My little Bully passed away,
no more to breathe a sound.
I held him for the last time,
then entombed him in the ground.

Day and night I wept so much,
in tears I thought I’d drown.
I searched my soul for comfort,
but no peace therein was found.

In great despair, I hit my knees
and then began to pray.
“Father will I ever see,
my dog again someday?”

I raised my eyes and saw an angel
standing near a gate.
I sensed an inner peace
I’d never felt before that day.

The angel smiled and said to me,
“Oh man of little faith!
God sees every bird that falls;
He knows your Bully’s fate.

I have met your little dog,
I saw him pass my way.
Your precious dog is still alive;
he just walked through this gate.

Paradise is lovelier
than you can comprehend.
No pain or grief, no tears or fears,
and life will have no end.

God gave to man His only Son,
to cover all his sins.
So why would God withhold from you,
your pure and loving friend?”

The angel took me by the hand
and said, “Now come with me.
A glimpse of paradise I’ll give,
to you so you can see.”

Through the gate and o’er
the Rainbow Bridge we did proceed.
Through green valleys filled with flowers,
rolling hills and trees.

“Wow, so this is paradise!”
The place was filled with joy.
I saw my Bully playing there,
with dogs and cats and toys.

He also had some doggie treats,
and food that he enjoyed.
He’d made a lot of new friends there,
including girls and boys.

Then I saw a child come near,
and hug my little mate.
She said to him, “I love you so,”
and kissed him on the face.

The angel said, “The child just crossed
the Rainbow Bridge today.
Now she needs a little friend,
to love and help her play.

God’s love for her would be enough,
in that make no mistake.
But in His love, He knew full well,
the child would want a mate.

This is why God called your dog
unto this splendid place.
God’s entrusted her with him,
`til you pass through the gate.”

I pleaded, “May I hug them both?!”
The angel answered, “No!
You’d violate a sacred site,
and now it’s time to go.”

He led me back across the Bridge
and through the gate to home.
He left me there with new-found hope
and peace within my soul.

If someone ever asks
what happens to a dog that dies,
Just give a gentle smile of joy
and look them in the eye.

Take their hand and comfort them
and tell them not to cry.
For dogs don’t die,
they simply cross a bridge to paradise.

~ Dan Atcheson ~