Sometimes it's really hard to find the right gift for someone who has just lost a beloved pet. I had a few friends lose animals and wanted to help, so I created my Rainbow Bridge candle. "When tomorrow starts without me, don't think we are far apart. For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart" The Bifrost bridge was said to be a burning rainbow bridge that reaches between Midgard (Earth) and Asgard, the realm of the gods, it’s suggested the the Rainbow Bridge we associate with our pets is based on this and that Bilforst means 'shimmering path.' The love between humans and their animals spans centuries, the ancient Aztecs would euthanize their dogs so they could be buried with each other and reawaken in the afterlife together. Pets were very important to the ancient Egyptians and considered gifts from the gods to be cared for until their death when they were expected to be returned to the divine realm from which they had come. The ancient Egyptians kept animals as pets ranging from domesticated dogs and cats to baboons, monkeys, fish, gazelles, birds (especially falcons), lions, mongoose, and hippos. Their pets were often mummified in death. While the historian Herodotus said dogs and cats were such an important part of ancient Egyptian culture that if a dog died of natural causes, everyone in the house was obligated to shave their entire body, including the head. In life, their pets were well cared for and, at their death, were often mummified in the same way as people. However, the first documented companion dogs came from China and Tibet, with records dating back to around 3000 BC. The ancient Greeks used the dogs as guards, for hunting and for them they symbolised loyalty and companionship. The Romans also valued dogs and are represented in their art and literature. The first reference to a meadow in which pets await their owners can be found in the book Beautiful Joe’s Paradise by Margaret Marshall Saunders in 1902. The first appearance of the Rainbow Bridge in relation to animals is commonly believed to come from a poem by Paul C. Dahm, who was a grief counsellor in Oregon. He wrote the first Rainbow Bridge poem in prose style as seen below in 1981. However, in fact, it was Edna Clyne-Rekhy, who wrote it as a teenager in Scotland in 1959 to mourn the death of her dog Major. “Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...” Whilst my Rainbow Bridge candles say a little less than that, they have a sentiment that I truly believe in. These come in any scent you like, but the default scent is sandalwood. They are hand poured soy and also come boxed as a perfect gift. Every Rainbow Bridge candle sold will help https://www.saferehoming.com.au/ as I donate $2 from each one to them. I adopted the most beautiful, sweet cat from this organisation. They do wonderful work.
