The poem about Rainbow Bridge

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welsh_mare

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I have only read it once on here and thought it lovely, now i can't find it and my vet has just phoned and my beautiful boy will be PTS on thursday afternoon and i am desperate to find it to print it off.

Sorry if this is garbled but am sitting here distraught wondering how the hell do i get through the next 48 hours?, how can i be big and strong for my 2 little boys, when all i want to do is go and sit in a corner rocking, they don't understand all this and i just feel like i am slowly falling apart right now, i just wish i could find the poem so anyone who could help thank-you, and sorry for the piying post.
 
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. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his 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.


I know exactly how you are feeling as i lost my much loved mare 2 weeks ago, she was with me for her whole 17 years. Hugs x
 
I'm looking now for you, but if it's the one I think it is, its only going to make you more emotional :(

I'm so sorry to hear your awful sad news :(
**MASSIVE hugs**
 
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. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his 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....

so sorry about your horse. we lost my boys wee pony (white one in sig) just in april and it was so hard. I knew a few days earlier too and it was just spent making his last few days the best I could. My son took it terribly hard too.
I stayed with him til it was over and he went to sleep and just sat with him until the transport came to take him away. It was all very peaceful and I am glad i was the last person he saw.
hugs for thursday, i know it is hard but you are doing the best for your boy. Please have a friend there with you who doesn't mind having a soggy shoulder. xxx

ets just read the poem again and it has started me off!
 
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Here's another one that might help too -

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this, last battle, can't be won.
You will be sad - I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stands the test.
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want to suffer so,
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend
Only stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you too will see
It is a kindness you do to me....

XXXXX
 
If you go on google and type in rainbow bridge it has the poem and lots of other things on the website...its very sad so maybe too emotional at the moment for you.

Sorry to hear about your boy ((((Hugs))))
 
((((((((((hugs)))))))))) I'm so sorry for you.
I thought i'd post a few other poems that people have sent to me since I lost my darling Lucy.

God saw you
getting tired and a cure was not too be.
So he put his arms around you and whispered come to me.
With tearful eyes I watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although I loved you dearly, I couldn't make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God broke my heart to prove to me,
he only took the best.

Heres another.

Your Special Heart.
So many things to thank you for
I dont know where to start
But most of all I never ment
To hurt your special heart

We shared a lasting friendship
For more than twenty years
We shared the good times and the bad
I shared your hopes and fears

They called me back so quickly
Thant you couldnt say goodbye
You never kissed my forehead
And I know that made you cry

Although you werent beside me
When they came to take me home
My ain has gone, my wounds have healed
My spirits free to roam

So go to our own special place
I promise I'll be there
Im in the grass and meadow fowers
Im dancing in the air

I know you wont forget me
Perhaps youll plant a tree
And when in spring it comes to life
Youll sit and think of me

With time the pain with lessen
Then rejoice in what we had
I want you to remember me
With smiles and be glad

Dont drown yourself in sorrow
At the way we had to part
For I never ever ment to break
Youre very special heart.


Spend every possible moment with your horse. (I'm shore you will anyway.)
I realy wish I could have been there for Lucy at the end but sadly it was not to be. :( We are all here for you if you need us. If you want to PM me my inbox is always open. If you need someone to listen or just to let it all out. ((((((hugs)))))) again at this difficult time.
 
My favourite - for dogs, not horses, but makes me cry:

FOUR FEET by Rudyard Kipling


I have done mostly what most men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can't forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.

Day after day, the whole day through --
Wherever my road inclined --
Four-feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

Now I must go by some other round, --
Which I shall never find --
Somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.
 
I was having a good day - now I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face..............

such a beautiful poem, I have seen it many times but it still makes me cry my eyes out.
 
WM so sorry for you. Crying again myself now.
If you are feeling strong one day go to the hoofbeats in heaven website (google it) and there are some lovely poems including the rainbow bridge for horses and another I love called Somewhere. I cannot copy and paste it as I cry so much when I read it:(

As Laura said spend as much time as you can together. Take photos. Take some mane and a piece of tail to keep. I have done this twice and each time the hardest part was waiting. I do not know how old your boys are but sometimes it is good for children to understand we get upset and they cope better than you might think. Obviously you are the best judge of this.

When the time comes just know that what you are doing is one of the kindest and bravest things you will ever do. xxx ((hugs))

ETS also The Grandest Foal is lovely too x
 
This has me in floods.

I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest foal, God said,
For you to love while she's alive
And mourn for when she's dead.

It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But, will you, till I take her back,
Take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief,
You'll have treasured memories
To bring solace in your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But, there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.

I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
With trust I have selected you.

Now will you give her your total love,
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate Me when I come
To take her back again?

I know you'll give her tenderness
And love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you've known
Forever grateful stay.

But should I come and call for her
Much sooner than you'd planned,
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And someday understand.

(((( HUGS ))))
 
My favourite

Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.

~Stanley Harrison
 
The Rainbow Bridge For Horses

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
when their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where beloved creatures find rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Til The Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed.
Their bodies have healed with strength imbued.

They trot through the grass without even a care,
Til one day they whinny and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes sharp and alert.
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the herd.

For just at that second, there's no room for remorse.
As they see each other...one person...one horse.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart
Has turned to joy once more in each heart.
They nuzzle with a love that will last forever.
And then, side-by-side, they cross over...together.
 
Thank-you all for your replies, i appreciate it, some of these poems have been fantastic and i really appreciate you giving your time.

Inbetween reading these i have had "things" to organise, calls to make, the support i receive on here means a lot, but the thought of the next 48 hours is awful, i can't stop crying. I feel totally stressed, have a thumping headache and i'm not sure if the amount of wine i have consumed tonite has helped or not.

I appreciate anyone who answers, i know everyone who has been through this had dealt with it in different ways, and any differentways would be a great help to deal with all this s**t.
 
I'm afraid I don't have any magic answers. You'll cope because you have no choice and because you are doing the right thing for your horse.
I spent the last two days before Jesper was pts doing all the things I knew he loved. I spent ages with him in the field grooming him and scratching his favourite places. He got all his favourite treats and lots of attention. Take lots of photos and cherish the time you have.
Make sure you don't expect too much of yourself for the coming weeks. I was completely exhausted from doing nothing.
You've made a very brave decision.
*Hugs*
 
Honey08 said:
Here's another one that might help too -

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this, last battle, can't be won.
You will be sad - I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stands the test.
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want to suffer so,
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend
Only stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you too will see
It is a kindness you do to me....

XXXXX
Click to expand...

My vet sent me that poem when my forever dog, was pts,sorry it will be in capitals ' CASPER< WEIMARANER< OCTOBER 2009

I love it and I keep that poem by his picture, tears have flood again, but I think it is beautiful and sums up what we ment to each other

My hugs and thoughts will be with you, it is soo hard, but it will get easier after (((HUGSSS)))) pm me if you want to, I know exactly how you atre feeling
 
Honey8 that is a lovely poem.

Welsh_mare I really feel for you, it's never easy.

I had to have M's PTS four years ago today so I've been thinking about him alot today. These poems are all lovely and have made me quite tearful but also reinforced that I made the right decision.
 
When my sister lost her 28 year old mare that she had had since weaning I searched for some poems and came acroos this site.

http://www.equinespiritsanctuary.org/Articles.html

One of the poems

Don’t cry for the horses
That life has set free
A million white horses
Forever to be.

Don’t cry for the horses
Now in God’s hands
As they dance and they prance
To a Heavenly band

They were ours as a gift,
But never to keep,
As they close their eyes
Forever to sleep.

Their spirits unbound,
On silver wings they fly.
A million white horses,
Against the blue sky.

Look up into heaven,
You'll see them above.
The horses we lost,
The horses we loved.

Manes and tails flowing,
As they gallop through time,
They were never yours
They were never mine.

Don't cry for the horses,
They'll be back some day.
When our time is gone,
They will show us the way.

Do you hear that soft nicker?
Close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses,
Love the ones that are here.


Its amazing how animals ingrain themselves into your heart forever - they are truly wonderful. Even though it is so hard to lose them it is better than never knowing them.

Hugs to you at this sad time x
 
We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.

We think of you in silence
We often speak your name.
All we have are memories,
And a picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we will never part.
God has you in his keeping,
We will keep you in our heart.

It broke our heart to lose you,
But you didnt go alone,
For a part of us went with you...
The day god took you home.


what lovely poems posted here,brings tears to my eyes
sending hugs
 
Yes the Kipling poem always gets me too, he wrote another one about dogs as well but found this one which is heart breaking in a lovely book called "Farewell my lovely .Little Paws.


This is a prayer for little paws.
All up and down the land:
Driven away, no friendly voice,
Never an outstretched hand.

For weary little paws of beasts
Torn and stained with red,
And never a home and never a rest
Till little beasts are dead/

O God of homeless things, look down
And try to ease the way
Of all the little weary paws
That walk the world today
 
OMG i shouldnt have read this post - i had to have my beloved dog pts last Friday, and now i'm blubbing all over the place at work! Gorgeous poems though, i might have one framed when I can handle it a bit better. Hugs to all those who have lost pets recently and to the OP, it's such a hard time xxxx
 
The last lines of the horses prayer.

And finally, o my master, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner to be slowly tortured and starved to death; but do thou, my master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable, Amen
 
So sorry to read that you will be losing your boy this afternoon.

Rainbow Bridge always makes me cry, daughters made a scrap book of my girl when I lost her and included it at the end, reading it now brings back some very happy memories.

Thinking about you x
 
If the day should come when I'm in pain,
And you know I won't be well again,
Promise you'll do what must be done,
If this is the battle that can't be won.

It'll break your heart, but please be kind,
Don't let your grieving sway your mind.
For this is when you'll let me see
Just how much you do love me.

Together we've had happy years
The future now can hold no fears.
Please don't let me suffer so
When that days comes, please let me go.

For my usual vet please will you send?
But stay with me until the end.
Hold me steady, speak to me
Till my once bright eyes no longer see.

In time I hope you'll come to see
It's the last kindness you'll do for me
One more time please stroke my mane
And know that I'll have no more pain.

And don't be sad that it was you
Who decided this was what to do.
We've been such buddies through the years
Don't let me be the cause of tears.

You'll always see me graze now,
with the sun upon my back
Painful limbs won't tire me now,
however long the hack.

I live now in your heart and mind,
a lovely place to stay.
And what you have in memories,
no one can take away.
 
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