Welcome. I am Wolf Stout Heart, Second Year Resident of the Rainbow Bridge. This is your introduction to the Rainbow Bridge. I have been a resident here for a little over a year and am now a member of the Welcome and Orientation Committee, Wolfdog and Northern Breed Division.
 
I have the extreme honor of escorting you North of the Rainbow Bridge where those of our kind wait.  You have already received your Silver Harness, and it looks so good

on you.  Now, let us begin our journey.
 
As you see, there are fields of sheep and cows for the herding dogs, and over there are the lakes, marshes and fields for the hounds and sporting dogs to play.  And here are Beau and Sam, the Goldens I lived with -- we visit often, after all we have loved and are waiting for the same Humans.
 
See ya later, guys.  This is one of our Siberians and we are on our way North.  Oh, look! The agility games are going on. This is one of the newer areas at the Bridge and they have just finished the Rally-O-field this time with the directions for each station written in Dog.  All the areas at The Bridge are for all the animals here and we have a lot of fun together. I have even seen some of the cats at the swimming ponds.
 
See that area over there? Where the sun shines bright and warm all the time, and there is a gentle mist for a few hours each day? That is where all the reptiles and amphibians are. They all have nice tree limbs and warm rocks to lounge on.
 
But let's continue North.  Oh, check out those hedges and trees - that is where the bunnies and the mice, rats, gerbils and ferrets are.  I like to come down and watch them play; they just have so much fun.  The flurry of activity and squeaking for joy when one of their Humans is coming is

a time to treasure.
 
Now watch your step, this is the Large Animal area. Occasionally all the horses, mules, donkeys, even the cows

and goats get a little carried away with the Herd Running Game and can give a smaller critter like us quite a surprise

as they break the hill at full gallop.  Even the pigs and  chickens take part.
 
Here, the hills get a little steeper and woods a little thicker. It is so much fun to run full speed, up and down the hills dodging the trees.  Here you will see the 'exotic' animals -- the tigers and lions and bears and wolves, all the animals thought of as wild but have hearts shared with humans.  They, too, will cross the Rainbow Bridge with their special person.
 
But our journey carries us further to the North.
You feel the air getting crisper? And look, your coat is fuller and your Silver Harness shines brighter. We are getting close.  Now, step carefully we are crossing the Crystal Bridge. Here the weather is always clear, the snow just the right depth, and the trail perfect.  Since we have arrived during the afternoon, I can show you some of the activities we have. The Northern Breeds have many interests and enjoy
many different games. I know you are used to having your Human hook your harness to the sled or cart, but your Silver Harness has magic and will hitch to what ever you want.
Over here is the Weight Pulling arena. We have both wheeled carts and sleds. And yes, there are a lot of other breeds up here pulling.  The cart always has just the right weight and you always complete the pull.  Even though the Humans aren't there to cheer you on we all gather around and woo you on to victory. The Sammies are over there herding reindeer, and
there are open streams for the Inuits and Greenlands to fish for salmon.
 
The Siberian Huskies came up with a great idea that has now become a tradition with all the breeds.  Each year during the National Breed Specialty there is a Rainbow Bridge Specialty Show.  All the dogs who had show careers and those who just wanted to be a show dog go into the show ring and go around one more time. The Siberians have gotten permission to have visitors from Heaven during that time. Humans who have no dog with them are allowed to come visit and watch the show.  Judges and Stewards come and take part. And the old breeders come to see how the breeds are developing and visit with their great-great grandpuppies.  All the dogs that are participating the first time get their Silver Rosette.
You see, every dog here is perfect.
 
If you look around you see not only are there warm straw beds to rest on, but houses with soft sofas and fireplaces to just lounge on and swap stories. Many of the residents wait here for the night.  That is the time all of the Northern Breed dogs assemble.  Each night the team is formed up and
they run.  They can be seen from earth as the Northern
Lights.  Now we are getting members from the Southern Hemisphere, and they run to the South Pole of earth to give them lights too.
 
Each March is a special run. That is when the Iditarod is run on earth, and all the dogs who have raced team up together for a special display.  Many of them are cheering on their Humans who are racing.
 
Many of them have family members on the trail. It seems the Alaskans and the Sibes work their hardest to make the most spectacular light display.
 
Well, I think you are pretty well acquainted with the Rainbow Bridge and North.  There are just a couple of other things you should know.
 
You are able to see your Humans when you miss them most. They may have gotten a new puppy. That is good. It means they have started to heal from the loss they felt when you left.  But remember, a part of your heart remained with them to replace the part of their heart they gave to you.
 
Now, occasionally, your Human may be particularly sad and missing you.  You are able to send your love to them any time. They will feel your love.  It may be as a shadow in the corner of their sight, or the soft sound of your woo, or a gentle breeze caressing their cheek. And it will bring them comfort.

 

And there is one special night, Christmas Eve.  All the animals
waiting for a special person gather together and send their gift of love to that person.  That night we are able to see into that person's home and if the person looks, there is a star shining particularly bright.  Just for them from us.
 
Oh, I see the sun is setting and you are looking at all the dogs
gathering in team.   Go, and run.  It is your night.
 
Godspeed.
 
Copyright December 2003 by Bilinda Marshall. Permission is granted to crosspost and adapt as long as the original Author's name is given