Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called 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 that they miss the people who were very special to them.
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....
 ClaryClary was a sweet senior girl who came into foster care after her person died. She spent time in 2 ACDRA foster homes and stole the hearts of all she met. After being in foster care for several months, she was diagnosed with liver cancer. Unfortunately, it metastasized to other organs fairly quickly. Even so, she lived several months as a sweet and happy girl. When the pain became too much, she was helped across the rainbow bridge by her foster mom and the vet who treated and loved her. |  MaggieMaggie, a senior dog, came to me as a foster through the wonderful ACDRA organization. After having her for one month, I knew I couldn't give her up and I adopted her. She was the perfect dog. She never left my side, fit in great with my pack, and was friendly to all. I am so sad to say I only had the pleasure of her company for 1-1/2 years. Her kidneys stopped working and she crossed the rainbow bridge February 23, 2015. I miss her so much but treasure the time I had with her. |  Cohutta 1/17/2011- 7/9/2014Love lives on forever...ACDRA is more than an organization, we are a family, woven together with love to help dogs in need. Like so many we meet, "Cohutta" was a purebred Cattle Dog surrendered to a crowded NC shelter. This beautiful dog was a must save and touched so many lives. This dynamic boy was adopted by his foster home, offering them joy, love and laughs before he passed away from a brain tumor 5 months after he joined their family. May he rest in peace, knowing how loved he was. |
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 Sallie MaeSallie Mae blessed our family for 2-1/2 years. It was a joy to teach her tricks and commands as her extreme intelligence allowed her to quickly master everything I challenged her to do. She was diagnosed with lymphoma and was given two months to live in November, 2012. The Spunky Girl made it well beyond expectations, crossing over the Rainbow Bridge on July 12, 2013. We choose to remember her like the very first day we saw her, sitting on a curb, when we decided to adopt her. |  CalvinCalvin the wonderful Australian Cattle Dog, passed away on1/29/13. He was probably 16 years old, maybe older. He came to us in 2003 after being picked up as a stray. He could do everything but hear. He loved greeting his neighbors, snuffing after the occasional vole out in the woods, wading in the Little River and drinking his fill, sitting on his front porch and watching the sun go down, a ride to the dump, reading the peemail at the dog park, hikes on any trails, a good head petting. |  AudreyAudrey was a sweet 1 year old who was calm and obedient despite never having had formal training. She was friendly with other dogs and she won the hearts of the people who worked where she was living -- in a shelter. After undergoing her spay procedure Audrey unexpectedly died from complications. She is mourned by her loving advocate, Ellen, who was working diligently to find her a forever home. |
 RockyRocky was a handsome, happy and well-adjusted dog. He was just days away from being saved when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. A volunteer with ACDRA was going to foster him. Then we learned the shelter had an outbreak of canine distemper, a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. The shelter went into lock down and attempted to keep the healthy dogs separate from the sick. Unfortunately, Rocky began to show signs of distemper and was humanely euthanized on April 2, 2012. |  RustyRusty was taken to a shelter after being found bleeding in a field. He made it through 2 rounds of kennel cough while at the shelter – often a death sentence for older dogs. At the ripe age of 9, Rusty became an ACDRA foster dog. After 4 months in foster care, Rusty was adopted by a couple in Virginia where he lived very happily on their acres of rolling hills for a year and a half. Rusty crossed the Rainbow Bridge peacefully on March 14, 2012. He is missed by all who knew and loved him. |