The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group,
flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author Unknown |
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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.
"I think I like rescuers," said the first animal.
"So does GOD," was the reply.
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