First 'Over the Rainbow Bridge' in Connecticut Opens and It's Already Touching Hearts

Connecticut has opened a beautiful "over the rainbow bridge," giving pet parents a quiet and scenic place to remember their beloved pets who are no longer here.

On September 3, 2024, Instagram user Travel Gram with Laura B (@travelgramwithlaurab) shared a video of a new bridge that opened in Connecticut that honors grieving pet parents. Take a look!

"Inspired by the poem ' Over the Bridge ,' Torrington resident Karen Rakyta-Bozak had a vision for a place people who lost their beloved pets could go and have a quiet place to remember them," the caption of the post explained.

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Karen lost her beloved pet, Lily, a 12-year-old Boxer who she says was "the sweetest dog ever," and called her pup her "soul dog."

In her grief, Karen thought about all the other pet parents who are grieving and navigating life without their fur baby, and she was inspired to do something.

Karen, the poem "The Rainbow Bridge" "is all about when a pet leaves us - they go over the Rainbow Bridge to Heaven where they run free. They will be there for us when it is our time," the Instagram caption explains.

After coming across the poem and learning about an actual Over the Rainbow bridge in North Carolina, Karen proposed her idea to the board and mayor of Torrington, Connecticut, and her project was approved.

Then, with the help of two boys from a local Scout troop, they brought Karent's vision to life.

"They helped raise money and donated over 600 hours to build the bridge and trail," the social share explained. "This earned each an Eagle Scout Badge and gave Karen and everyone in Connecticut a place to remember and celebrate their pet."

The beautifully painted Rainbow Bridge is now open to everyone. "Karen and Doug hope grieving pet owners from all over the state and region will come out and leave a memento of their loved one in this loving memorial."

How to Ease Grief After Losing a Pet

The loss of a pet can be truly devastating, and the grief that you feel is very real and valid. They were a much-loved member of the family, and not having them in our daily lives when they pass on can be really painful to adjust to.

According to The Humane Society of the United States, you can do a few things to ease your grief, and that starts with acknowledging your feelings.

The experts suggest acknowledging your grief and giving yourself permission to express it. Allow yourself to cry. If you live alone, the silence in your home might feel deafening, but acknowledging it will allow you to prepare for the emotions you might feel. Suppressing your feelings of sadness can prolong your grief."

Other things you can do are reach out to friends, family, or professionals who can help support you. You can also find local bereavement groups where you can all lean on each other to get through the hard, painful moments we can feel deeply stuck in when we're early in the grieving process.

Memorializing your pet through a bereavement ritual can provide some comfort, whether that be spreading ashes, hosting a gathering of loved ones, planting a shrub or tree, or, if your town has one, visiting the Rainbow Bridge when you need to feel close to your pet.