Cyrus

Our Story

Cyrus came into our lives as a rescue, but somewhere along the way, he became so much more than our dog. He became family, our companion, and one of the greatest loves of my life.

For 14 years, Cyrus filled our home with his personality, his routines, his companionship, and simply his presence. Like all beloved companions, he became woven into the ordinary parts of life—the things you hardly notice until suddenly they aren't there anymore.

As Cyrus grew older, he developed health problems, and we did everything we could to care for him and give him a good life. Eventually, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go. Nothing really prepares you for the silence that follows. His absence seemed to be everywhere.

But grief has taught me something about love.

I once thought grief was simply the pain of losing someone we love. Now I understand it differently. Grief is ultimately love. It is love that still exists when the one we love is no longer physically beside us.

Cyrus's life and his loss became part of the inspiration behind the Rainbow Bridge Ministry. Through grieving him, I began to understand how important it is for people to have a place where the loss of a companion animal is recognized and where they can tell someone, “He mattered to me.”

Cyrus mattered.

He was loved deeply. He changed our lives. And although I would give almost anything to have more time with him, I would never trade away the years we had together simply to avoid the pain of losing him.

Before there was grief, there was love.
And the love is still here.

In loving memory of our sweet Cyrus.
Forever part of our family. Forever part of our story.

Don & Jo