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November 6, 2005
Waiting
at the Rainbow Bridge
a column by Nelson Thibodeaux
I figure those who don't understand the stabbing
grief over losing a loving pet will not read this column
anyway, so this is for the rest of us who get it.
He peacefully left
this world Wednesday evening, but on Thursday night our
little Bear came back to my wife Jamie in a dream.
She said the experience was not like one of those dreams
you have but can't seem to remember, this one was
vivid. Bear was in a green field frolicking
through the clover. Bear always preferred the
comfort of carpet and central air, rather than the great
outdoors. But never the less, Bear was outside
having a great time, the pain from the cancer was gone. Bear
was always special, he always knew if Jamie was sick or
sad and, during those times, he never left her side,
even to eat, which he so dearly loved to do. Bear
in a field outside didn't make sense until Friday.
I had decided to research the Internet. I needed
to determine if I was simply a mental case or did other
allegedly educated adults experience deep grief over a
loss of their pet. I read religious articles about
different opinions on the concept of pets in an
afterlife.
Then I was drawn to a web site where I found a spiritual
answer that suddenly made some sense. Bear did not
come to Jamie in a dream in a familiar place like our
bedroom, but in a field of green. Say
what you will, but God stroked Bear's precious little
head and told him to speak to Jamie to help ease her
pain. God must have explained to Bear (and he
understood) that pets know only how to love and can not
sin. They will always be welcomed in God's
Kingdom. Now Bear, God must have said, go back and tell Jamie you will
wait for her in a green field where you are safe and
happy at Rainbow Bridge. Waiting
at Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called the
Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies, who has been
especially close to someone here, the pet goes to
Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all 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 or 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 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 to each other in joyous
reunion, never to be parted again. The happy
kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress that
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)
Bear Thibodeaux
March 15,1996- November 2, 2005
Bear's
Rainbow Bridge Memorial Page
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November 3, 2005
by Nelson Thibodeaux
Bear Thibodeaux
March 15,1996- November 2, 2005
I weep openly for the
purity of unrequited love and the loss of my best
friend.
Jamie held our precious Bear last night as the drug
was administered to give him eternal sleep. Maybe only a
pet lover can relate, but it was the hardest decision we
have ever made as a couple. Our precious friend
had suffered from a bout of what had been diagnosed as
pancretitis. He spent 10 days in intensive care in
Dallas and during that time he was found to have
cancer. We were able to get him home and spend
five days with our smallest baby. We had to let
him go last night at 10:45 pm. He was with his
human mom and dad. He had come to us that night as
if to ask us to help and tell us good bye. He
struggled to take one last walk around the backyard.
The follow words are not totally mine but adapted from a
site dedicated to grieving pet owners.
May excitement REIGN
SUPREME as our precious Bear shall feel our gentle touch
once again.
May he know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for his
faithfulness and gift of unconditional love as they are
forever remembered.
We are temporarily separated for only a short while.
The silver cord that connects us through time and space
can never be broken.
I will not look back for there is sorrow.
I will not look for today for there is longing.
I will look forward for there is OUR tomorrow.
I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain,
not because I did not love you, but because I loved you
too much to force you to stay.
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