The Rainbow Bridge is written & copyrighted by,
Paul C. Dahm

So many times I see the moving poem Rainbow Bridge spread all over the Internet with the author as "Unknown."
The Rainbow Bridge does have an author, he was a grief counselor and he wrote this poem while dealing with the
loss of his own pet. His name is Paul C. Dahm. He obtained the copyright to it in 1977.
There are also two more individuals who claim to be the author of this lovely poem: William N. Bitton
and Dr. Wallace Sife. Mr Dahm's claim lends to more authenticity that he is the original author,
as he is the one with the copyright to the poem.

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, 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...

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