Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good news

~ John W. Howell
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

By Rebecca Smith
LAKE LURE, N.C. —It’s a very special place hidden in a North Carolina mountain that promises grieving pet owners they’ll never be apart from their beloved furry family members.

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.

74 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good news”

  9. 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. 😊❤️

    Liked by 1 person

      1. 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. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  14. 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…😺

    Liked by 1 person

  16. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. 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!
    🐶✘🐱✘🐹✘🐰✘

    Liked by 1 person

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