Hearst Owned photo
Rainbow Bridge in Lake Lure, NC.
Today’s Good News story is slightly different from television station WXII Channel 12 Winston-Salem, NC. Here’s the story.
Rainbow Bridge, hidden in North Carolina mountains, helps owners remember pets in a special way.
Rainbow Bridge helps previous pet owners remember their furry friends
Pet owners know the special bond that is one-of-a-kind, that creates a special love like no other. The Rainbow Bridge in Lake Lure is an enchanted place that provides love, comfort and a place to grieve during difficult times.
The Rainbow Bridge is hidden in the River’s Edge Dog Garden of the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure.
About Rainbow Bridge
At the entrance of the colorful, rainbow-painted bridge sits a container that reads, “chains to hang tags and collars” for pet owners to attach memories of their special friends.
The bridge is adorned with collars, tags, and stuffed animals that will never be removed from the bridge. The goal is to honor pets while helping relieve grief while walking the bridge.
Rainbow Bridge Designer
The Rainbow Bridge was created by artist Amy Wald, who lost her dog. She designed the space for owners to happily remember their pets.
“If you look down, you can see paw prints at the start of the bridge. The more you walk, they begin to fade,” Wald said. Click the video to see an interview with Amy Wald.
She said she got the inspiration from envisioning the process of the animals crossing the bridge and then going on into what awaits them on the other side.
Take time on the bridge to think, mourn, or simply just stroll with the good memories you once had with your pets in mind. Once you cross the bridge, a sign reading a version of the Rainbow Bridge poem awaits you, reminding you of the purpose of the bridge and remembering your pet. The original Rainbow Bridge story was written by Edna Clyne of Inverness, Scotland, in 1959, after her Labrador Retriever, Major, passed away, according to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge site.
Rainbow Bridge Legend
Legend states that when a “pet passes away, they cross the Rainbow Bridge, where they are young, strong, and healthy again. Your pets are free to roam and play without a care. For the most part, pets are content with their new homes over the Bridge, except for one thing: missing the people they once left behind. When you and your furry friend meet again, you cling together and never let each other go. They may be gone physically, but never from your heart. It is then that you finally meet again and cross the Rainbow Bridge together.”
While visiting the Flowering Bridge at Lake Lure, make sure to check out the 2,000 species of plants and gardens.
You can visit the Rainbow Bridge at any time, located at 3070 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, North Carolina. For more information, visit Flowering Bridge at Lake Lure.
The good news in this story is that someone knew how it felt to lose a pet and designed the bridge to help others through that feeling.
Today’s JohnKu talks about helping others. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Feelings by John W. Howell © 2023
We all have feelings,
Some feel for others as well . . .
Grace upon them all.
Fiction Favorites 
So cool and sweet.
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Thanks, Charles.
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Beautiful, touching, and healing.
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For sure. Thanks, Karen.
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What a thoughtful thing to do! Vermont has a similar place, The Dog Chapel. I took my daughter there when she last visited so she could leave a tribute for her little Max.
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I wish we had something like that here. It would be comforting to leave a tribute.
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It would. As far as I know, there’s nothing like that in NH either. I had to make a special trip to take my daughter to the Dog Chapel.
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Good on you.
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Thanks.
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😁
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Mind Blown! Heart Hugged! ❤
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I know what you mean.
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Their unconditional love, (more so than many members of the family) deserves to be remembered. This is wonderful.
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I thought so too, GP. I wish we had a place here as well.
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What a moving place.
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Yes. I thought so as well.
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Love your Johnku.:-)
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Thank you, Vera. 😊
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Lake Lure isn’t far from our home. I’m happy you shared this, John.
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I wish we had a bridge here as well. Thanks, Jill.
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What a wonderful thing to share, John! Not only do I love the concept of an actual Rainbow Bridge to visit, it’s located in Lake Lure, NC, which is my favorite place in the whole world! Chimney Rock is very special to me, and the Rocky Broad river is, as well. I don’t know if this bridge was there the last time we visited, though, as it’s been quite a few years. But when we go back again (which I HOPE we will one day), we will definitely be visiting the spot.
Thank you so much for sharing this one, with, as always, the perfect JohnKu to accompany it. 😊❤️
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I hope you can get back to visit, Marcia. I think it would be worth seeing.
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For me, everything up there is worth seeing over and over again, and this would be a wonderful part of it all, and something I’ve never seen before. It’s such a lovely idea! Thanks again for sharing. 😀
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😁
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It’s a beautiful idea, but I don’t think I could go there. I’d be sobbing the whole time. Hope they keep a healthy supply of tissues out for visitors.
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I’m with you on the sobbing. Looking at the photo had me tear up.
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What a great idea!
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It is, Joan. Thanks
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What a lovely idea and a comfort to those who have lost a dear pet. Like Teri, I would be sobbing the entire visit.
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Yeah, me too. Thanks, Darlene.
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A wonderful idea and right here in NC! I would have so many collars to place on that bridge…
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Yes. I have a number myself.
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John, this is so beautiful. My kids know that our cats/dogs ashes are in my closet, to be scattered with mine when that day comes. They are just a little bit creeped out…😺
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What do kids know anyway. I think it is a great idea.
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What a wonderful place to visit and honor your pet’s memory. Thanks for sharing, John!
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It was a heart warming story. Thanks, Barbara.
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Those of us who’ve lost a pet would certainly appreciate having a real-time place where we could go to remember them. Thanks for sharing, John. I’ve heard the best comforters are those who’ve suffered themselves.
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I think you are right, Debbie.
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That touched my heart…
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I wish there was one here too.
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Pets are so true to their family that they deserve remembering.
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I agree, Tim. Thanks.
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What a beautiful thing to do and place, John.
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Thanks, Denise.
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What a wonderful thing to do for pets and their owners.
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Thanks.
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So useful solution, dear John! Our pets change our lives. We must be grateful to them. Thank you.
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I think so too. I wish we had such a bridge here.
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So sweet! It must bring comfort to see that rainbow bridge our pets have crossed over.
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I think it would be. Of course, a lot of tears too.
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Thank you for posting the real rainbow bridge. There is the poem, the story, and a real bridge. Wonderful!
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Great, Jennie.
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🙂
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Wow. ❤️
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😊 Thanks, Cheryl.
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The JohnKu is absolutely splendid. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Hugs.
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How wonderful, John. Tugs at my heart. ❤️
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Mine too, Lauren.
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What a wonderful thing she has done for all!
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Yes she has. Thank you, Traci.
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Awh. That’s a nice way to help people heal from their grief.
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Yes it is.
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This is such a beautiful thing, John. Thank you so much for sharing it.
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I do wish we had one here. Thanks, Dale.
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Maybe you have to make it happen 😉
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Would be nice.
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😊
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That is a lovely heart felt JohnKu.
I like this story.
I have learned many valuable lessons about life and the value of love from my pets.
I miss them all. I wish…. I wish….
Anyway, thank you, dear John!
🐶✘🐱✘🐹✘🐰✘
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It is a great way to remember them. I miss mine as well.🐶X 🐱X 🐶X 🐱X
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🐂🐂🐂🐂
Lest we forget our pet OXen!
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🐂🐂🐂🐂 Okay I’m doing my part.
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A special place created by special people.
Thanks for sharing, Boss.
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My pleasure, Marc.
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