Now in its 11th year, Rainbow Bridge Walk gives pet owners who’ve experienced the loss of a furry family member the opportunity to pay tribute

By Mary Malik

Anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved pet knows how devastating it can be. The mourning process for a human loved one usually involves an organized ritual, including gatherings to remember and say goodbye. Unfortunately, this isn’t often the case with the death of a pet.

“After I lost my Bichon, Pallino, I was having a difficult time getting in touch with the feelings I had for him. It was a strange numbness,” Char Arthur, founder of Rainbow Bridge Walk, says. “After attending a walk to support a friend whose loved one suffered from Alzheimer’s, I thought someone should provide a walk for pet owners where they can express their grief in a meaningful way.”

That someone was Char. She created the Rainbow Bridge Walk in 2011 to give people a real way to honor their beloved pets.

“After seeing a photo of a barn with a rainbow overhead, I saw this as a sign to move forward with the idea,” Char says. “The first Rainbow Bridge Walk took place with the help of some close friends. The event took off and this will be our 11th walk in September.”

Since that first Rainbow Bridge Walk, Char has partnered with local businesses, Medina Auditor Mike Kovack, and many volunteers who help make this event happen each year.

“I rely on all of these people to keep the Rainbow Bridge Walk going,” Char says.

Walk activities include written messages to lost pets, which are hung together on a string, drawings of pets the children in attendance create, and names written on ribbons joined together to form a wreath.

“People gather, mingle and share stories about their pets,” Char says. “The day begins with a blessing by a local clergy member, a local Medina Hospice member sharing a reflection, The Rainbow Bridge poem being read and music is played.”

Char says Lodi songwriter Randi Vahl performs her comforting song, “Colors Fill the Sky.”

“Walkers are then led over the bridge where the messages and wreaths have been posted.” Char says. “There is a short walk and then it’s back to the pavilion for refreshments and the final activity of blowing bubbles up to our pets. It’s a wonderful afternoon of support, camaraderie, and remembrance.”

The 2023 Rainbow Bridge Walk will take place on Sunday, September 17, at Buckeye Woods Park pavilion, 6335 Wedgewood Rd., in Medina. Registration begins at 12:15 p.m. and pre-registration is encouraged and available online.

“To keep this a free event, we are always looking for sponsorship from local businesses,” Char says. “Sponsors receive a program listing, links on our website and Facebook page and more. So many people experience the loss of a pet. This is a nice way for businesses to pay tribute to their own.”

And your loss doesn’t have to be recent. Many attend to honor a childhood pet. Char’s goal for Rainbow Bridge Walk is always for people to see that they are not alone.

Here are some comments from Rainbow Bridge Walk attendees:

“My spouse and I found it to be a very healing experience. We appreciated being with so many others experiencing similar feelings and emotions for the loss of the beautiful little souls we were graced to have in our lives,” one said.

“It was great to just be around people who understand and feel as deeply as I do,” another added.

For more information, to pre-register, and submit an online tribute visit the website RainbowBridgeWalk.com. For sponsorships and donations check the Information page on the website.