Rainbow Bridge For Rescuers

[becka]

Rainbow Bridge for Rescuers

 

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray,

damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent

arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a

day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their

beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather

at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

 

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low

and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for

a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this

happen far too often.

 

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no

sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at

The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made

healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he

watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of

place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would

be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the

appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not

be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could

pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly

animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of

other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm.

 

They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass,

forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so,

he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

 

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he

had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there

for a while to explain it to him.

 

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue

just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his

eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only

the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly

existance. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no

one to escort him across The Bridge."

 

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So

what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the

clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge

could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole

group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young

and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

 

"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals

from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person

neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a

scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line

and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge

together.

 

"What happened?"

 

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those

who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their

new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never

found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one,

final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals

that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

 

-Author Unknown

[patricia]

This is beautiful...but it made me cry...

[MilliesMom]

So beautiful it made me cry.

[Guest lillysmum]

Oh, that's a beautiful story. You know, I visit a lot of rescue sites (Aussie ones) and it pains me every time I see a lovely pic with the image and caption "gone to rainbow bridge". Sometimes they explain why; the dog might have been very sick. But mostly, they just leave it at that. I guess the ones who aren't described as sick just ran out of time. That breaks my heart. I wish I could save them all.

 

If only those ppl visiting the pet stores visited a shelter instead. If only those who went to a shelter for a puppy thought about a grown dog. If only those who went to a shelter seeking a grown dog would consider an older dog. If only every dog was de-sexed. If only ppl weren't so cruel, heartless, thoughtless, stupid, or downright inhumane. If only...we could save them all...and then one day there would be no need to save any more...if only.

 

Until then, let's do what we can, and make a difference. Even if it's just to one life, or two, or three, or more.

[ShanakilMagic]