Everyone Loves This Heartwarming Rainbow Bridge Book!

When a furry friend crosses the rainbow bridge, it’s heartbreaking. But when you’re a child, it’s confusing and heartbreaking.

Is there a way to effectively explain to a child what has happened to their furry friend? I recently read a book that does just this in a kind and heartfelt way. Surprisingly, it’s not a sad story. Yet, it does a terrific job explaining to children what has happened to their best friend.

I’m honored to say this book was written by my friend and award-winning author, Dorothy Wills-Raftery, along with her grandson, Cody. Their book “Wolfie, What Is The Rainbow Bridge?“ is a very touching way to handle a difficult topic for children. So, today, I’m delighted to host a chat with Dorothy about and get some insights into the process and thoughts behind this book. So, grab a cup of something refreshing, and get ready to be enlightened in this conversation. No need to worry, no animals cross the rainbow bridge in this book.

📌 PIN FOR LATER!

NOTE: Full disclosure. Dorothy sent me a copy of her book to review so I could host this chat. But rest assured, if I didn’t find this book of value for my readers, I would never place it on my website. Also, while I did receive a free copy, I am not receiving any affiliate compensation or other payment. One last confession, as a former teacher, I was eager to read this book. Explaining some topics to children takes a gentle hand, and this book is certainly written in a loving and gentle voice.

Budget tip:
You may not think that helping a child understand the rainbow bridge makes any impact on your wallet. Grief is a difficult emotion, even for adults. But setting a child up with the tools to more effectively deal with grief throughout life, is an amazing gift! Also, this soft covered book is very affordable. It costs about the same as a dog mental game or a couple of bags of treats. That means it’s a huge win-win for you and your child.

Dorothy, what was the inspiration for Wolfie, What Is The Rainbow Bridge?

I was inspired to write this book based on true events, more specifically, one of many special moments that happened with my grandson and the last of my five Siberian Huskies (a/k/a the FiveSibes), Wolfie. I always loved the poem and theory of the Rainbow Bridge for pets who passed. When we lost Wolfie’s sister, Bandit, Wolfie became the last of our beautiful pack family. But his personality was not that of a lone dog. He thrived in the pack, with his two littermates, sisters Bandit and Chloe, and our other two Siberian Huskies, Harley and Gibson.

The three “pupsters,” as I called them, were siblings and came home to our family as puppies. Growing up together from puppyhood to their golden years, they had an incredible bond with each other and with Harley and Gibson.

So when Wolfie was the last one, he grieved. A lot. It was worrisome and so sad. Enter my grandson, who was just five at the time. While he was always great with our Huskies, and them with him, since he was born, but after Bandit passed, he became especially close to Wolfie; he became his best buddy. They formed such a close bond that Wolfie came out of grieving and was a happy Husky again.

… the idea formed to write a book to help my grandchildren—and other families with children who were also facing, or had faced, the loss of a beloved pet…

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

As the story goes in the book, one day, while it was raining and we were sitting on the porch together, my grandson had his arm wrapped around Wolfie. When the rain stopped, a beautiful rainbow appeared across the sky. He began talking to Wolfie and pointed out the rainbow. It really touched me.

I was still carrying the scars of loss from the passing of my other four Huskies, but it made me think about how they were now all together again, forever running beyond the Rainbow Bridge. I knew my Wolfie would also be going there one day, sooner rather than later, since he was already a senior dog, and it made my heart ache.

I had already spoken to my grandson about the Rainbow Bridge when he asked about where the others went, and I knew my daughter and I would have to have that heartbreaking talk with him and his sister, “where” Wolfie would be when he was no longer with us.

So, between seeing the beautiful rainbow, their conversation, and Wolfie’s age, the idea formed to write a book to help my grandchildren—and other families with children who were also facing, or had faced, the loss of a beloved pet. Having my grandson contribute to the story made it even more special.

How did you handle the rainbow bridge with your kids and grandkids?

Good question! I still choke up thinking about this. Of course, I spoke at length with my daughter, their mom, and we had already spoken about the Rainbow Bridge when Bandit, Harley, and Chloe passed. They knew I had five Siberian Huskies, and my grandson grew up with four of them (Gibson had already passed).

He’d ask a lot of questions about Gibson and where he was. So we told him, and his sister when she was a bit older, about a place called the Rainbow Bridge, and how Huskies travel even further north to where it always snows, so they were having fun zoomies there.

I told him that sometimes when it snows, it could be them sending us sign to say “hello” and other times, they could send other signs, which I talk about in the book. I think giving them something positive to focus on during a sad time of grieving is so important.

I think giving them (kids) something positive to focus on during a sad time of grieving is so important.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery



What would you tell a parent about how to help a child deal with a sick pet or when one crosses the rainbow bridge?

Every family and person grieves differently and handles grief in their own way. I’d share my experiences, and always say stick to the basic truth that is age-appropriate. While they need to understand their pet won’t be coming back physically, I try to find a positive, like the pet is no longer in pain or no longer very sick, but while they are no longer with us, they will always be in our hearts and memories.

I think of it for their age, like a fairytale, to give them something positive to help them through their sadness and, in their own way, keep the memory of that pet alive. That’s why I included in the book a special page where they can draw their pet, and the book becomes a keepsake of the beloved pet they can keep forever. And one day, when they are older and have children, it can still be a tool to help them through the loss of a pet.

… they (children) need to understand their pet won’t be coming back physically, I try to find a positive…they (pets) will always be in our hearts and memories.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery



What would you say to a parent who’s reluctant to get a pet because they don’t want to deal with end-of-life issues with their child?

Oh, tough question! That is a very real and justifiable emotion. It’s so devastating to lose a beloved pet—or five—and it’s so difficult to deal with their loss for us adults, so for a child it is even more sad, scary, and emotionally upsetting.

And again, it’s a parent’s personal choice of how, or if, to do an end-of-life discussion with their child. I can only share my experience. I feel that not dealing with it, the child/ren will have questions, worries, fears, etc.

My daughter and I always feel it is important to have an age-appropriate discussion with them about what is happening/going to happen with a very sick, very old, or very injured pet is key because they will experience that loss and all the emotions that go with it, and they need loving, gentle help navigating it all.

… it’s a parent’s personal choice of how, or if, to do an end-of-life discussion with their child…I always feel it is important to have an age-appropriate discussion…and help navigating it all.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

Would you recommend that parents read this book with their child?

Yes! It is written from the heart and from personal experience, and also from a young child’s (my grandson’s) perspective, which is what makes it so relatable, and it’s real. It is not a heavy read, nor a downer. It is uplifting and positive—a discussion between the boy, Cody, and his dog, Wolfie.

Spoiler Alert for Parents: In my book, the dog lives! (Wolfie was with us at the time of the writing.) As I mentioned earlier, I believe it is important to keep it as truthful as possible for the child’s age, but always leave it on a positive note.

I believe it is important to keep it as truthful as possible for the child’s age, but always leave it on a positive note.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

I know you’ve had the chance to read some of your books to your grandchildren’s classes. What would you say is the best aspect of these events for you?

Oh my gosh, all of it! I love, love, love reading to them, with them, and being a guest reader each year in their class! The teachers are so welcoming, and I get to sit with each grandchild in their class while I read, and they help turn the page!

The children ask wonderful, insightful questions! My grandson will answer some questions, too! Good childhood stories and reading with/to children are truly special gifts. I love to see the spark of inspiration, creativity, and imagination in children.

I feel it’s our job as parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, etc., to present them with good, wholesome, inspirational books to continue that love of reading and creativity. I so look forward to reading to their classes each year! And their book of choice? One of my other FiveSibes Tales, Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness (which, I’m proud to say, was awarded the Story Monster’s Purple Dragonfly Award for a children’s book about exercise and fitness)! It’s currently not available on Amazon, but it is on my FiveSibes website here.

NOTE: Dorothy has written several books that give back to dogs and huskies in need. My favorite kind of items to give as gifts. If you love a gift with a charitable twist, then check out this article with more ideas than you thought possible.

I love to see the spark of inspiration, creativity, and imagination in children.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

What would you say to a child whose furry buddy they’ve known their whole life has crossed the rainbow bridge?

First, I’d talk with their parent(s)/guardian(s) to know if it’s okay and if they are comfortable with the idea of the Rainbow Bridge and that is a heaven for dogs who could send possible signs from beyond (nothing too heavy, but like shapes of clouds, feathers, northern lights, snow, etc.)

Every family has their own spiritual beliefs, and I respect that. If they were okay with it, I’d share the concept of the Rainbow Bridge, and how we had five dogs, and that’s where I believe they are now. In my book, Wolfie mentions how he will one day journey to the Rainbow Bridge, and my grandson asks if he could visit, and Wolfie answers that he won’t be able to do that, but that he can talk to him all the time, any time, just not in person anymore.

If they (parents or guardians) were okay with it, I’d share the concept of the Rainbow Bridge

…

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

What would you like children to get from this book?

I would hope my book helps them through their grief of losing/having lost a pet. Also, to know they are not alone in what they are going through, that it is okay to miss their pet, and to know that their pet is no longer in pain/too sick/too old where they are. And to remember that while their pet is not physically with them anymore, the child can carry them in their hearts and memories forever.

I would hope my book helps them through their grief of losing/having lost a pet.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

What would you like parents and pet parents to get from this book?

That Wolfie, What Is The Rainbow Bridge? is a sensitive, positive, non-religious (other than the mention that the Rainbow Bridge is like Heaven for dogs) story book that I feel is suitable for all families who have lost a beloved pet.

It offers light lessons, including an elementary reading specialist-approved Words and Terms to Know list, a Discussion Page to have a nice, follow-up talk, and a Draw Your Pet page so children can draw and color their own vision of their pet.

I feel it is a great book for parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, Therapy Dog handlers, and veterinarians to have on hand for families with children who have or will be losing a beloved pet. It’s a lovely, light, and true story about an important end-of-life topic.

I feel it is a great book for parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, Therapy Dog handlers, and veterinarians to have on hand for families with children who have or will be losing a beloved pet.

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

What’s next on your writing agenda?

Several projects! My niches are children’s stories and sweet romances for grown-ups. In the children’s category, I have in the works a FiveSibes coloring book with a phenomenal illustrator, a new children’s book, and my grandson and I are brainstorming ideas for our next book to write together.

I’m also currently working on republishing the second edition of my first FiveSibes™ Tale—What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy. And—for grownups—I just finished writing a western romance novel (I’ve had romances published in Woman’s World and Micromance Magazine, as well as on my own blogs (FiveSibes.com and my new author site AuthorDorothyWills-Raftery.blogspot.com), so I really enjoyed writing this novel, which of course, features horses and a Husky/mix). Up next is a true WWII romance novel about my parents. I love writing about animals, and I love writing romances—especially a romance featuring a Husky! I always have stories in my mind waiting to be written.

Up next is a true WWII romance novel about my parents. I love writing about animals and I love writing romances—especially a romance featuring a Husky! I always have stories in my mind waiting to be written!

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

Where can folks get their own copy of this book, and will you be doing a book tour?

It’s available on Amazon here!

I have a few local book signings planned, and also virtual blog book tours, such as here on Tail Wag Wisdom, which I am so grateful for! And I’ll be sharing reviews and news of where/who is hosting a book signing on my FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page!

Thank you, Terri and Henry, so much for hosting me!

I have a few local book signings planned, and also virtual blog book tours…

~ Dorothy Wills-Raftery

What do others think of Wolfie, Where is the Rainbow Bridge?

Everyone loves this book. A few of the comments include:

“This is a sensitive approach to a difficult situation for many children to understand.”

“…reassured your beloved companion contentedly waits for you beyond the rainbow bridge.”

“Thoughtful and informative at the same time, giving a child hope that his pet will be enjoying his new ever-after life over the rainbow bridge!“

Discussing the Rainbow Bridge With Kids Just Got Easier

📌 PIN FOR LATER!

This was fun! Thank you, Dorothy, for including us on your virtual book tour!

I read Wolfie, Where Is The Rainbow Bridge? from cover to cover. Honestly, it’s one of the most thoughtful and heartwarming stories I’ve read in a long time. I know it will help many families and children with talking about the rainbow bridge and what it means to our beloved pets.

Both Henry and I wholeheartedly recommend this new book for families, teachers, and all those who have furry friends. You won’t regret adding this book to your library. As Dorothy mentioned, the back of the book has an extensive glossary, discussion area, and a spot to draw a furry buddy. I imagine this book is soon to be another award-winning book for Dorothy and her budding author grandson, Cody. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as Henry and I enjoy it.