Rainbow Bridge

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Pub Date 06 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 15 Nov 2020

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Description

What happens to our beloved dogs when they leave us?

In an epic tale, spanning thirty years of Nathan Wilkinson’s life, inspirational author Dan Jackson tells the story of the remarkable bond between dog and human, and the deep pain felt when we lose a special dog. 

Set mostly in Arizona, Rainbow Bridge shows Nathan’s life through the lens of his dogs. At each juncture of his life he experiences guidance and unwavering loyalty from; Frisco the border-beagle, Shiloh the German shepherd, Lindsay the mini schnauzer, Georgie the Belgian Malinois and military war dog, and finally labs Zooey and Boomer.

Rainbow Bridge captures the truth that every dog in our life serves a different purpose and achieves greatness in their own unique way. Nathan shares countless adventures with his beloved dogs and devastating loss when they are gone. A tragic twist provides Nathan with a singular realization and a joyous reunion with all of his canine counterparts.


What happens to our beloved dogs when they leave us?

In an epic tale, spanning thirty years of Nathan Wilkinson’s life, inspirational author Dan Jackson tells the story of the remarkable bond between...


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ISBN 9781913264710
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Average rating from 24 members


Featured Reviews

It is believed there is a 'Rainbow Bridge on the edge of heaven where our pets go when they pass from this world to the next. At the bridge, our pets are reunited with other pets and are able to run free without pain and the restraints of old age. There, the pet waits until its humanowner dies and is reunited with them. Together, they cross the Rainbow Bridge to heaven.
This book details the life of Nathan Wilkinson and the dogs who are a part of his life from childhood into adulthood. The book is beautifully written to show that our pets come into our lives at the exact time that we need them and they leave us when their 'work'' is done to run free at the Rainbow Bridge. The author shows the reader just how intelligent, loving and loyal dogs are. It pulls at the heartstrings in so many ways. From witnessing the wonderful relationship Nathan has with each one of his dogs to the devastating sadness and loss we feel when our dog dies and leaves us. You will need a box of tissues to hand when reading this book.
Despite it's sadness, what is reassuring throughout this book is the bigger picture/the message that the author wishes to portray... that our pets are here for a purpose and that they never really leave us. They will be watching and waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge.
As the current owner of an elderly dog with cardiac problems, I was immediately attracted to this book in the hope that it would alleviate some of my worries about what the future might hold. And, although, reading this book did make me cry, it was reassuring and comforting too. I would recommend this book to all dog owners out there who have suffered the loss of a dog or who have a belief in spirituality/God and the afterlife. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for enabling me to read this wonderful book that has brought me some comfort at an anxious time.

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Rainbow Bridge was the perfect synergy of A Dog's Purpose and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. While the writing was simple (not overly flourishing), it fit the trajectory of the story in a way that both pulled at the heartstrings, but urged you to keep reading. The characters were extremely relatable and realistic; the descriptions of the dogs may as well have come from Fido himself. The pace of the story lent itself to be a quick page-turner. The round-about ending was heartfelt and, while I would have adored more to read, it provided heartfelt closure.

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Great book! Having 6 dachshunds and a lab at the bridge
made it a sweet tear-jerker. I love my dogs so much.
This book is written very well and it is a keeper.

Thank you so much, Dan V. Jackson, your publisher, and
NetGalley for the chance to read and review this wonderful
book!

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"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge... All the animals who had been ill are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them..."

Rainbow Bridge by Dan V. Jackson is a wonderfully emotional tale of the life of Nathan Wilkinson and his canine companions from childhood through adulthood. It is a tale of how those canine companions shaped Nathan's life and made him the man that he is.

As heart-rending of a story that it is, Rainbow Bridge is also a feel good book about how our family pets give us joy, laughter, and unconditional love.

Five stars -- I loved it. For those readers that enjoyed A Dog's Purpose, you will love this book just as much or even better.

FTC Disclosure: I received a digital ARC from Mirador through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts.

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Amazing, this book had me smiling, laughing and crying, my emotions were on a rollercoaster!
Dogs, and in fact all pets, are more then animals they are always a part of the family and this book explains that so well.
Any one with a pet will understand this book, but I think a box of tissues might be required.
Thank you netgalley

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If you have ever loved and lost a dog, this book is going to tug on your heartstrings. I think I've cried most of the way through - not just because of the sadness of losing a dog but just how incredibly brilliant they are.

This book follows Nathan Wilkinson from childhood into adulthood when he is married and has children of his own and the dogs that have been a part of this life. It's about the bond he has with his dogs and that they have with him, as well as the devastating loss when the time comes... but we also get a little glimpse into what happens when it's time to cross the rainbow bridge, which is just lovely.

If you've never owned a dog, you'll probably struggle to understand the depth of connection possible with having a dog and the absolutely gut wrenching grief of losing one. If you have been lucky enough to have a dog in your life that has been a true member of the family, this book is going to rip your heart out!! Dogs are just amazing and this book is a real celebration of the special relationships we can have with our dogs and gives hope that life on earth is not the end, that those connections are forever.

This a book for dog lovers but you're going to need your tissues!!

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Dan V. Jackson’s The Rainbow Bridge, at first glance, appears to be a sweet book about what we hope happens to our pets when they leave us. But appearances can be deceiving. Rather, it tells the story of a man’s life journey from childhood dangers through teen and young adult confusion, into the horrors of combat and struggles of business and family life, all in terms of a series of pet dogs.

But there’s another element to it. Much like W. Bruce Cameron’s bestseller A Dog’s Purpose (or my own The Teachings of Shirelle), Jackson’s book posits that our dogs are here as our guardian angels, to teach us, protect us, and even lead us to our best destinies. But instead of Cameron’s reincarnation myth, Jackson imagines that all our pets are there from our birth, waiting for their releases to come into our lives and work their magic.

Each of the dogs in Nathan’s life does so in a different way. From one whose only importance is a quick self-sacrifice, to an intelligent companion whose greatest achievement is secretly gifted to a family member, to a renowned heroic military dog, to a sweet matchmaking Schnauzer, to two knucklehead Labradors whose greatness defies reality (and then are made hilariously famous for completely unreal fictional acts), Jackson captures the truth that every dog in our lives is different, and achieves greatness in unique ways.

This epic, beautifully told, tale is for everyone who’s ever looked into their dog’s eyes and seen something timeless and mysterious, who has asked their pup from the bottom of their soul, “Just who are you, and how did I get you?!” And beautifully, Jackson’s answers keep the mystery intact, just as our dogs always have.

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I can’t put into words how much I loved this book. How much I didn’t want it to end. How I really, really ought to buy stock in Kleenex.

When I’m getting ready to write a book review, I typically take notes throughout the book. I started doing that with Rainbow Bridge. Then I stopped. The story took over. It resonated so deeply, in fact, I couldn’t read it and take notes at the same time. So I put my notes away and immersed myself in this extraordinarily powerful and poignant story.

I read it cover to cover in one sitting.

Rainbow Bridge traces the love, losses and life of Nathan Wilkinson from toddlerhood into adulthood through the lives of his dogs: Frisco the border-beagle. Shiloh the German shepherd. Lindsay the mini schnauzer. Georgie the Belgian Malinois and military war dog. Labs Zooey and Boomer. Each dog has a distinct personality but evinces the kind of steadfast devotion to Nathan and his family that only dogs can.

I cried along with Nathan and his family over the loss of their loyal, ailing Shiloh. Applauded the steely resolve and dauntless courage of war dog General George S. Patton (Georgie for short). Laughed over the jealous affection of Lindsay and the crazy antics of Boomer and Zooey. And sniffled through the self-sacrificing love of Frisco, a heroic border-beagle mix with sparkly eyes.

Set mostly in Arizona and spanning some 30 years, Rainbow Bridge is sensitive and superlative writing at its finest. The plot is Rock of Gibraltar solid. The writing is warm and robust. The characters are people we know and might invite over for coffee. The structure is alert and brisk, tucking in the tail of every character and story arc into a satisfying and heartfelt ending.

Coming through loud and clear throughout the pages of Rainbow Bridge is how well the author knows dogs. How thoroughly he understands the unique and special bond that is forged between dogs and their humans. How the excruciating pain of losing a dog is like no other. Ditto how important it is to NOT abandon your dog to the vet when it’s time for them to leave you, and that you really do owe it to your faithful companion to be there and comfort them in their final moments.

With great insight and sagacity, the author also shows us how dogs are indeed “more than just animals wandering through your house; they really and truly are members of your family. And they really do love you more than anything else, even themselves.”

Propelled by the remarkable, limitless love and loyalty unique to canines, Rainbow Bridge will melt your heart, resonating deeply with anyone who has ever known the love of a good dog. It may also open a window into how your devoted dog sees you – and why. And how much we owe them.

Just hand me another tissue, okay?

#RainbowBridge
#NetGalley

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I have several pets on the rainbow bridge. I loved this book and how the character and his dog bonded. There were so many happy times and sad times in this book. I am glad I was able to read this wonderful book.

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Dan Jackson's Rainbow Bridge takes the typical tear jerking dog book to a whole new level. An epic tale of the love and devotion shown by and to multiple dogs encountered by an individual throughout his lifetime and even during his brief encounter with death. A thoughtful, poignant and creative study of the whole rainbow bridge concept as experienced by both canine and human travelers of said bridge. A great read for any dog lover.

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You think you make the decision when to accept a dog into your life, but it's the other way round. Although sentimental in places the theme of this book was dogs unconditional love for their owners. Should come with a tissue warning for dog lovers .

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This is a book that will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. It is a beautifully written story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. This book is a 'must read' for dog lovers. I loved reading this beautifully written book and highly recommend it. This is a book I will re-read. Thank you Mirador via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This book is exactly what we need to help distract us from the Pandemic. I found this book to be a joy to read. I loved the warn memories brought to life as I remembered my pets that are at Rainbow Bridge waiting for me. I thought this book was well written and it had a "real" feeling to it. I would recommend this book to anyone that ever loved and lost a pet..

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A beautiful emotion story of how dogs can truly save our lives. This story made me laugh a bit and cry alot. The loss of a pet is a devastating occurrence and this story details those emotions. The only part I disliked was the lengthy war tangent, while I did understand it’s relevance to the story. This part was just not my forte. The rest of the story was a good read for me.

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When I looked up the term “Rainbow Bridge”, I was hesitant to read this book of the same title. As a “converted” dog lover, with two senior terriers, I was afraid it would be too depressing. I’m sure glad that I didn’t follow my instincts and decided to delve into this Rainbow Bridge.

From saving his life to providing emotional support and more, dogs played an important role in Nathan Wilkinson’s life. From a toddler in Arkansas to being bullied as a new kid in his Arizona middle school, to stints in Afghanistan and Iraq, and throughout his adult life, we follow Nathan and his dogs in a well-written and emotional story.

Though Rainbow Bridge is for dog lovers, Nathan’s human story is what maintains the reader’s interest. You care about the characters.

As this was a huge departure from my usual reading fare of gritty fiction, I felt that the story eventually entered the "syrupy" realm and became too overdramatic for my personal taste.

Still, I enjoyed this “feel good” story. Canine lovers are sure to feel the same.

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This is a truly beautiful book and one that, if you own (or have ever owned), a dog you will relate to and feel every emotion described in its pages.. It tells the story of Nathan Wilkinson from his very earliest days as a mere toddler and throughout his life as he encounters college, marriage, becoming a father and his time spent in the military defending his country. Greatly significant during these years are the dogs that come into his life. Loving, devoted companions who shape his life, who protect and save him and his family from dangerous situations and even one, who through his own bravery and courage during combat becomes a highly regarded Canine General. The experiences that Nathan shares with his various dogs are inspirational, heart warming and often amusing but there is, as every dog owner knows, the sad fact that at some point our dogs have to leave us and it is believed that they then go on to Rainbow Bridge a place where they meet their animal friends and run freely and healthily whilst awaiting the eventual reunion with their human families. Tissues are needed for these parts of the book but there is also so much joy and hope to be enjoyed in this lovely story. I thoroughly loved my time in this book with these human and canine characters and it left me feeling even more grateful that I share my life with a special and beautiful dog. My thanks to the author for this treat of a book and to Netgalley and the publisher for a pre-release copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Rainbow Bridge is pet fiction in a class all its own. Author Dan V. Jackson is clearly a dog lover, and that love is portrayed throughout the book. Jackson really captured the gamut of emotions pet owners go through during the lives of their beloved canine friends. (These emotions are not limited to only dog lovers. I imagine all owners of beloved pets go through much the same emotions.)

The story covers the fictional life of protagonist Nathan Wilkinson, from a young toddler to an older adult, with emphasis on the dogs that were a part of his life. There were several dogs throughout those years, all different, yet each loved by Nathan. Each dog has a particular reason for being in Nathan’s life, from a dog’s perspective.

If this was simply a story about a boy and his dogs, it would be a good story. However, when you add in the element of Rainbow Bridge - that place where all beloved pets wait for their masters to come and pick them up on the way to heaven - it turns into a great story.

As I mentioned, each dog is placed in Nathan’s life for a particular reason. We’re not privy to what that reason is until it is upon us. The “placement” of the dogs is done by a very special dog. Saying more would reveal spoilers, so you’ll have to read the story to find out what is so special about that dog.

I think the author really captures the typical relationship between a boy and his dog(s) as he progresses from toddler to young boy to teenager, and up through being a parent. The relationship is not always the same. I know it to be true because it happened that way with me and the dogs in my life.

If you think this is a book that will tug at the heart strings - you’re right. It does. But it tugs at all the strings, not just the sad ones. There is a lot of joy in this story, as well as the inevitable sadness that follows. If a book can really move a reader emotionally, then the author did a great job. This, too, is the case in Rainbow Bridge. I admit that my eyes watered once at some point in the story.

Technically, the book is well edited. The story arcs for the main characters were good, with a few surprises along the way. The pacing kept me fully engaged from the beginning, and each dog seemed to have his/her own climax in the story, which I enjoyed very much.

The biggest surprise to me was the ending. I never saw it coming, and I was a little surprised that the author chose that ending. However, it did put closure on the story, and I finished it as a satisfied reader.

I heartily recommend this book to all pet lovers, particularly those that have shared their life with canine companions. You won’t be disappointed!

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