Do ants, gnats, spiders and other small creatures go to the Rainbow Bridge or is it solely for slightly larger cute and furry species such as cats and dogs?

All creatures great and small....they all go there...it's like a Noah's Ark Meadow !! ;)

hang on a tick - pets wait in the meadow for their owners to turn up, then they cross the bridge together

who are the gnats waiting for?

Not centipedes though.

Centipedes deserve a hell of their own.

who are the gnats waiting for?

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Hehe... my thoughts exactly...

who are the gnats waiting for?

Their Mummy's and Daddy's !! ;)

Leeches and slugs too.... to hell with them!

hang on a tick - pets wait in the meadow for their owners to turn up, then they cross the bridge together

who are the gnats waiting for?

So it depends on someone caring about them then?

What about a person who had a passion for stick insects? Would they be waiting?

Or someone who had a much loved Giant African Land Snail?

It seems very partisan to me........

Id hate to see what was waiting at the end of the rainbow bridge for a tapeworm.

So it depends on someone caring about them then?

What about a person who had a passion for stick insects? Would they be waiting?

Or someone who had a much loved Giant African Land Snail?

It seems very partisan to me........

I once read something about the unwanted animals (actually aimed at dogs and cats) that were waiting at the Bridge and couldn't pass because their people never cared.

There were 'rescuers' who had dedicated their lives to helping animals and who, even after death still cared for these dogs and they could cross over the bridge with all of the unwanted ones.

I should try to find it...

In answer to your original troll (ahem, I mean question) I think it all depends on whether you believe they have a soul. If you believe people have no souls, then in your beliefs they can't go to heaven/hell, if you believe animals have no soul then in your beliefs they can't go to the bridge (because when they die they're dead - end of), and if you believe that invertebrates don't have souls then the pattern continues.

Personally I have never really thought about invertebrates at the bridge!

Id hate to see what was waiting at the end of the rainbow bridge for a tapeworm.

A great big drontal!!!!!

I once read something about the unwanted animals (actually aimed at dogs and cats) that were waiting at the Bridge and couldn't pass because their people never cared.

There were 'rescuers' who had dedicated their lives to helping animals and who, even after death still cared for these dogs and they could cross over the bridge with all of the unwanted ones.

I should try to find it...

In answer to your original troll (ahem, I mean question)
It was indeed a question, not a troll - an attempt to try and understand a belief that seems utterly alien to me.
I think it all depends on whether you believe they have a soul.
Well no, I don't - but if animals do have souls wouldn't it be reasonable to think that they all do?
If a cat has one, why not a hedgehog or a mouse? Or a frog or a beetle - where do you people who believe in this draw the line?
Do you truly believe it or is it just a comforting notion? I'm not trying to belittle the genuine grief that folks feel when they lose a much loved pet, I understand and respect that.

I once read something about the unwanted animals (actually aimed at dogs and cats) that were waiting at the Bridge and couldn't pass because their people never cared.

There were 'rescuers' who had dedicated their lives to helping animals and who, even after death still cared for these dogs and they could cross over the bridge with all of the unwanted ones.

I should try to find it...

In answer to your original troll (ahem, I mean question) I think it all depends on whether you believe they have a soul. If you believe people have no souls, then in your beliefs they can't go to heaven/hell, if you believe animals have no soul then in your beliefs they can't go to the bridge (because when they die they're dead - end of), and if you believe that invertebrates don't have souls then the pattern continues.

Personally I have never really thought about invertebrates at the bridge!

i found half a boot once in a pond...i just threw it in the bin, rather than burying it, as it didnt have a soul.....

I once read something about the unwanted animals (actually aimed at dogs and cats) that were waiting at the Bridge and couldn't pass because their people never cared.

There were 'rescuers' who had dedicated their lives to helping animals and who, even after death still cared for these dogs and they could cross over the bridge with all of the unwanted ones.

I should try to find it...

!

Seriously - It's not real!!

I find the concept of rainbow bridge far from comforting

if it exists, then I know damned well that my grandad is standing in that meadow surrounded by all the pets his family have had since, waiting for us all to cross together

there we go

damn

I still can't do that without tears

not comforting in the slightest :mad:

Seriously - It's not real!!

How do you know hmmm?

And anyway does it matter if it's real or not? its a perfectly harmless thing to believe and if it helps people to cope with the loss of a much loved pet that they just couldn't be without, then it's all good isn't it?

Some People believe that loved ones go to heaven where's the difference?

How do you know hmmm?

And anyway does it matter if it's real or not? its a perfectly harmless thing to believe and if it helps people to cope with the loss of a much loved pet that they just couldn't be without, then it's all good isn't it?

Some People believe that loved ones go to heaven where's the difference?

Heaven's not real either!!

Heaven's not real either!!

How do you know?

Anyway I think your either missing or deliberately ignoring my point :P

Seriously - It's not real!!

Sorry... where did I say it was?? :confused:

Sorry... where did I say it was?? :confused:

Hang on - I thought you believed in this?

If you don't is there anyone around that does?

So basically we`re discussing weather or not theres an afterlife...?

Id hate to see what was waiting at the end of the rainbow bridge for a tapeworm.

Trevor the tapeworm will be waiting for me now

Heaven is real! i saw my dad there wth all his family there in a dream and all my animals were there too , It was a comforting dream I have had many times and each time more of my family and animals are there!

It was indeed a question, not a troll - an attempt to try and understand a belief that seems utterly alien to me.

Well no, I don't - but if animals do have souls wouldn't it be reasonable to think that they all do?
If a cat has one, why not a hedgehog or a mouse? Or a frog or a beetle - where do you people who believe in this draw the line?
Do you truly believe it or is it just a comforting notion? I'm not trying to belittle the genuine grief that folks feel when they lose a much loved pet, I understand and respect that.

I agree - it would be reasonable to think they all do. But then, some people believe people have souls but not animals, so if that's ok, then it's fair to think that animals have souls but not invertebrates or something.. surely?

I don't know! Like I said, I've never really bothered to think about it, I don't think I really believe it - although it'd be nice to...

Hang on - I thought you believed in this?

If you don't is there anyone around that does?

I didn't say I didn't ;)

(Well I kind of did in my last post - but not when you posted)

Trevor the tapeworm will be waiting for me now

He`ll be in one HELL of a mood Too!

A great big drontal!!!!!

:hihi: love it!

He`ll be in one HELL of a mood Too!

well he travelled a long way he was african and took alot of getting out lol

I don't actually "believe" it, but it's a comforting thought, if that makes any sense.

www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html and will try to find the poem about the rescuers

NOT AN ANGEL
(Rescuer's Bridge II)

The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.

The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!"

The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path."

"But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told.

Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. As the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed its head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.

The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered.

"No, son," the older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a rescuer."

heres another
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.

But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again.

As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person, and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

"Watch, and see," said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed her towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.

"So does GOD", was the reply.

Someone said to me "Oh, there'll be no dogs in heaven".

my response?

"Well, in that case I don't want to go there, If my pets aren't going to be there to greet me!"

I can't imagine a heaven without our pets and the joy and love that they give to us.

I don't actually "believe" it, but it's a comforting thought, if that makes any sense.

Aye, it makes sense. There's not many things harder then losing a beloved pet, and this story has helped me through the death of lots of my pets. Whether you really believe in it or not, it's comforting.

Although I still can't manage to watch the animated version of rainbow bridge without ending up gasping and sobbing hysterically:)

oh even reading the poem makes me cry. The other ones also, like the one who's only crime is to have been born a staffie. Make me sob everytime, no matter how often i read them. I've had a couple of friends recently who've lost their beloved dogs, and both times I've printed off the rainbow bridge thing for them, and they've sobbed buckets, but also said it helped them.

Bleugh I'm welling up just thinking of it, especially as I lost Harry only a couple of weeks ago:cry:

Although, to be fair, I'm sure he aint missing me anywhere near as much as I am him, so long as he has plenty of foliage to keep his jaws busy:hihi:

A dear friend of mine sent me "Rainbow Bridge" when Kane passed a couple of weeks ago.

the Idea that my faithful old pal is waiting for me there comforts me.

Those always make me cry, especially when I count up how many pigs have passed through my door and into the hands of new loving owners in the past

Those always make me cry, especially when I count up how many pigs have passed through my door and into the hands of new loving owners in the past

Especially when I alone have lost two of your lovely pigs in the last year:(

Can't stop old age though :)

Shame :)