More Than Words

I wish I had the perfect words to take away the pain, heartache, and confusion that come when we “lose” someone we love. I wish there was a simple way to ease the ache while still honoring the profound gifts of grieving, remembering, and reconnecting with those animals who have crossed into Spirit, what many call “over the Rainbow Bridge.”

But there are no magic words. And there are no quick fixes. So from both Ellie and me, I simply want to say:

We love you. Truly.

Thank you for choosing to walk this path of healing.

Thank you for your courage.

We’re here with you.

“Lost” and Found

I “lost” my mum when I was fourteen. And in 2024, I helped my six-month-old blue heeler pup, Ellie, cross the Rainbow Bridge. This book is born out of “losing” them… and finding them again.

This is my vulnerable journey through devastation, numbness, and dysfunction… into the healing magic that comes when we dare to face our pain and feel our loved ones again inside of us. When we grieve consciously and compassionately, everything changes. Life becomes deeper, richer, more real.

I still miss their bodies. But they are now more present with me than ever before. They are not lost. They have not gone. Yes, it’s a bold and brave step to take, to open ourselves to a reality that includes connection beyond what we can see. But for those of us who truly love animals, it’s almost inevitable. Because we are the humans who already believe in a love far greater than what most of the world sees.

As you dive into this book, just be open. And more than anything, have your own experience. Discover your own reality. Don’t believe me. Don’t take my word for it. Instead, explore the guided experiences at the end of each chapter and let yourself feel what’s true for you. That’s where the real magic lives, your own connection with your Rainbow Ones.

Beloved Animals, The Rainbow Bridge, and Rainbow Ones

Throughout this book, I use the term beloved animal to describe the animals we form deep, soulful connections with. You might have heard other terms, soulmate animal, heart dog, or fur baby, but for me, beloved animal feels the most true.

A beloved animal isn’t defined by the role they played in your life or by how long they were with you. They may have been your companion for years or someone you cared for only briefly. They may have lived in your home or on a farm you visited each day. What matters is the bond, not the label. A beloved animal is any animal whose presence touched your heart so deeply that love itself seemed to move through you more freely. They may have awakened something in you, tenderness, courage, compassion, or purpose.

When I use the phrase Rainbow Bridge, I do so with deep respect. Versions of the rainbow as a bridge between worlds appear in many cultures, from Norse and Indigenous teachings to modern spiritual and New Age traditions. Across them all, the rainbow represents connection between realms, unity, healing, and transformation. In The Blue Healer, I use it as a symbol of the unbreakable bond of love that continues between you and your beloved animal, a bridge of unconditional Love.

When a beloved animal passes, I refer to them as your Rainbow One. Some people believe their animals are waiting on or before the bridge, while others feel they’ve already crossed over. Those details aren’t important to me and this book. The truth that matters is this: they are still alive in energy form. They are still with you—in your heart, in your memories, and in the quiet moments when you connect with their presence.

As we’ll explore in this book, the connection we share with our beloved animals doesn’t depend on physical closeness. Sometimes we grieve animals we’ve never even met in person, because love and empathy transcend form and distance. The beloved bond exists beyond logic or ownership. It’s not about having a pet. It’s about recognizing the sacred relationship between your Soul and another living being, one that continues beyond the physical and in Spirit.