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 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. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying him 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 the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Mia

April 16, 2004 - May 28, 2016

Breed: Cockapoo

Weight: ~20 lbs

Personality: Sweetheart, happy, loving

Likes: Treats, stuffed toys, hiking, baby animals, sleeping

Dislikes: Wind, rabbits, rude puppies, being confused

I love my Mia.  She is the sweetest, gentlest, most loving dog I know.  When I was in 4th grade my family's lab mix (RIP Cindy) died and my parents said we would get a puppy in four years.  Well, we couldn't last four years without a dog so a couple years later baby Mia came home.  She's taught me a lot about training and caring for dogs.  I trained her to do a lot of tricks when we were younger, and a homemade agility course.

Mia is still playful in her older years and loves hiking!  I used to bring her a few times a week when I lived at home but now we only go once a week or so.  Our favorite places to hike are Indian Brook Reservoir in Essex and Mill's Riverside Park in Underhill.  Mia's really great off leash and has an excellent recall and sit-stay.  Unfortunately she's having a harder time hearing now so I can't let her run off too far or she won't hear me call her back.  She also has kidney disease.  Other than that, she's doing really well and has a high quality of life.

Another fun fact about Mia is that she loves baby animals.  If a baby bird falls out of a nest she gets really upset and finds a human to lead to it so we can help it.  She loves nudging toads and woolly bear caterpillars with her nose, she'll just lie down and watch them while occasionally nudging them.  She loves human babies too, she's always very gentle with them and gets upset when they cry.  She's helped raise chicks and ducklings as well.  She's just a very sweet, gentle dog.  

Sophie

May 10, 2009- April 26, 2017

Breed: Rabbit (Honorary dog)

Weight: ~5 lbs

Personality: Sassy, mischievous, opinionated

Likes: Exercise, chewing, digging, dogs, fruit

Dislikes: Yelling, not having food, birds

My sister really wanted a pony.  She entered a contest to win a pony and when she didn't, our parents bought us a rabbit as a consolation prize.  I never expected such a small animal to have such a big personality.  This rabbit is the sassiest being I've ever met.  She loves destruction, she'll bite you if you don't share your food with her, she bosses the dogs around, she thumps at you when she's mad.  When she used to live with Mia she would torment that dog.  Mia would be lying next to Sophie's cage and when Sophie was bored she'd thump loudly, and then hop over to watch Mia jump up, tuck her tail, and run away.  Her adorable face is deceptive indeed.  I love her.

My parents got tired of Sophie eating the furniture so when I moved out of the college dorms they told me to take her with me or she'd end up at the Humane Society.  Sophie's been loving life ever since.  She gets more exercise and attention living with me and plenty of fruits and veggies.