A way to honor pets: Rainbow Bridge coming to Carolina Beach

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A Rainbow Bridge is coming to Carolina Beach. The bridge will serve as a memorial for pets who have died.

The idea of bringing a Rainbow Bridge to the Cape Fear Region was brought up by Carolina Beach Mayor Pro Tem Deb LeCompte.

“There is a poem, it’s called the Rainbow Bridge. It was written by a young lady from Ireland who had lost her lifelong pet. She sat down and wrote this poem about her dog crossing the rainbow bridge and then meeting her on the other side,” said LeCompte.

LeCompte visited North Carolina’s first and only Rainbow Bridge during a trip to Lake Lure in Western North Carolina. The bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Helene, but LeCompte was inspired to bring the idea to Carolina Beach.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful way for us to memorialize our pets who are very dear to us. I know that all of the dogs we have had in our family have been rescues for 30 years. They always hold a special place in your heart, and I think this will be a wonderful place to just come sit and talk with your pet.”

The bridge is located next to the lake in Carolina Beach. The Carolina Beach Town Council partnered with parks and greenways to bring the bridge to fruition. Boards are available for purchase. Each board will replace the current bridge decking and include a personalized plaque with a pet’s name.

LeCompte says when the rainbow decking is complete, people can add collars in memory of their pets. Color rocks can also be placed by the bridge in honor of pets.

More information on personalized pet plaques can be found here.

“That’s part of your soul that goes with the pet, and I think for people to have a place that they can come and they can remember and be peaceful, and this is a very serene area, just to pay homage, I think it helps heal,” said Diana Topjian.

Topjian runs Freedom Bridge Animal Rescue. She says she plans on getting plaques for three dogs who recently had to be euthanized.

“I think it will be a great opportunity to be able to come to some place peaceful and sit and think and remember,” said Beth Burnstein.

Burnstein lost her dog Journey to cancer in August. Journey participated in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, which helps find a cure for cancer. Burnstein considers her dog a hero and looks forward to having a plaque dedicated to Journey on the Rainbow Bridge.

The bridge is expected to be finished this summer. Once the boards and new plaques are complete, people are encouraged to place collars on the bridge in memory of their pet.