#MondayMourning: The Rainbow Bridge Poem

If you've ever had a pet, you're probably familiar with this poem. It's the go-to condolence for animal lovers. If you're not in the know, it's a poem that's been featured all the way from Dear Abby to every veterinarian's office ever. It describes animals "crossing the bridge" into a super awesome meadow. Their youth, health, and mobility are restored, and they spend their days romping about together. They're fantastically happy, but for one thing: they miss their person.

Eventually, a day comes when the pet sees a familiar figure in the distance. They break from the pack, running to tackle their person with vigor, then escort them across the bridge. Everybody cries.

For years, the poem has been credited as Anonymous or Unknown. Worse, several people have claimed authorship. A writer of pet cemetery books (no, not that Pet Sematery book) recently tracked down the original author. She was astonished to learn that her words had been famous for decades. She still has the first handwritten draft, completed after the family dog died in 1959.

Edna Clyne-Rekhy, an 82 year old artist and animal lover, lives in Scotland. She was only 19 when her dog, Major, died in her arms. Prompted by her deep grief, Edna's mother suggested she write down her feelings. Those words have brought comfort to millions of pet lovers ever since.

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