Who Is the Real Author of The Rainbow Bridge
This question is clouded in mystery, since the poem has been copied so many
times on the Internet as "author unknown," that it seems to have moved into the
area of public domain. There are at least three writers who lay claim to being
the original author, or to having written something remarkably similar to The
Rainbow Bridge, as we know it. The known contenders presently are:
Paul C. Dahm -
Last known to live in Lincoln City, OR Dahm is a grief counselor. He is said to
have written the poem in 1981, copyrighted it in 1994, and published it a book
titled "The Rainbow Bridge" in 1998.
William N. Britton -
Mr. Britton's book, Legend of Rainbow Bridge, copyright and published in 1994 ,
has lovely illustrations by Ron Dawson. Mr. Britton and his late wife were
co-founders of Companion Golden Retriever Rescue in West Jordan, Utah.
Dr. Wallace Sife -
Also a professional grief counselor, Dr. Sife heads the Association for Pet Loss
and Bereavement, and his version of the poem, titled, "All Pets Go to Heaven,"
appears on that organization's site. Dr.Fife's poem also is featured in his
book, The Loss of a Pet.
I have a belief that the Rainbow Bridge has always been there; it just took an
enlightened soul to discover it.
Our quest for the real author of The Rainbow Bridge may never be undeniably
resolved, but one true thing rings clear: This sweet story will continue to
bring peace and comfort to thousands of animal lovers through the ages to come.
And one-by-one we will some day be reunited with our loved pets that have gone
before.