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Site Offers Comfort, Support For Pet Owners In Mourning

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2007

Although several people have taken credit for it, no one really knows who penned 'The Rainbow Bridge,' a parable that consoles those mourning departed pets.

'It gives us the hope of being reunited again,' says Ginny Brancato, who runs an Internet pet memorial site called Rainbows Bridge ( www.rainbowsbridge.com). The site, now in its ninth year, doubles as a pet loss support network, drawing some 77,000 unique visitors a week.

The Cape Canaveral woman started the site because she had nowhere to turn when FiFi, her 14-year-old tortoiseshell cat, died in 1997. She tried to buy an obituary in her local newspaper and was refused. (The Tribune will begin selling memorial-type ads, called Pet Tributes, on Dec. 1.) With no other outlet, Brancato created a venue where pet owners could establish online memorials for their departed companions.

'Fifi gave me nothing but love her whole life, and now that love lives on through this site,' Brancato says.

Rainbowbridge.com also offers a chat room, one-on-one counseling, a Monday night candlelight memorial service and Rainbow Bridge products from vendors, including a pin designed by Brancato. Proceeds (it costs $25 to establish the memorial, $12 for the pin) go to support animal shelters around the country.
Veterinary schools use the site as a teaching tool to show students the importance and necessity of compassion, she says.

'We know how many people out there need this support, so we're there to help. You don't have to go through this alone.'
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 that 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 can 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. 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 ...

Author unknown

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