Unlike most days at RainBow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp
as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were
confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never
experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time
waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began
to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was
something special.
It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung
heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the
pathway...the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for a while...knew the
story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many
times.
Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was
totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury
or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been
restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He
approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now
watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was no resting place
for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the
happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was
barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and
apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only
those animals who were with their special people could pass over the RainBow
Bridge. And he had no special beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on
Earth below.
With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the
fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a
group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm. Unlike
the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't playing,
but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at
the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice
but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching the
pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his
special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked
one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.
"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew
tired of him. The way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy
eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never,
ever made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the
kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence
on Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his
love, he has nobody 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 all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a
single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a person
who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure
turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms.
The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all
were bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and
healthy again, just as they had been in the prime of life.
From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a
group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to
the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the
head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the
figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into
line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where
they all crossed together.
The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened?"
"That was a rescuer," came the answer.
"That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The
ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of
such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you
saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they
are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to
escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow
Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special
to all animals."
"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.
"So does God," was the reply.
--Author Unknown--