The earthly Rainbow Bridge is an American national monument (proclaimed in 1910) located in Southern Utah at the base of Navajo Mountain, just North of the Arizona border. A natural formation of salmon-pink sandstone, it resembles the arc of a rainbow and is the largest natural bridge in the world. A former branch of the Colorado River created the Rainbow Bridge through erosion, first by carving the Bridge Canyon and then enlarging a hole which, over time, became the Bridge itself.

The Native Americans who dwell in that region have been aware of the Bridge for many years, but it only became well-known after 1909, when local guides led a group of white explorers to the area. Rainbow Bridge is considered by the Indians to be a sacred place and tourists may hike to the monument only with the permission of the Navajo Nation, which owns the land surrounding the Bridge. In deference to the tribal elders, it is requested that all visitors refrain from walking upon the hallowed ground under Rainbow Bridge.

Perhaps it is from this notion of such a sacred area that the heavenly Rainbow Bridge was created, although some believe it may have been inspired by an ancient Norse legend. The story of this joyful place, where all animals are transported after their time on earth is done, has been told for a long time. Nobody knows for sure exactly who first spun the tale and there are several variations...some of them available in print.

All have the same beautiful and comforting theme.

What follows is but one of those variations...

The Rainbow Bridge Story

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of Rainbow Bridge is a special land.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills and valleys with lush green grass for all of our special friends, so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warn and comfortable. All the animals who have 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 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. The bright eyes are intent, the nose twitches and the eager body quivers. Suddenly, this one breaks away from the group, flying over the green grass, legs carrying them 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 the Rainbow Bridge together...

But then, there are some at the Bridge who are different. These are the animals who were beaten, starved, tortured and unloved. They watch wistfully as their friends leave, one by one, to cross the Bridge with their special person. For them, there is nobody special...no special one. Their time on Earth did not give them that.

Yet one day, as they run and play, they notice somebody standing by the road to the Bridge. This person watches with longing the reunion of friends, for during life, this person had no pet. This person was beaten, starved, tortured and unloved.

Standing there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches, curious as to why this person is by themselves...and, as the unloved pet and the unloved person come closer to each other, a miracle occurs, for these are the ones who were meant to be together...the special person and the beloved pet who never had the chance to meet while on Earth. Finally now, at the edge of Rainbow Bridge, their souls meet, the pain and sorrow disappears, and the two friends joyfully greet.

They cross the Rainbow Bridge together...never again to be separated.

Borrowed from http://www.novareinna.com/bridge
with many thanks!