Help Build the Rainbow Bridge in Our Community

UPDATE 10/01

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The amount of love and support this has received is very overwhelming and I'm so thankful and proud--as I felt that this would be the response.

I have received some unhappy letters as well and just wanted to address that I am only wanting to share something beautiful that came from North Carolina to our community. The picture displayed is the original rainbow bridge of NC. It's a beautiful idea and it is for the pets we have lost. I received an angry letter saying that this should be for North Carolina and their rebuild... please let me be clear: that this is a MEMORIAL of The Rainbow Bridge of Lake Lure, NC; Its new home would be in Murray, KY where we can rebuild with the love for our pets and also let the community know where it came from.

Any additional funds OVER the goal? I believe should go towards North Carolina, however this was all paved with good intentions to keep something beautiful alive.

I apologize if I have offended anyone during this time.

UPDATE 09/30

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I have spoken and set up a connection with the manager of Parks and Rec for Murray, KY. This is an exciting step forward. I am hoping to present this idea with the compassion that has already been established by everyone so far. Nothing is 100 percent yet with the Parks, however this does not mean that this effort will be in vain. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

In the event, the Parks & Recs of Murray will be unable to provide a space for the bridge, I will continue to try and find a home for this idea.

My name is Ashley Pitman, and I’m a proud Murray local and the owner of Bark to the Future, a pet-sitting business I started in October 2023. As a lifelong animal lover, I have the pleasure of caring for the pets in our community every day, and I know firsthand just how much our furry companions mean to all of us.

What is the Rainbow Bridge Project?

The Rainbow Bridge Project is a public memorial space dedicated to honoring the memory of pets. It provides a peaceful location where people can reflect on and celebrate the lives of their pets after they pass.

Purpose: This project offers the community a beautiful and affordable option to remember their pets, inspired by the Real Life Rainbow Bridge memorial in Lake Lure, North Carolina.

Where Did the Idea Come From?

The project was inspired by the Real Life Rainbow Bridge in Lake Lure, NC. After seeing how much comfort and peace that space brought to its community, I wanted to bring a similar memorial to Murray, so pet owners here could also have a place to reflect and honor their beloved companions.

Connection to NC: This project would not only provide comfort to our community but also memorialize the original concept from North Carolina, creating a meaningful link between both places.

Why the Rainbow Bridge?

The Rainbow Bridge is a powerful and universal symbol of comfort for people who’ve lost pets. It represents a peaceful, joyful place where pets go after passing, waiting for their owners to join them one day.

Pet memorials can be expensive, with local options for cremation or personalized services costing hundreds of dollars. Many people are unable to afford these services, and this memorial would provide an affordable, community-driven alternative to honor pets in a meaningful way, making it accessible to all pet owners, regardless of financial circumstances.

The Project’s Purpose

The memorial offers a space for pet owners who want to honor their pets but may not have the financial means to afford expensive cremation or memorial services.

It will also serve as a place for the community to come together, remember, and share their stories of love and companionship.

By creating this memorial, we would be celebrating not just our pets, but also the original inspiration from Lake Lure, NC, tying our project to something larger and more widely recognized.

How You Can Help:

• Donate: Every dollar brings us closer to creating a lasting tribute for our pets.

• Share: Help us spread the word by sharing this GoFundMe page with your friends, family, and fellow animal lovers.

• Fundraising: If you’re interested in helping with additional fundraising efforts, I’d love to connect and brainstorm more ways to get the community involved.

**If we raise more than needed? I will be sending the donations to a charity in North Carolina, with the message of what the funds were originally raised for. I have meant to cause no offense by starting this fundraiser. I initially thought it was a fantastic idea that would spark the memory of what it was and what could be.