I mentioned in my most recent Monthly Inspiration post that I like to give credit where credit is due so when I came across this article identifying the author of the Rainbow Bridge poem, that I have shared on my blog several times over the past few years, I knew I needed to share this as well.
I do hope you take the time to read the above, well written article/interview but for those who don’t I will tell you that the poem was originally written in 1959 by 19-year-old Edna Clyne of Inverness, Scotland, the day after her Labrador Retriever, Major, died.
I also wanted to share with you this paragraph where Edna, now in her 80’s, answers the question ‘what advice she would give to those grieving the loss of a pet’. “nothing took her aback as when I asked if she has any advice to share for people suffering from the loss of a pet—because she, is after all, the world’s greatest expert on animal mourning. She asked if I really thought that was true, to which I could only respond, “Well you wrote the Rainbow Bridge, didn’t you?” Her response was then immediate—get another pet. We discussed it, how the relationship with a new pet will never be the same as the relationship with the old one, but it can be equally special and loving in different ways. There’s no reason to deny yourself or another animal that love, your previous pet certainly wouldn’t have wanted you to live without it.” I wholeheartedly agree with Edna’s advice. It has certainly helped us 🙂
Thanks for visiting.
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I’ve always loved that poem! How nice to read the story behind it.
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So glad you visited. 🙂
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Lovely, Ruth.
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Thanks, Mitzy and Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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What a cool article. Inspiring to see how something she did for her own comfort has blessed so many. We really never know what the little things we do might mean to someone else. Thanks for finding this.
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So true. I was happy I found it and to share.
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What an interesting article. One to share with friends who recently lost their beloved pet. Thank you for sharing.
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I’m glad I came across it Nancy. When I posted the poem in the past I have wondered if the author knew how many people it had comforted. Please do share with your friends. Losing a pet can be heartbreaking and we have found comfort several times in that poem.
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This was very interesting Ruth. I did read the article you provided the link to. In fact, my mom used to read the newspaper daily and cut me out little stories of interest she read and I know she often cut out columns by Dear Abby, so I likely saw that column with The Rainbow Bridge when it was first published in the newspaper column. That’s amazing how these wonderful words began, a tribute to Major. I would be angry if people tried to alter the original words too. I also received cards with The Rainbow Bridge when I picked up Sugar and Buddy’s ashes from the vet’s office.
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I’m glad you read the article, Linda. I think it’s worth the time. I think it’s amazing that she still has the original. I know when I’ve posted that poem on my blog I’ve wondered if the author knew how many people it had comforted. I’m glad she does.
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I’m glad I read the article too Ruth and I’m happy she knows how much her writing means to so many. I think it is a meaningful and beautiful way to honor a pet’s life with that little glimmer of hope that one day you will see all your beloved pets, vibrant and out of pain, running toward you. What positivity she gives to us at a time when we need a boost to get past our immediate grief.
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