THE BRIDGE

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 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."

VALENTINE came to us on 14 FEBRUARY 2001. He had lived his life on a chain in a junk yard. When he was injured he found himself thrown out and forced to fend for himself. For months he walked around on a broken leg trying to survive on what he could find to eat, until a caring soul brought him to us. He was emaciated. His leg had to be amputated, but he adjusted well and gained weight very quickly. Then one Sunday he refused to eat, by Monday he had lost all his weight and looked just like he did when he came to us. He was put in IV fluids and seemed to be doing well when he came home Wednesday night. Thursday morning he wouldn't eat again and died in my arms the very same day. The vet believes it was cancer.

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