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Unlike most days at
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
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 greying 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 existence.
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."
"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
-- Author Unknown