There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge,
there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm Spring weather.
Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
Some of them here by the Bridge are different.
These pets were beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.
They watch wistfully as their friends leave one by one,
to cross the bridge with their special person.
For them there is no one, no special one.
Their time on earth did not give them one.
But one day, as they run and play,
they notice someone standing by the road to the bridge.
This person wistfully watches the reunions of friends,
for during life, this person had no pet.
This person was beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.
Standing there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches,
curious as to why this one is alone.
And as the unloved pet and the unloved person get nearer to each other,
a miracle occurs,
for these are the ones who were meant to be together,
the special person and the beloved pet
who never had the chance to meet while on Earth.
Finally, now, at the edge of the Rainbow Bridge,
their souls meet, the pain and the sorrow disappears,
and two friends are together.
They cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
--- Anonymous ---

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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...
*Author Unknown

この世と天を繋ぐ橋があります。
それは多くの色合いから『虹の橋』と呼ばれています。
誰かに愛されていた動物達が死ぬと、そこへ行くのです。
そこには動物達の牧草地や丘があります。
彼らはみんなでそこで、走り回り遊ぶことができます。
たくさんの食物と水があり、ふりそそぐ日差しがあります。
みんな暖かく、幸せです。
病気だったものや年老いたり、怪我をしたり、からだが不自由だったものも、
みな元のからだを取り戻すのです
ちょうど私たちが、過ぎ去った日々を夢の中で思い出すように、
動物たちは、みんな一緒に走り回って遊んでいます。

だけど、彼らの中には様子の違うものがいます。
彼らは打ちのめされ、飢えて、苦しめられ、誰にも愛されなかったのです。
仲間達が、１匹、また１匹と、最愛の人と再会し、『虹の橋』を渡って行くのを
羨ましそうに見詰めています。
彼らには、特別な人などいないのです。
生きている間、そんな人は現れなかったのです。
しかし、ある日、走り回って遊んでいると、橋に続く道端に誰かが佇んでいる事に気付きます。
この人は、羨ましそうにみんなの再会を眺めています。
というのは、この人は生きている間動物達と暮らした事がなかったからです。
この人は打ちのめされ、飢えて、苦しめられ、誰にも愛されませんでした。
一人たたずむ彼に愛された事のない動物が近付いてきます。
何故一人なのか、不思議に思って。
そうして、愛された事のないもの同士が近付くと奇跡が生まれるのです。
というのは、かれらは一緒になるべくして、生まれたからでした。
生きている間に巡り合えなかった、特別な誰かと、最愛の友として。
今遂に、『虹の橋』のたもとで、彼らの魂は巡り合い、
苦痛や悲しみは消え、彼らは一緒になるのです。
彼らは『虹の橋』を渡ります。そして二度と離れることはないです。

--- 原作者不詳---