Now in its 12th year, the 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 the case with the death of a pet.

“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 to support each other and honor their beloved pets,” Rainbow Bridge Walk Founder Char Arthur says.

That someone was Char. She created the Rainbow Bridge Walk in 2011.

“The first Rainbow Bridge Walk took place with the help of some close friends. The event took off and this will be our 12th walk in September," Char says.

Since that first Rainbow Bridge Walk, Char partnered with former Medina Auditor Mike Kovack for many years. Now Char depends heavily on volunteers.

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 of pets and those in attendance, JoDee Coulter of Hospice of the Western Reserve sharing a reflection, The Rainbow Bridge poem being read and pet-themed music being played.”

Char says Lodi singer-songwriter Randi Vahl will perform 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. It’s a wonderful afternoon of support, camaraderie, and remembrance.”

The 2024 Rainbow Bridge Walk will take place on Sunday, September 15, at the Buckeye Woods Park pavilion, located at 6335 Wedgewood Road in Medina. Registration and remembrance activities begin at 12:15 p.m. with the program starting at 1 p.m. Online registration is encouraged.

“To keep this a free event, we are always looking for sponsorships 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 the 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.