Far away, just this side of Heaven, there is a beautiful valley of lush green grass and fragrant flowers. The birds sing sweetly in the warm sunshine and the soft breezes gently rustle the leaves of the stately shade trees; and from this place, called Rainbow Valley, there is a Rainbow Bridge leading to Heaven.

When your beloved pet dies, he is taken to Rainbow Valley to join the others who have gone before him. If he is old and infirm, he is made young and strong again. If he is injured and hurts, he is made whole again. If his coat is matted and bedraggled, it is made clean and glossy again. There is good food and sweet, fresh water for all, and there are treats and toys and games to play. The pets are happy and content as they frolic together. But they each miss that special person that they had to leave behind.

Then, as time goes by, occasionally one of the pets will leave the rest, listening intently and gazing off into the distance. Suddenly, he begins to bark or meow rapturously, his body trembling with excitement. He has seen you, coming to join him at last. He runs to you and as you once again stroke and caress his beloved head and body, he rains wet kisses upon your face to mingle with your tears of joy. As you look into his trusting, loving eyes, you know that, although parted for so long, you have always been in each other's hearts.

Together, you stroll through Rainbow Valley and cross the Rainbow Bridge, secure in the knowledge that you will never be parted again, as you enter into Paradise.

* *Author Unknown* *