にじのはし [訳文]

天国へ行く途中に『虹の橋』と呼ばれるところがあります。

私達と深く関わり生きてきた友は　命を終えると虹の橋へ行きます。
そこには草原や丘があり　仲間達と駆け回って遊ぶことができます。
たくさんの食べ物も水もあり　日の光につつまれた暖かく心地良いところです。
病気だったり年老いた者達それぞれが元気を取り戻し
身体が不自由だった者達も元のように力強く…
過ぎ去った日々を夢の中で思い出すような　かつての元気な姿になって。

彼等は幸せに満ち足りた時を過ごします。
ただひとつのことを除いて…
それは特別な誰かが恋しいこと…とても大切な人を残して来たということ…

仲間と楽しく暮す時が流れ 　いつかすべてを止めて　遠くを見つめる日が訪れます。
その瞳は輝きを増し　身体は喜びに震え　そして　突然仲間の元を離れて
緑の草原の上を飛んでいるかのような速さで駆け抜けていきます。

ついにあなたは最愛の友と喜びの再会をするのです。
もう2度と離れ離れになることはありません。
幸せのキスがあなたの顔に降り注ぎ　あなたの手は再び愛しい頭を優しく撫でるのです。
時が長らく過ぎても　心からは決していなくなることのなかった
信頼に溢れた友の瞳を　もう一度見つめることができたのです。

そして　一緒に虹の橋を渡るのです...

Rainbow Bridge [原文]

"Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

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 and 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 for one small thing:
they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to break away 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..."

Author unknown 作者不詳

Rainbow Bridge

On the way to the Heaven, there is a place called "Rainbow Bridge."

Our close furry friends go to this Rainbow Bridge after completing their
lives in our side of the world. There are beautiful meadows and hills
where they run and play with their friends.  This is a wonderful place
with lots of sunshine and plenty food and water.  Sick and old ones
become young and healthy again in this place.  They are rejuvenated.

Everyone here is filled with happiness including you. They spend
absolutely perfect time over there except one thing - they left their love ones behind.

Wonderful time with your friends passes by.
Someday, you will drop everything that you're doing and focus on
something far away. Your eyes are shinier than ever and your body is
shaking from tremendous happiness.  You leave your friends and start
running as fast as you can. You are almost flying over the beautiful green field.

Time has come! You're reunited with your love one.
You will never been separated from her again.
A lot of kisses and gentle hands with familiar smell.
You are, once again, able to look into the eyes of your love one - your best friend.

Finally, we cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

...by Yuriko Yamasaki