Hutch’s Rainbow Bridge: 93 Years of Pets

by James Lee Hutchinson

Hutch’s Rainbow Bridge, the author’s sixth book, contains short stories and drawings of dogs, cats, and horses that have enriched the life of the of the ninety-three-year-old WWII veteran and educator. He salutes Lawrence county’s 2018 bicentennial. He has lived almost half of it and writes of his pets from tot to great-grandfather in the same down-home manner used in his fifth book, On Leatherwood Creek, a “childhood in the Great Depression” project that followed four WWII Eighth Army Air Corps books. (See free videos at Hutch’s greatest generation WWII stories.) He has preserved 250 short stories of World War ll veterans and speaks and writes to report history from an old man who was there as a teenager and is proud to have received many honors after retirement. The author holds three Indiana University degrees and is retired from a thirty-seven-year career as elementary teacher, principal, and assistant to the superintendent. He is a fifty-year mason, Rotary Paul Harris fellow, Presbyterian elder, and recent recipient of Indiana’s highest honor, Sagamore of the Wabash.

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Robert Hollister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a heartwarming comfort read? Pick this up immediately.

If you love memoirs and have a soft spot for animals, this book will steal your heart. Instead of a single continuous storyline, each chapter delivers a self-contained, beautifully crafted memory of a beloved pet.

What makes this truly special is the author’s background as a WWII veteran and lifelong educator—bringing rich depth, wisdom, and warmth to every single story without ever losing focus on the pets themselves. Every animal in this book has a distinct personality, and every chapter leaves you pausing to appreciate the little moments in life.

The Bottom Line: It’s conversational, deeply moving, and guaranteed to leave you smiling. If you need an uplifting, feel-good read for your weekend, grab a copy today.

[Taylor Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Hutch's Rainbow Bridge: 93 Years of Pets felt like sitting on a front porch while an elderly grandfather shared stories that only a lifetime could produce. The book isn't simply about dogs, cats, and horses; it's about the unforgettable relationships that shape a person's heart over decades. Every short story carries warmth, gentle humor, and genuine appreciation for the animals that stood beside the author through different seasons of life. I especially enjoyed how the memories never felt exaggerated or sentimental for the sake of emotion.
Instead, they felt honest and earned. The sketches added a personal touch that made the stories even more meaningful. This is the kind of book that quietly reminds readers to treasure both everyday moments and faithful companions.

[Megan Redmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think this is just another pet book, think again.

This powerful memoir takes you on an unforgettable journey through American history—from the Great Depression through rural life and beyond—all through the lens of unwavering animal loyalty. It proves how pets don't just live with us; they shape our family history during times of real hardship and celebration.

The author’s genuine affection for every dog, cat, and horse jumps off the page, giving you an emotionally satisfying, deeply uplifting read without ever feeling heavy or over-dramatized. The bite-sized chapters celebrate the simple, everyday joys we so often overlook in the modern world. If you want a comforting read that lingers long after the final chapter, grab this book today.

[Joseph Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite parts of Hutch's Rainbow Bridge was the artwork scattered throughout the book. The author's sketches give the stories an added layer of authenticity, almost like opening an old family scrapbook filled with treasured memories. I enjoyed taking my time with each illustration before reading the accompanying story. The combination of visual art and personal storytelling creates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that feels incredibly sincere. Every animal comes across as an individual rather than just another pet, and that makes the emotional connections even stronger. This book celebrates kindness, gratitude, and lifelong memories in a very natural way. It's a comforting read that I would gladly revisit whenever I need something genuinely uplifting.

[Andrew Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What impressed me most about this book was the author's remarkable ability to tell meaningful stories without making them complicated. Each chapter is short enough to enjoy in one sitting, yet every story leaves behind something worth thinking about. The lessons about loyalty, responsibility, compassion, and family emerge naturally through the experiences with different pets instead of feeling like lectures. I also appreciated how the author shares memories spanning more than ninety years, giving readers a rare perspective that few books can offer. His lifetime of experiences adds tremendous depth to what might otherwise seem like simple pet stories. I closed the book feeling grateful for the enduring bond between people and the animals who faithfully share their lives.