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
Miss Ellie Mae came into my life shortly after Blue’s passing as the household was a bit lonely and Abby was in need of a new playmate. Abby became the best big sister to Ellie and they became inseparable. One day I was out hiking with Abby and Ellie on a familiar trail that had just been damaged by an ice storm. Ellie was around 6 months old and when we came to a large tree downed across the trail, Abby proceeded to walk underneath the tree but Ellie decided to spring over it instead. My first thought when that happened, was “this dog needs to do agility” and from there the rest is history. Ellie took me and her pack-mates head-first into the world of dog agility. She loved it from the very first tunnel she took and she ran with pure joy every single time we were out on a course for practice or for competition. Ellie was also the one who introduced me to canine massage as she was very exuberant even in her aging years. With the help of canine massage, and at times acupuncture and chiropractic work, she was able to compete safely and do the things she loved. Ellie taught me how to live life enthusiastically and to find joy in everything you do. Her passion was playing agility and playing Frisbee, but Ellie just loved being with me whether it was for a hike in the woods or snuggling on the couch. Ellie passed suddenly of hemangiosarcoma at 12 ½, and not a day goes by that I do not think of this girl with love and gratitude.