If you’ve ever loved a pet, you know the heartache of saying goodbye. But one story has touched millions worldwide — the story of Edna Clyne-Rekhy and her first dog, a Labrador Retriever named Major.

🐾 Major: A Truly Special Friend

In 1959, at just 19 years old in Inverness, Scotland, Edna lost Major — the first dog she had ever raised on her own.

Major was more than a dog. Edna recalled: Sometimes I would just sit and talk to him, and I felt like he understood every word I said.

Her mother often asked how she trained Major to be so gentle and obedient. Edna just laughed — she never trained him. Their bond was natural, a connection that went beyond words.

When Major passed away, Edna felt an overwhelming urge to write. With no plan or preparation, she took a piece of paper and began pouring her heart onto it. And then she gave it a name: “The Rainbow Bridge” 🌈.

✨ The Rainbow Bridge: Where Love Never Dies

Edna imagined the Rainbow Bridge as a kind of limbo, where pets who have passed return to their healthiest, most joyful forms, waiting to be reunited with their human companions.

It wasn’t heaven yet — it was a waystation, a place where souls awaited their beloved humans to cross together into eternal paradise, never to be separated again.

The Rainbow Bridge became a source of immense comfort, especially for those in Western cultures where many believed animals lacked souls. Thanks to Edna, millions of hearts found hope. 💖

📝 The Journey of the Words

Originally, The Rainbow Bridge existed only as a handwritten note, shared with a few close family members. Over time, it spread anonymously. In 1994, Dear Abby published it, reaching millions of readers in the U.S.

Although the author remained unknown, the text became the most influential pet-loss literature ever written, appearing on condolence cards, gravestones, and memorial services for pets.

🐶 Edna Today

At 82, Edna still cares for her dogs: Zanussi, a rescued Andalusian Podenco from Spain, and Missy, a meticulous little Bichon Frisé. She keeps the original handwritten Rainbow Bridge in an attic box labeled:

“If you can’t find it, it’s here.”

Even after 63 years, the emotional power of those words remains strong for her. She believes:

“If you love a dog, truly love it, it will always live on.”

💌 A Message for Grieving Hearts

Edna encourages anyone mourning a pet to welcome another animal into their life. No new pet can replace the old one, but the love and connection can still be special and meaningful.

The Rainbow Bridge isn’t just about loss. It’s about hope, love, and the everlasting bond between humans and pets. It reminds us that, wherever they are, the memory and love for our pets will live on in our hearts. 🌈🐾💖

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