CAPS: Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge

Red is a handsome 2.5-year-old Border Collie mix. Abandoned on the highway, he found his way to CAPS. His beautiful red coat and golden eyes sparkle. Red is very active and loves running by a bike, hiking, walking, and playing. Provided to the LVN

Kathleen Williams-Miller

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Dear readers, as August takes a final bow before ushering in September there is one last animal holiday on the calendar, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. With that in mind, I wanted to give a shout out to the creator of the Rainbow Bridge poem.

The poem, published in Dear Abby on Feb. 20, 1994, became an instant hit. However, the author had been a mystery. A recent discovery reveled that Edna Clyne-Rekhy, an 82-year-old Scottish woman, penned the poem over 63 years ago in honor of her dog Major, who had passed away.

Edna had written the poem when she was 19 years old and throughout the years had tried to get it published to no avail. It was a mere fluke that one of Abby’s readers had sent a copy of the poem to her column, and she published it.

If you have lost a pet, you know the deep grief that washes over you leaving you feeling empty and lonely. The poem is a salve to the raw emotion of grief. It is a long piece, so I have amended it slightly. You can read the entire poem online.

“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together ... They are happy and content except for one small thing, they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind ... They all run and play together, but the day comes when. .. you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again. You and your pet are in tears. Your hands again cuddle his head and you look again into his trusting eyes, so long gone from life, but never absent from your heart, and then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.”

It is a lovely tribute to our departed BFFs. XOXO to Watson, Troutie, Baby, Mr. White, Mr. Wolf, Lucy, and Benny.

LOOKING FOR A HOME

We have two handsome 1-year-old male puppies. BG and Diego are anxiously waiting to find their forever homes. We also have four Border Collie mix puppies five-months-old and eight Tabby kittens in shades of gray. Come and check them out; they are cute!

IN NEED OF

• Items for the CAPS garage sale. Call 775-423-7500 to have your items picked up.

• Volunteers to help pick up garage sale items.

• Funds to sustain the shelter. We have veterinary, food, and utility bills. Any contribution will be helpful.

• Would you like to foster animals? We need volunteers. Call 775-423-7500 for details.

• Dog walkers, we need consistent volunteers to walk and socialize our dogs. Call 775-423-7500 for details.

• Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.

SHOUT OUT TO

The many CAPS volunteers who represented our shelter at the Cantaloupe Fair. You are the heart and soul of CAPS.

COME SEE US

CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.

DON’T FORGET

• August Holiday: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Aug. 28.

• Over the Rainbow: If you would like your pet remembered send his/her name and a short description to [email protected].

• Would you like a newsletter? Call 775-423-7500 or email [email protected].

• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is [email protected]. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.

Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email [email protected].

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