08/30/2026
For 64 years, no one knew who wrote the beloved “Rainbow Bridge” poem that has comforted countless grieving pet parents. Then after 64 years, the woman behind it was finally been found.
Arizona art historian and author Paul Koudounaris spent years trying to uncover the poem’s origins. His search eventually led him to Edna Clyne-Rekhy, a Scottish woman who wrote the poem when she was just 19 years old.
Clyne-Rekhy wrote “Rainbow Bridge” in 1959 after the death of her beloved Labrador Retriever, Major. She was devastated by the loss and turned to her mother for comfort. Her mother suggested that she write down how she was feeling.
Clyne-Rekhy followed her advice and began writing. The first words that came to her were, “Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.” From there, she says, the rest of the poem simply poured out.
“He died in my arms, actually,” she told National Geographic. “I dearly loved him.”
She never intended for the poem to become famous. To her, it was simply a private expression of grief. She typed a few copies for friends, who shared them with others. Eventually, one copy made its way to the United States and was published in Dear Abby’s column in 1994, reaching an estimated 100 million readers. By then, however, Clyne-Rekhy’s name had disappeared from the poem.
As the poem spread through the growing internet, its origins became increasingly uncertain. Different versions appeared, and the U.S. Copyright Office eventually received 15 separate claims of authorship.
But the words continued to mean something deeply personal to millions of people who had lost beloved animals.
Clyne-Rekhy, 82 when she was found, still has the original piece of paper on which she wrote the poem more than six decades ago. She says she is amazed that something she wrote while grieving the loss of her own dog went on to bring comfort to so many others.
“I’m absolutely stunned,” she told National Geographic. “I’m still in a state of shock.”
Perhaps that is what makes the story so touching. The words that have helped generations of people imagine seeing their beloved pets again began with one young woman simply trying to make sense of losing her best friend.
Whatever someone believes about what comes after this life, the hope at the heart of “Rainbow Bridge” has offered comfort to countless grieving pet lovers: that perhaps the bond we share with our animals is strong enough that saying goodbye isn't necessarily forever. ❤️🐾
Sources: The Order of The Good Death, National Geographic
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