1. My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years. 私の一生は10~15年くらいしかありません。 Any separation from you will painful for me. 私にとって少しでもあなたと離れていることは辛いのです。 Remember that before you buy me. 私のことを飼う前にどうかそのことを思い出してください。
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. 私に「あなたが私に望んでいること」を理解するための時間を下さい。
3. Place your trust in me- it's crucial to my Well-being. 私を信頼して下さい。それは私が幸福になるためにとっても重要なことなのです。
4. Don't be angry at me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. 私を長い時間にわたって叱ったり懲らしめるために閉じ込めたりしないで下さい。 You have your work,your entertainment and your friends. あなたには仕事や娯楽がありますし、友達だっているでしょう。 I have only you. でも……私にはあなただけしかいないのです。
5. Talk to me sometimes. 時には私に話しかけて下さい。 Even if I don't understand your words,I understand your voice when it's speaking to me. たとえあなたの言葉そのものは理解しなくても私に話しかけているあなたの声で理解しています。
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it. あなたが私のことをどんな風に扱っているのか気づいて下さい。私はその事を決して忘れません。
7. Remember before you hit me that l have teeth that could easily crushthe bones of your hand but that I choose not to bite you. 私を叩く前に思い出して下さい。 私にはあなたの手の骨を簡単に噛み砕くことができる歯があるけれど、 私はあなたを噛まないようにしているということを。
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. 私のことを協力的でない、強情だ、怠け者と叱る前に 私がそうなる原因が何かないかとあなた自身考えてみて下さい。 Perhaps I'm not getting the right food,or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak. 適切な食餌をあげなかったのでは?日中太陽が照りつけている外に長時間放置していたのかも? 心臓が年をとるにつれて弱ってはいないだろうか?などと。
9. Take care of me when I get old ; you, too, will grow old. 私が年をとってもどうか世話をして下さい。あなたも同じように年をとるのです。
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. 最期の旅立ちの時には、そばにいて私を見送ってください。 Never say, "I can't bear to watch it ." or " Let it happen in my absence." 「見ているのがつらいから」とか「私のいないところで逝かせてあげて」 なんて言わないでほしいのです。 Everything is easier for me if you are there. 私はあなたが一緒にいるだけで私にはどんなことでも安らかに受け入れられます。 Remember,I love you. そして………どうか忘れないで。私があなたを愛していることを。
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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm Spring weather. Those old and frail animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.
Some of them here by the Bridge are different. These pets were beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved. They watch wistfully as their friends leave one by one, to cross the bridge with their special person. For them there is no one, no special one. Their time on earth did not give them one.
But one day, as they run and play, they notice someone standing by the road to the bridge. This person wistfully watches the reunions of friends, for during life, this person had no pet. This person was beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.
Standing there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches, curious as to why this one is alone. And as the unloved pet and the unloved person get nearer to each other, a miracle occurs, for these are the ones who were meant to be together, the special person and the beloved pet who never had the chance to meet while on Earth. Finally, now, at the edge of the Rainbow Bridge, their souls meet, the pain and the sorrow disappears, and two friends are together.
They cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.