From the Rainbow Bridge

In his role as an ambassador for the Rainbow Bridge, Jimmy is happy to check in with your pet and send you a personalized letter telling you all about their joyful life on the other side of the bridge and the adventures they are having there. Personalized letters are a meaningful way to remember your pet. They also make thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Below is a sample of a personalized letter from Jimmy about a newly arriving dog. Your letter will be specially customized based on information you provide to one of Jimmy's helpers.

A Very Good Dog Named Arlo Jean Crosses the Rainbow Bridge
Dear Friend,

Hi! My name is Jimmy and I'm a dog who lives on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge with my good dog pal Joey.

As ambassadors for the Rainbow Bridge Newcomers Club, it's part of our job to get new arrivals settled and, after they are, we like to send a letter home to let their families know they've made it safely across the bridge. Arlo Jean is doing great!

After her big welcoming reception, which we give all newcomers, Joey and I trotted Arlo Jean over to her house, which she shares with her pack mates Madge, a round low-riding corgi-basset hound mix, and Helen, a long-haired calico cat. Madge was so excited to see Arlo Jean, her whole wiggled LIKE WHAT. It was harder to tell what Helen thought of seeing her old friend again. She was giving herself a bath in a stream of sunlight, but I'm pretty sure the fact that she stopped what she was doing and blinked twice in Arlo Jean's direction is cat-speak for "It's been too long! I've missed you! You look great!"

Madge showed Arlo Jean to her bedroom, outfitted with a big cushy bed and toy boxes overflowing with balls, plush animals, ropes and other treats. As a puppy, Arlo Jean loved to tear things up and fling the bits everywhere, so Madge made sure one corner was filled with old books, ratty socks and other stuff meant for shredding. Arlo Jean's eyes got wide and her tailed wagged so hard, she wacked Madge in the snout a few times. "All this? It's just for me?" she asked. "Of course," we said. "But we've got plenty more to show you!"

And with that we set out to give Arlo Jean a tour of the neighborhood. We started at one of the most popular spots, the food court, which has stands like Legs! Legs! Legs! and Cheesemongers. Arlo Jean, we weren't surprised to learn, was most excited about Forbidden Edibles, with its buffet of socks, underpants, mittens and shoes - all "borrowed" from people who are still on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. (So, don't worry next time you lose a sock in the dryer, it's gone to a good place.)

Arlo Jean ordered a well-worn loafer to go and we headed for a place we knew she'd love: the Don't Fence Me In Dog Park and Recreation Area. The big, grassy field is lined with rows and rows of barriers - chain-link and white picket fences, stone walls, bamboo screens, wrought-iron rails of all lengths and heights.

Madge, who knows the place well, scampered ahead, her squat legs carrying her faster than you'd think they could, until she reached a stretch of chain-link fence, and started digging, dirt and rocks flying behind her. By the time we caught up, Madge was halfway underneath. A timer on one post tracked her progress; she'd only been at it two minutes. Arlo Jean ran off, jumping over a series of stone walls before scaling a picket fence and circling back to congratulate Madge on the enormous hole she'd dug. Joey and I agreed it was impressive. "And you're fast, Arlo Jean! I bet you could set a course record," I told her.

"This place is great!" she said. "I have to admit I was a little worried about crossing the bridge and leaving my family behind."

We all looked at each other. It was time to show Arlo Jean something else. When we arrived back at their house, Madge took her into the living room, where Helen was still giving herself a bath. She flicked her tail in our general direction. With her paw, Madge pushed the red power button on the TV remote and then hit 1-1-8. Images of her family on the other side of the bridge filled the screen. Arlo Jean tilted her head, a little confused. Then her ears perked up, making perfect triangles, and her tail wagged faster and faster.

    "My mommy! My dog brother! My cat sisters!" she woofed.

    "You can turn it on any time of day or night and see what they are doing," Madge told her.

    "I can watch over them, even from here?" Arlo Jean asked. "Yep! Whenever you want!" Madge said.

    Arlo Jean ran into her bedroom to grab a small cardboard box to chew on and then she and Madge curled up on the sofa for a night of must-see TV. As Joey and I bid them a good evening, Helen slowly rose from her spot and sauntered over to join them. Our work for the day was done.