The Bridge

 

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

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 path way 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

fury 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 apologised, 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 inform.  They weren't playing, but rather simply

lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to

The Bridge.  Also 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 only 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 say 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 ..

Borrowed from the PCNSW