Category Archives: Death and Mourning

The Rainbow Bridge

Statue of dog with basket of flowers at Aspin Hill Memorial Park.
Statue of dog with basket of flowers at Aspin Hill Memorial Park.

“The Rainbow Bridge” is a sentimental reflection on the loss of a pet and the hope of reunification after death. For decades, it has circulated without attribution among animal lovers. In this blog post, Paul Koudounaris uncovers the identity of the person who wrote “The Rainbow Bridge.” Grab a hanky and read:

The Rainbow Bridge: The True Story Behind History’s Most Influential Piece of Animal Mourning Literature

The story was also picked up by National Geographic. (The article requires a free online membership to read)

The ‘Rainbow Bridge’ has comforted millions of pet parents. Who wrote it?

Kudos to Koudounaris for his tenacity and research skills in revealing the true origin of The Rainbow Bridge.