Losing a beloved pet that has been a part of your family forever is one of the hardest things that pet lovers can go through, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget, no matter how old you are or your pet is.

TikToker Jess (@notjessfi) shared a video of her mom, who was out of the country at the time, coming home to say goodbye to their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Lexi, for the last time before she crossed the rainbow bridge. Lexi was diagnosed with lymphoma at the end of 2025, and her family knew the end was near, but it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.

Jess shared a bit more in the video’s caption, “She stayed alive to see my mom one last time. She flew back from Aruba, and Lexi died 6 hours later.”

Our favorite comment came from @P, who shared, “My vet told me when mine passed after waiting for hours that dogs wait for the owner, not because they want to see us, it’s because they need to make sure we are okay before they leave us.”

Related: Vet Staff’s Kind Gesture Toward Dog About to Cross Rainbow Bridge with No Family Is Everything

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The Rainbow Bridge Poem

There’s a beautiful, thoughtfully written poem, the Rainbow Bridge poem, that was written anonymously as a tribute to our fur babies who have passed. You might want to grab a tissue before reading this!

“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is 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; they each miss 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.

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 cross Rainbow Bridge together….”

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.