當寵物辭世之後，不論歐美還是日本，經常會在社群網站或訃聞上看到以「跨越彩虹橋（crosses the rainbow bridge）」來形容寵物辭世這件事。
為什麼「彩虹橋」成為弔念已故寵物的象徵？
《國家地理》雜誌於2023年2月22日由Rachel Nuwer所發表的文章表示，根據考究和確認，《彩虹橋（Rainbow Bridge）》是Edna Clyne-Rekhy在1959年於蘇格蘭為了弔念她的第一隻愛犬Major逝世所寫下的詩，當時她曾將詩句印製成副本送給親友，親友受詩句感動又將其轉發出去。
至於「彩虹橋」作為弔念寵物辭世的概念廣泛流傳則始於1994年2月，當時一位讀者將未註明出處和作者的《彩虹橋》副本寄給了美國的報紙專欄《Dear Abby》，經由專欄的出版使得該詩變得廣為人知，成為弔念寵物逝世的象徵。
而彩虹橋與死後世界的連結，並非近代才出現的概念，可以追溯至遠古時期的信仰，譬如北歐神話的Bilröst，臺灣原住民泰雅族、太魯閣族、賽德克族的神話傳說的Honug utux、Hakaw utux、Hako utux。
《Rainbow Bridge（彩虹橋）》全文如下：
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
天堂的彼端，有個叫做彩虹橋的地方。When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to 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.
人們至親的動物朋友離世之後，將會前往彩虹橋。那裡有草地和山丘，供我們親愛的朋友們共同奔跑與玩耍。那裡有充足的食物、淨水和陽光，使我們的朋友溫暖和舒適。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 for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
所有生病和年邁的動物都恢復健康與活力；傷殘的動物也變得完整和健壯，就像我們夢中回憶裡的他們；就像我們記憶中往昔時光的他們。動物們都感到快樂和滿足，除了一件掛心的小事；他們都思念著某位對他們而言非常特別卻不得不留在身後的人。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.
他們一起奔跑，一同玩耍，直到有一天，他們其中之一突然停下來凝望遠處。他那明亮的雙眼目不轉睛地注視著遠方；他的身軀因熱切期盼而激動顫抖。霎時間，他飛奔而去，在青翠的草地上奔馳，愈跑愈快。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.
他發現了你，你終於和你那特別的朋友相遇，你們在重逢的喜悅中緊緊相擁，再也不分離。幸福之吻如雨點般灑落在你的臉上；你再次為深愛的他摸摸頭，你凝視著那雙充滿信任的眼眸，他離開你的生活如此之久，但他在你的心中從未缺席。Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
然後，你們一起跨越彩虹橋……– Edna Clyne-Rekhy
參考資料：
- Nuwer, Rachel. The ‘Rainbow Bridge’ has comforted millions of pet parents. Who wrote it?. National Geographic. Published February 22, 2023. Accessed November 6, 2023. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/rainbow-bridge-poem-pet-death-mourning-origin-revealed
- Wikipedia contributors. Rainbow Bridge (pets). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. October 13, 2023, 22:05 UTC. Accessed November 6, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rainbow_Bridge_(pets)&oldid=1180008625
