Posted by Sylvia_FL on 7/28/07 9:16am
Msg #202455

Totally OT: Rainbow Bridge


Around 8am this morning, my beloved Nutmeg went to Rainbow Bridge.
Nutmeg was a beautiful mini red haired dachshund. We rescued her 8 years ago along with Ginger and Cinnamon. Cinnamon went to the Rainbow Bridge just a few weeks after she came to us. Both Nutmeg and Cinnamon had heart worms, the puppy mill where they were rescued from did not have their dogs on heartworm prevention. Nutmeg was a "senior citizen" when she came to live with us. They were only supposed to be with us temporarily until they were healthy enough to be adopted. But, we couldn't let them go, they stole their way into our hearts.
Last year when the vet checked them, he figured Nutmeg to be about 17 years old, and Ginger to be about 13. So, this would make Nutmeg 18 - that is a good age converted to human years. She had a tumor in her ear, but the vet said old age would get her before the tumor did.
She was a wonderful old girl, and she has left a hole in our lives. But I know she will be happy at Rainbow Bridge. R.I.P Nutmeg, I love you.

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....

Reply by lenelle/FL on 7/28/07 9:39am
Msg #202456

Sniff, Sniff, What a beautiful story

I am sitting here in tears. I love my dogs like my boys! They become a special part of our lives.

Reply by jean/pa on 7/28/07 9:58am
Msg #202459

so sorry to hear of your loss,I am familiar with the rainbow bridge Iwas a vet assistant a few years ago. I know how you must feel I have 5 dogs of my own.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/28/07 10:20am
Msg #202461

Thanks Lenelle and Jean
What makes it really hard is last week I lost someone who was like a brother to me, and he was just buried yesterday. I was unable to fly back to England for the funeral.
This is too much all at once.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 7/28/07 10:29am
Msg #202464

I wish I knew what that felt like. We had a german shephard when I was a young girl. We had "Wolfie" for years and he died when I was about 10. My father never wanted another dog after that and after all of those years, I do not have pets either. My kids have had hamsters but they don't last long around here, they get tired of them and we give them away.

Reply by Becca_FL on 7/28/07 12:30pm
Msg #202480

So sorry to here of your loss, Sylvia. Macy and I will be thinking of you, Bruce, Lil'bit and Ginger as you try to cope with the loss of your dear friend Nutmeg.

Reply by Mindy_WA on 7/28/07 1:21pm
Msg #202486

Re: OT: Rainbow Bridge..

Sylvia,
Sorry to hear of your loss. I too know what you are feeling. On July 5th our 3 year old Basset Hound, Nellie, went to the Rainbow Bridge. It was all very sudden, and we didn't even have time to get her to the vet. We didn't even know she was sick. The kids took it hard, and our other Basset, Boomer, was a MESS. He didn't eat for 4 days. The kids would hand feed him anything they could get him to eat. A Basset hound that won't EAT??? (he musta' been sad)

We are getting better after almost a month, but it's strange without her.

I was on the "basset rescue" website the other day,(to let them know what happened to Nellie, as that is how we got her) and they have a page on there "In Memory". I saw that most people referred to the 'rainbow bridge' when writing about their beloved pets and how much they were missed. I had never heard of it. Thank you for posting it here. That's what I figured it was, but am glad to really know. A rescued pet always knows how much they are loved. They know the feeling of neglect.

Hope You and Your family make it through this tough time, knowing we are all thinking of you.

Mindy

Reply by jba/fl on 7/28/07 1:35pm
Msg #202488

Re: OT: Rainbow Bridge..

Slyvia, that is beautiful story that I've not heard before. It is a comforting one to be sure.
I am so sorry for your losses of trusted friend and companion and also of dear friend who's funeral you could not attend. I know these pains firsthand, and the process of healing is made easier by remembering all the good times, talking of them too with others, and sometimes just thinking out loud to let them know how much they are missed and adored. Godspeed.

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 7/28/07 2:39pm
Msg #202505

Your beloved Nutmeg has good company with my pets

I've lost several beloved pets over the years, and it hurts so much every time. They are gone out of sight but never forgotten. Our pets that we lost after our move to TN onto 7 acres of secondary-grown pine forest are all buried up on the rise - Raven, Squash, Loki. BTW, my husband was an embalmer and funeral director for several years, and he prepared each of them for burial. We laid each to rest in a carefully dug grave next to the others, and he made sure they were buried with their heads oriented east, toward the sunrise. I had some stepping stones - they say PEACE, LISTEN, and SILENCE - which we laid on their graves.
Consider yourself hugged, Sylvia. I believe indeed that our pets will all be waiting for us, and we will be together again - no dog or cat fights or petly jealousies, just harmony and love.

Reply by VBNotaryVA on 7/28/07 3:51pm
Msg #202513

So sorry for your loss. As the owner of 4 doxys, 2 months to 8 years, I know how you feel. They are wonderful dogs, that's why I've owned 10 to date. My oldest made it to 15 so you did well going to 18. I have the Rainbow Bridge posted on my board above my desk, to see it everyday. At least Nutmeg had a loving owner to give her a good long life. My heartfelt condolences.