Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a bird dies that has been especially close to someone here, that companion goes to Rainbow Bridge. At Rainbow Bridge there are meadows and hills and beautiful trees of all kinds where all our special friends can fly and climb, hang and flap, hop and run, jump and play, squawk and squeal and sing together. There is plenty of good food, including grapes and peanuts, ice cream and cheese and spaghetti, and especially lots of pizza. There is crystal clear water in brooks, and springs are filled with water as well as every kind of delicious fresh fruit juice. One warm spring even runs full of the coffee they can now drink their fill of without hearing a single no-no. There is lots of glorious sunshine, and sweet warm rain when they want it, and our friends are warm and comfortable and totally at peace.

All the birds who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor and to their natural incredible beauty. Their feathers shine, their wings feathers are whole, and their eyes gleam once again with vitality. Those who were hurt or maimed or ignored or broken-hearted are made whole and strong and free of fear again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

The birds are happy and content..... except for one small thing -- they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind when the bird returned home. Still they all fly and play happily and safely and noisily together - even the grouchiest greys and orneriest senegals, the tiniest finches and the grandest macaws.

But the day comes for each bird when he suddenly stops and looks far into the distance. His body freezes and his bright eyes are intent as he watches and listens in silence. Suddenly he begins to fly from the group, soaring over the green grass, his wings flapping harder and harder!!!

YOU have been spotted, and he shrieks to you and then calls your name and his own and cries again and again and as he rushes toward you. When you and your bird finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, knowing you will never be parted again. Your face and your fingers - and even your toes - and covered with beak nibbles and soft ecstatic kisses. Your hair is preened by that special beak, and his head bends under your fingers to invite your touch. Your hands again find their way under beloved wings, to caress the downy softness beneath. You look once more into the trusting eyes of your companion -- so long gone from your physical life on earth, but never for an instant absent from your heart.

Your tears of joy are gently brushed away by those beloved wings... and feeling immersed once more in total contentment and love, you and your beloved companion cross Rainbow Bridge together......"