The Rainbow Bridge
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...
| WYNONA (Dalmatian) April 2007 Wynona the dancing Dalmatian owned & loved by Mary Ann & Tom Coutley the first dancing dog who was instrumental for bringing freestyle to Wisconsin. |
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| Bingo (Border Collie) April 1, 2000 – February 18, 2008 Bingo was truly inspirational to me! No matter what life threw at him, he handled it with a dopey smile and a wag of his tail. He truly is how I want to be! Three years ago, I lost my Border Collie, Levi, to epilepsy. That was a difficult fight...we never got good control over his epilepsy. When he went to the Bridge, I decided I wanted another Border Collie. I searched the rescues, applied, was approved, and the wait began. Every dog I was interested in had a waiting list...great for them, bad for me. One day I received a call from one of the rescues. She told me there was a 4-year-old male Border Collie down in Missouri at Animal Control. They didn't have a foster home for him, and he was in danger of being euthanized if he wasn't moved. I adopted him sight unseen...He had a rough start in life, and I vowed to do everything I could to make him happy...he was a great dog and deserved it. We tried agility. Border Collies are supposed to be good agility dogs...NOT! Not "Bing", he was the clumsiest Border Collie I've ever met. Flyball? NOPE! No ball interest. Herding? Sheep? SHEEP! This was truly Bingo's calling. It was beautiful to watch! I took him to a herding instinct test and boy did the instinct kick in!! We started taking lessons! In January of 2007, I noticed Bingo limping. Occasionally. Then more frequently. When I had the vet check, after numerous referrals to other specialists, it turned out to be a neural sheath tumor. After much agonizing over it, I decided to have the leg amputated. I knew we could deal with it, and the prognosis was good. On May 5, 2007, Bingo became my beloved Tri-Paw Border Collie. He bounced back quickly. Two weeks after his surgery, a section of his incision necroses and became infected. He went back in for it to be cleaned and resutured. The next week, we returned to the vet to have some more of the staples/sutures removed. I mentioned to the vet that I noticed Bingo had these huge lumps under his chin. They took an aspirate. The results came back lymphoma. I was devastated. Again, after much soul searching, I opted for chemotherapy. Bing did remarkably well. We had a few bad days, but always came through them! Bing attended summer Dog Camp in August, and Doggie Dance Camp in September. We finished the 19-week protocol in October 2007. A few weeks later, I noticed Bingo straining to go to the bathroom, and wanting to go urgently. October 20, 2007 we took him to the vet...unbelievable!! The vet found a mass near his prostate. There was nothing more they could do. I decided to try a holistic veterinarian. We started holistic supplements along with Western medications. He has started to be able to urinate on his own and did well. Sadly, Bingo lost his fight on February 18, 2008. No one expected my boy to fight for this long! I am grateful for everyday we had! He fought bravely, always with that goofy Bingo grin. He had a will like no other and a spirit that couldn't be broken! Bingo is my canine soul mate and I love him dearly. This was so unfair! Bingo was such a gentle soul...he truly is my best friend! Things just won't be the same. I am lucky to have had Bingo in my life...even for such a short time. Letting him go was the greatest final gift I could give him. Cancer didn't win...he won! He's finally free! Run free, sweet Bingo, run free! I love and miss you...always. |
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| Ricky (Dalmatian) April 2009 Ricky the young Dalmatian owned and loved by Mary Ann & Tom Coutley whose life was short but gave us millions of memories. |
 | Navy(Belgian Tervuren) August 2009 Navy Belgian Tervuren owned and loved by Patti Muraczewski who danced his way in the hearts of many people. |
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