There’s a very special place hidden in the North Carolina mountains that can help ease the aching heart of anyone grieving the loss of a beloved furry family member. Losing the unconditional love, comforting companionship, and lifelong loyalty of our canine companions leaves us shattered when they pass away.
Which is exactly what motivated artist, Amy Wald to create such a special space.
While we are all painfully aware of the fact that we will most likely outlive our furry family members, it’s a heartbreaking experience all the same. After all, they constantly shower us with love and are always there for us, no matter what.
It was after the loss of one of her beloved canine companions that Wald was inspired to create this beautiful rainbow bridge. Drawing inspiration from the Rainbow Bridge poem written by Edna Clyne in 1959, she created a place where families or individuals can come and have a special space to happily remember their cherished pets.
“For pet owners, it’s nice to have a magical space. There is no line between heaven and earth that we can see. But if you go to the bridge, you can imagine,” says Amy Wald.
She even painted pawprints walking across the bridge. The first few pawprints are whole, the next are half a footprint, and the last few are a quarter of a footprint each. It creates the illusion of them disappearing. You can almost imagine your furry best friend walking across the bridge, and then transitioning to whatever comes next.
Instead of having to walk past your pet’s empty collar and tags on a daily basis, you could come hang them on this beautiful bridge. Then, you’ll always have a special place to honor and remember them.
Once you walk across the beautiful bridge, there’s a sweet sign with a version of the Rainbow Bridge poem scrawled upon it. The original story was written by Edna Clyne of Inverness, Scotland, after her beloved Labrador Retriever, Major, passed away.
“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your 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 friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and strength, those who were hurt are made better and strong again, like we remember them before they go to heaven. They 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 shining (sic), his body shakes. Suddenly he begins to run from the herd, rushing over the grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again. You and your pet are in tears. Your hands again cuddle his head and you look again into his trusting eyes, so long gone from life, but never absent from your heart, and then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.”
You can watch an interview with the artist who created this beautiful bridge in the video below.
Featured Image: YouTube
Toledo, United States.
