“Rainbow Bridge” is a lovely prose poem written for anyone who’s suffered the loss of a beloved pet. The author is unknown.
I created a free printable based on “Rainbow Bridge” in loving memory of my daughter’s (and our family’s) cat, Caressa, who died yesterday. Caressa entered our lives when Christina was 12 years old and added much beauty and joy to our lives over the years. Caressa suffered from lymphoma and was expected to die two years ago. Christina and her husband, Tom, lovingly cared for Caressa, giving her two extra years. Caressa died naturally and peacefully yesterday at age 15 while being loved and petted.
For printing, feel free to download the higher quality free printable without watermark. I tried to leave large enough margins that you should be able to adjust it for printing on a variety of paper sizes. If you’d like to share the image online, please use the image with the watermark. I always appreciate when you link to my post, too.
To download printable poem without watermark, click here, then right click on the image and choose “Save Picture As . . .”
“To Live in Hearts” Word Art Freebie
Rest in peace, Caressa.
Note: I have lots of word-art inspiration at the Bits of Positivity Facebook page and on Pinterest!
Background Image Credit: Image by pretoperola
Susan Struzanski says
just used your post of rainbow bridge to comfort my great niece who is losing her old bunny Cinnamon due to cancer. Thank you for sharing!
Deb Chitwood says
I hope it was helpful, Susan. A pet’s death is so hard even when it’s expected. Deb
Carla poss says
Dear Deb, I love the rainbow bridge poem. When we lost our baby Gracie (American bulldog) our vet gave us this poem with her ashes. It really helped me. I just passed it along to a family member who just lost her dog. Thank you!
Deb Chitwood says
I’m sorry for your loss of Gracie, Carla. I’m glad the vet gave you the rainbow bridge poem. I really love the poem, too, and find it very comforting. Thanks for passing it along to your family member. I love seeing it reach as many people who need it as possible. Deb
Cindy Sassaman says
Thank you for the printable Rainbow Bridge poem. I always am looking for one to send when a friend loses a special pet. The poem gives me comfort and I hope it does for them also. Thanks for sharing!
Deb Chitwood says
My pleasure, Cindy. I always find comfort in the poem. I hope it helps others, too. Deb
Tom Callahan says
Bless you for the Rainbow Bridge printable poem. None of the Hallmark card stores carry this card-so it’s not available when you need it. We just did-for my friend’s grandaughter. Thank You.
Deb Chitwood says
I’m glad it was helpful, Tom. It was very helpful for our family when Caressa died. Deb
Janne says
Thank you for making this poem available. I printed it out onto glossy photo paper for a dear friend who has lost many beloved cats over the years- I know she will love it- suitable for framing!
Deb Chitwood says
My pleasure, Janne. I like it best on photo paper, too. I hope it helps bring comfort to your friend. Deb
Sonny says
One month to the day that we lost our beloved Big Boy. I have had three animals in my life over my 61 years on this earth. Big Boy was my first cat and I loved him with all my heart. I won’t have another- I can’t bear this feeling again. He and my two dogs will be with me as long as I live- I just don’t know if I will recover from this one.
Deb Chitwood says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sonny. I’m sending prayers and hoping you’ll find a way to recover. Deb
Andrea says
Hi Deb, I’d like to use your online version of Rainbow Bridge with watermark and link, bur I dont see it. I only see the printable link. I’d. Like to post it to FaceBook in memory of my beautiful girl, Chilii; my 15-year-old rat terrier who left us yesterday
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Andrea, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Chilii. You can just save the image you see in the blog post that says BitsofPositivity.com in the lower right corner and upload that to Facebook with this link: https://bitsofpositivity.com/rainbow-bridge-free-printable-poem-pet-loss/. Thanks so much for asking. Deb
Darlene says
Hi Deb,
Thanks so much for the printable poem. My neighbors just very unexpectedly lost their year old puppy Willow in a truck accident. She was such a delightful happy dog with a brilliant shade of reddish orange hair. She often come over and play with my dog. We are a neighborhood with many many doggies so we are all grieving this lose. I just don’t know how they are surviving, but I hope this poem will bring them a little comfort.
Thanks again!
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Darlene, Willow sounded like such a sweet puppy. I hope the poem helped bring comfort to your neighbors. Deb
Viv Bell says
I sent this to my friend Justin over the loss of his Neisha. Thank you.
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Viv, That was such a kind thing to do. I hope the poem helped. Deb
Jane says
Thank you so much for making this available to us A single nurse, former NAVy Commander who served in Iraq. lost her dig yesterday. Alone now, she and Molly were inseparable. Think this will ease part of hhe pain. I first saw this poem in a vet”s office. after having to have my own pet put to sleep. I pray it will help her.
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Jane, I hope the poem helped ease your friend’s pain. Thanks so much for sharing it with her. Bless you. Deb
Carol W Taylor says
Thank you allowing me to download The Rainboe Bridge poem. A friend with very elderly cats has never hesrd the poem. I am hopeful it will help her in her decisions ahead.
Thank you again and God bless.
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Carol. I hope it was helpful to your friend. God bless you, too. Deb
Janice Young says
Deb I am so glad that I found your site. I sent the Rainbow Poem to someone that loss their cat. When I had to put my Pepper down last year because of Dementia someone sent me a copy of the poem, at that time I didn’t know of your site but anyway I found it and was able to purchase it printed on canvas, but has a different picture. But I love that poem, I cry every time I read it, I cry every time I think of my dog, it was just me and her for 15 years and I miss her so much. Anyway thank you for making this printable, so now I know where to find it. God bless you!!!
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Janice, I’m so sorry about your dog. I hope you’ve found comfort in the memories of her. I’m glad you found my site. I hope others will find comfort in the poem. It’s such a beautiful way to remember a loved pet. God bless you, too! Deb
Carol A Schindel says
Thank you so very much – timing couldn’t be better! We are saying good bye to our precious Jack Russell Terrier, Meeka, who won’t make it to her 14th birthday August 9, 2019. What a beautiful and suitable background to such comforting words. I have printed it out and will leave it for my husband after our return from the vet in the morning. Thanks again…
Deb Chitwood says
Hi Carol, I’m so sorry about Meeka. I hope the poem helps. Sending prayers for you and your husband. Deb