When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone else, that pet goes to a place called The 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 where our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who have been ill or old, are restored to health and vigor. Those who are hurt or maimed are made whole and strong once again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and happy times gone by. The animals are happy and content except for one small thing... they each miss somone very special to them who has to be left behind.

They all run and play together but the day comes when one of them suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are looking, his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass faster and faster.

You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in a joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rein upon you face, your hand again carress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusted eyes of your beloved pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from you heart.

Then you cross The Rainbow Bridge together...

Chocolate was the first dog I'd raised from cradle to grave. I had had other dogs before him, but what I had with my Chocolate was different. He came into my life after my husband died so I somehow imagined he had come into my life to watch over me. Intensely challenging to raise a puppy who was fear aggressive from an early age, and overly protective of me all the time, Chocolate forced me to become a more patient, compassionate person, to work with him and his issues but to also accept him for who he was. He was my baby, and I was his mom. He saw me through some very difficult and tumultuous times, and he was a constant, steady presence in my life, always there to lick away my tears. I adored him, and in return he gave me his undying loyalty and devotion. He loved burrito's, cheese, and most of all his toys. He was our best friend and he made us all smile every day. He made our bad days into good days, made our good days into great days and was my hero and protector throughout the twelve years he was our's. Never would I have thought that I would have been so lucky to have a dog like him in my life to grow old with during my senior years.

As a baby I put him right next to me in my bed to sleep with and that never changed throughout all the years. There is nothing wrong with me other than I miss Chocolate desperately. If you loved your pet then you know the heartbreak that comes from their passing. Especially about the part, no, every part, sounding exactly like my Chocolate and exactly how I feel. I seriously keep thinking there is some way that I will be able to see him again...like my brain cannot make the final thought that he is gone forever. I find myself staring off into space trying to figure out a way to bring him back or turn back time - some "Back to the Future" stuff, like I would be able to do it. I feel like I am going completely crazy and I just cry every single moment and have seriously felt, that I can't go on, it's like I want to die so I could be with him again but my heart knows that's wrong because my girls need me so I will go on without my Chocolate boy.

It is the weirdest feeling because I have been around pets that died before but I have never suffered as much hurt as I feel right now. I know as the days pass, I won't feel as much sadness, but I will never forget him and I will never stop wishing he was back with me. I miss him almost like I miss my son Frank Jr, who died when he was 21 years old. I prayed and asked God to please let him into heaven and hopefully be with my son and other pets who had passed before him. I talk out loud and asked my son Jr, along with his dogs who passed, to please meet him and walk with him to the other side so he wouldn't be alone. I feel a lot of guilt because I had to make the decision to put him to sleep but then he was gone before they could even euthanize him.

You see Chocolate had a bad heart and suffered from epilepsy so I felt like he was suffering each day just to live. He was so strong when he was young and healthy. I was so devastated after he died and I think about him all of the time so all I can do now is never let his memory fade away and to hopefully see him in heaven again when I pass away. My Chocolate was so very special and meant more than just being a pet... My dog was part of our family and we loved him, so feeling the way I feel is normal for those of us that truly loved our dog (pet) with all of our heart. Chocolate, I thank you for your unconditional love, for helping me though the loss of my Frank, and for being such a huge part of our family. Do I wish that I could have had more time with you? I wish it with all my heart my precious Boy...