Today we’re honored to share the story of a very special little girl named Cider… a sweet 15-year-old Jack Russell Terrier whose love carried her Mommy through some of life’s deepest heartbreaks.
Cider was so much more than a beloved pup… she was comfort, companionship, and unwavering love during unimaginable loss. After the passing of both her husband and her father in 2016, it was sweet Cider who stayed by her side and helped carry her through the pain. Sometimes our animals become more than family; they become our steady place, our safe place, our reason to keep going. And Cider was clearly all of that and so much more.
When the time came to let her go because of heart issues, her Mommy made the most selfless and loving choice of all — to free her from pain, even when her own heart was not ready. That kind of love is one of the hardest and purest there is.
To honor Cider’s beautiful life and the bond she shared with her Daddy, her Mommy chose a truly meaningful tribute: an ash-infused Heart memorial created in Amber with Rainbow Gold sparkles, reflecting Cider’s white and tan coloring, and lovingly including some of her Daddy’s ashes as well, so they could be together forever.
There is something so incredibly moving about a memorial that doesn’t just preserve one life, but a reunion of two souls whose love never ended.
After receiving her precious treasure, Cider’s Mommy shared these touching words with us:
“Cider and her daddy arrived home today. My heart is full and the tears are flowing.
What an absolutely beautiful Heart, I love the colors and the sparkle!!
Thank you so very much for the beautiful job that y'all have done.”
From all of us at Rainbow Bridge Hearts, thank you for allowing us the profound honor of helping create something so deeply personal and sacred. Being trusted with a love story this tender; one that carries grief, devotion, memory, and reunion means more to us than words can ever express.
Sweet Cider, thank you for being the little light that helped your Mommy through the darkest days. And now, may you and your Daddy rest side by side, together always, wrapped in love that time could never touch.
