For some people, losing a pet is tantamount to losing a member of the family, and great things have been done in the name of love and loss. One of those things, borne out of the passing of a beloved pet, is the construction of Union County’s very own Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial.
There are several such like it around the world, inspired by the prose of Edna Clyne-Rekhy that describes the place where pets find themselves after they die. “Just this side of Heaven” is a peaceful meadow where animals frolic, returned hale and whole. When a human dies, their pets meet them at the prismatic rainbow bridge, and together, they cross and walk into Heaven.
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It was this thought that gave reassurance to Scott Anna in the wake of the passing of his dog Kodi. The pup came into his life in 2018, providing another chance at love and healing following the death of Kodi’s predecessor, Gollum.
Kodi left light and love in his curly-tailed wake, and not only healed the hearts of his people, but was a comfort to fellow canine Delilah, who joined the family in 2020 after losing her previous owner. Kodi and Delilah were inseparable, and their joint howling sessions remain a fond memory to all who knew them.
On Sept. 1 of this year, Kodi was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma after a tumor burst on one of the main arteries of his heart and flooded his lungs. The heartbreaking decision was made to send him humanely to the hereafter.
Just as Clyne-Rekhy was inspired to write about the original rainbow bridge following the death of her dog Major, Anna used his grief to fuel a passion project in Kodi’s name. The community came together to help fund a local rainbow bridge after Anna posed the idea on Facebook. With time, labor and a little help from his friends, he made the dream a reality.
Organized by the Mountain Shelter Humane Society, a rock painting party offered another chance for the community to pitch in and help. LuAnn Head donated a literal ton of rocks, and Anna recalls that about 60 people showed up to help paint them in a spectrum of colors and decorate them in reverence for their own pets that have gone on from this life.
Just as he built the bridge entirely himself, Anna placed all the stones around it, ensuring that the rainbow stretched not just across the wooden slats, but around the bridge in a bright rock garden. Statues of a boy holding his dog and a girl cradling her cat signify a connection to humans.
That bond was evident throughout the whole process; the ripple effect from Kodi’s death sparked a surge of empathy from those who knew similar pain. Many of the people who contributed funds or painted rocks were present at the Oct. 18 dedication, with several bringing their pets along for the ride. Delilah herself was there and made many new friends.
“I cannot thank the people from this county – and everywhere else – for all that they have done for this project. When I put out the information about it, it was amazing what people (had) done,” an emotional Anna said, thanking also Sid and Laura Dyer, owners of Maters Taters and More, for housing the bridge on their land.
There are already other animals honored at the bridge. Rocks for Bill and Manchita and so many others are there, and a harness for Akaiya. One day, there may even be some leashes and collars lining the hooks set out for that very purpose.
But Karrie Leyritz shared plans to go a step further by returning to bring some of her dog’s ashes to the site. On Sept. 30, she lost 12-year-old Cujo to cancer. Having heard about the construction of the Rainbow Bridge days after his death, she decided to attend the dedication and came prepared with her own rocks bearing his name.
“He was my protector,” Leyritz admitted through tears, remembering a companion that was often feared by strangers because of his size and name. As a single woman living alone, she felt safer with his presence, as he always alerted her to people coming near the property. Beneath his bark, he had the heart of a gentle giant and loved belly rubs and dismantling squeaky toys.
“It gives me a place to go to visit him, and I love the idea that he isn’t alone. He’s with so many other souls,” Leyritz said following the dedication. “That ceremony gave me a sense of closure, and sharing that pain with others helped make my grief a bit lighter.”
Guests are welcome to come to the Rainbow Bridge at any time when they are in need of quiet contemplation. There are benches present for extended reflection, and Anna hopes to install a “book bark box” near the entrance that will contain returnable or free books on grief or memoirs about precious pets.
Visit the Rainbow Bridge in person at 2551 Town Creek School Road, or consider joining the Kodi and Friends Rainbow Bridge in Union County Georgia Facebook page for a digital space to share pet memorials.
