The Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is about the relationship we have with our pets as often one of the closest bonds that we will form in our lives. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:10

This is Acoustic Avenue. I'm Ted Crout, your host, with co-producer Joel Little. On Acoustic Avenue, we recognize with respect and gratitude that these lands where we live, work, and play our music remain home to a number of indigenous nations and people. We acknowledge this land out of respect for the indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also known as North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Our relationship with our pets is often one of the closest bonds that we will form in our lives. They are as loved and cherished as any other member of the family. Sadly, the time they get to share with us is far too short, and just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge. The anonymous poem, The Rainbow Bridge, was written because when our pets leave, they leave a tolerance forever on our hearts. When a beloved pet dies that has been especially close to someone here, the rainbow bridge opens the gate to a magical place of meadows and hills where all of our special friends can run and play together. There's 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 for one small thing. 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. 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 where 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 and that beloved companion cross the rainbow bridge together. Today's show is about the joys of that relationship of unconditional love and friendship, the sorrow of the parting, and hopefully one day our eventual reunion. Our relationship with our animal friends is much more than companionship. It's a love that awakens a part of our very souls and teaches us essential values such as compassion, strength, and endurance despite all. In our first set, we will play two songs that describe that unconditional love between us and our parents. We'll play They Long to Be Closer to You by the Carpenters, and then from the album Inside I'm Singing, the Secret Garden will play The Things You Are To Me featuring Elaine and Page. And to start us off, representing the morning ritual that all of our friends have, of wanting us to get up, go outside to play, and enjoy the sheer happiness of being alive. The rascals perform a beautiful morning. Here are the rascals, the carpenters, and secret garden. It's a beautiful morning.

unknown 5:01

I think the full outside.

SPEAKER_09 5:27

Beautiful morning. Every time you are near just like me, they long to be close to you. Why do stars fall down from the sky every time you walk up just like me? Belong to thee owns to you. On the day that you were born, the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true. So this breakful moon just in your head goes starlighting your eyes blue. That is why all the girls can chance I love you all just like me. They love to be close to you. So it's pretty blue just in your head. That is why all the world is now following you all. Just like me, they long to thee. Close to you. Just like me, just like they love to be close to you.

SPEAKER_02 10:25

Close to you.

SPEAKER_09 11:41

Since time first began to be, still I could measure the amount of all the things you want to. If I could make the sky, hang it out to try. I would want the sky to be on such a grand time of all the things you want. You got a stop. But then you reach for me once again I see all the things you want to do.

SPEAKER_01 15:40

For many of us. From the album play Carol King's You've Got a Friend. We'll follow that with Dion Warwick and Friends. And that's what friends are for. And we'll close this set with I'll Be There by the Jacksons from the album of the same name. This is Carol King, Dion Warwick, and the Jacksons.

SPEAKER_03 16:44

When you're dead and troubled, and you need some love and care. And nothing. Nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me. And soon I will be there. You just fall out my name. And you know wherever I am. I'm trying to see you again. Winter, spring, summer of all. All you have to do is call and don't be there. You've got a friend. It's the sky of a few stuff and full of house. And that's all the wind begins to boast. And she must soon you hear me not in your door. You just see you again. All you have to do is call And be there. Yes, I wish you. Now ain't it good to know that you've got a friend when people can be so false? They'll hurt you, yes, and desert you take your son if you let them. Oh, but don't you just you just call out my name and you know wherever I am. I'll come running, running, yeah, yes, yeah, to see you again. Winter, spring, summer, offs. All you have to do is cross And stop be there yes I wish you've got a friend. You've got a friend, ain't it good enough? You've got a friend, ain't it good enough, ain't it good enough, ain't it good enough, you've got a friend, oh yeah, you've got a friend, yeah, baby, but you've got a friend. Oh yeah, you've got a friend.

SPEAKER_10 22:01

And as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad I got the chance to say that I do believe I love you, and if I should ever go away, well then close your eyes and try, feel the way we do today. And then if you can remember, keep smiling, keep shining, knowing you can always count on me. For good times and bad times, I'll be on your side forever.

SPEAKER_08 23:02

That's what friends are for Well, you came and opened me, and now there's so much more I see. And so by the way, I thank you. Oh, and then for the times when we are home. Well then close your eyes and know the words are coming from our home. And then if you can remember Keep smiling, keep shining, knowing you can always come on me. For sure. That's what friends are for In good times. In bad times, I'll be on your side for everyone.

SPEAKER_09 24:13

Oh, that's what friends are for Keep Stanley. Oh, you can always count me. That's what friends are good times. And bad times I'll be on your side. That's what friends of love. We must bring salvation back where there is love. I'll be there. I'll reach out my hand. How happy? Just call my name.

SPEAKER_01 29:53

One of the greatest pains that we will ever endure.

SPEAKER_09 31:59

Save my sleep. What can you see? All the white girls call across the sea up the moon rises to carry you home. Just sleep. What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white girls call across the sea up the moon rises? The ships have come to carry you home to save the gullen.

SPEAKER_11 35:41

I see you. I believe that the heart does go small you open the door until he rin my heart and my heart will go and love and touch us one time and last for life time, and never let go till when gone love was when I loved you one true time I hold you in my life with long ways.

SPEAKER_05 42:01

And then the time will come and all the white and stone. The time you return by my hearing stray to my wedding arm. I will wait for you beside me, till I'm touching you more sharing.

SPEAKER_01 45:18

And we will end the show with Rod Stewart from the album The Great American Songbook. And the song They Can't Take That Away From Me. This is Jimmy Scott, Boys to Men with Mariah Carey, Glenn Campbell, and Rod Stewart.

SPEAKER_04 45:38

There once was a man, so an old story goes. Went to the station every day, rain or snow. His faithful dog would walk right by his side and sit there and wait till he came home at night. And when the man died, the dog still would go to the station each day. Why no one knows? He was waiting for someone he loved. Waiting for someone he loves. Someone he believed in, someone he could trust. Day after day, waiting for someone he loves Days turn to weeks, and months turn to years. Trains came and went, but the dog still appears. Open to see that face he adores. His old true compass The one he lived for. And then came the night when the dog finally died. Now I know he's still on by his master's eyes. Waiting for someone he loves. Someone he believed in, someone he could trust. Don't you think humans could learn from that task? Now I don't know about all of you. But I wish that my heart was so true. To think he could miss him that much. He spent all his life waiting for someone he loved. Waiting for someone he loved.

SPEAKER_09 49:24

When I just must feel no one It keeps me alone. But I always get to the United States.

SPEAKER_00 53:25

They're a gift from beloved God. And they're precious beyond human valuation. But you dare not take them for granted. Or they'll drift away like smoke, and the warmth of their caring will vanish like the chill of the endless nights. Most of my friends are unknowns. They probably won't rate an obituarium unless they live and die in small towns where nothing much ever happens. But a few of my friends are big people. They've made the world ring with laughter, down to its gaseous burning core. They're famous, sensitive, talented, and their names are household words. Yet they are no more precious in God's eyes or in mine than those wonderful nobodies who live and die in small towns. Who is your friend? He's someone who warms you with a knot or with the unspoken word in hard times when you're hurting beyond words. Who is your friend? She's someone who holds you to her breast and sighs softly into your hair. When no other medicine can stop the pain. A friend is someone who cleans his glass against yours. Or answers the phone at three in the morning when you're lost. And with a few words of encouragement and concern makes you realize you aren't really lost at all. Friends come in both sexes and in all shapes and sizes. The most important thing to have in common is the ability to share with you your most sky-splitting joys, are your deepest, most awesome sorrows. For they are your friends.

SPEAKER_01 57:32

Stay safe and love the ones you're with. Peace. Cook's job.