Older Records for the Rainbow Bridge
Older records for the Rainbow Bridge can be found here for the next several months. If you have a dog whose story appears on our other website, please make a copy for your records as we will be archiving that data. You can find that older data here for a little while: http://www.luckystarcavalierrescue.org/page.php?name=Rainbow%20Bridge

The 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. 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...

Pepper
Pepper (formerly Olive) crossed the bridge sadly too soon. Rest in peace sweet girl and run free and happy. You will be greatly missed by your family and all who met you.

Mae
Sweet Mae who was almost 11 yrs. old went to the bridge in July, 2011 after a long bout of cancer. She came into rescue with her daughter Marilyn after they were both used for years for breeding. Rest in Peace sweet Mae. You will be missed greatly by all who loved you and by Marilyn.

Mia
Mia joined Mae and the others at the Rainbow Bridge this morning. I knew she was heading downhill fast, but had refused to let her go just yet. The lymphoma had invaded her bone marrow and for the past week, she has only been able to stand if assisted. We would hold her hind quarters up while she ate, drank and pottied. She spend 90% of the day sleeping. A few days ago she began to refuse her food. We began feeding her soft bits from the table and yogurt, which she always tasted, but never ate much of. Saturday she would only lick a tiny bit of yogurt off a spoon, but had absolutely no desire for any of her other favorites. Yesterday when I looked in her eyes, I just knew she was ready to go. I gave her a bath (of sorts) and she thanked me with lots of tail wags. This morning I was putting off calling the vet when Chris came into my study yelling. Mia was lifeless on the floor with old blood pooled around her head. We thought she would die before we could get her cleaned up again and to the vet, but she continued to hang on. We got her cleaned up, grabbed her favorite blanket and took off for the vet. We got to hold her for some time in the exam room before the vet came in and told us it was time to let her go. We knew this already, but I think it helped Chris and I both to hear the vet say it. It was especially confirming when Mia raised her tired little head, looked us in the eyes and wagged her tail for us one more time. "Mia's never stopped wagging her tail," Chris told the vet. "How is that possible when she is so sick?" "She's a cavalier," the vet responded. "That's what they do, they always wag their tails." What a sweet, sweet girl Mia was. It was a pleasure to care for such a loving, good natured, tail-wagging girl. I'll miss her.