PAWS "Rainbow Bridge" Memorial Garden
The bond between person and pet is like no other. All animal lovers can attest to that. We've been working on a special project for over a year now that recognizes just that bond. In partnership with the incredibly creative 2022 5th grade class at Hudson PEP Elementary, students and LACAC staff worked together over an entire school year to explore the impact pets make on our lives. Students decided their class project would be to create a lasting green space where loved ones could pay tribute to their pets. They created plans for a garden that centered around building an actual "Rainbow Bridge" out of personalized memorial stones. Plans included a living space that will grow and thrive around the Bridge and provide a reflective spot for owners to visit and and remember their loved ones. Hudson Pep students raised $4000 for PAWS to create our Garden space, build a sample bridge, install plantings, benches and signage. Our "Rainbow Bridge" project has finally come to life. Our beautiful plantings and shrubs (graciously donated by The Home and Garden Center) have survived the summer and we are now ready to build our personalized Bridge at the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center.
Consider supporting our PAWS "Rainbow Bridge" Memorial Garden by creating a personalized 12x12 Memorial Paver (sample paver here) that will forever signify the incredible impact your pet made every day and still after they're gone. For a $100 donation, you're able to leave a message for your pet that truly symbolizes and recognizes the legacy they've left behind. This keepsake will have a lasting impact for you, your family and your community.
What a wonderful way to remember our 4-legged family members now and forever. Create a paver for your pet or give the gift of a paver to someone special. All Pavers are easily personalized and ordered on our safe on-line donation site- http://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/longviewpaws
(build time is 4-6 weeks for engraving, shipping/delivery. you will be notified via email once your paver is planted in our Garden.) As always, all donations to PAWS go towards enriching the lives of our shelter animals and all the animals in our Gregg County community.
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*The Rainbow Bridge Poem*
“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….” — Author unknown |