The Healing Journey

August 28, 2026

A 2009 oil painting of the “Rainbow Bridge,” by artist Stella Violano. “The way I see it, Rainbow Bridge leads to a vast and beautiful place that is wide open and not crowded where we all live happily together forever,” Violano says. “Ms. Clyne-Rekhy has created such a message of hope.”

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, which is August 28, was started in 2015. It is a day set aside to remember our pet companions and their impact on our lives. Since God gave us pets to be our friends, their loss can be especially difficult. However, this is not a journey you are on alone, but a journey that many have gone on. On this day, we share our memories with family and friends.

The Rainbow Bridge

By Edna Clyne-Rekhy

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, 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.

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