of slobbery kisses.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to 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, 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 each 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. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run 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.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
– Author unknown
Poem Source: http://petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm
This post is dedicated to our beloved pets Chloe, Kimo, Roxy and Frosty who have all been a part of our family and they will be missed so much until we all meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.
Linda Castillo is the Founder and Executive Editor of www.ModernLatina.com. She writes on topics that empower and inspire Latinas including art, motherhood, green living, culture, travel, and issues transforming the Latino community. Linda has earned a B.S. in Business and a M.S. in Mass Communications from San Jose State University.