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Rescue at Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most of the sun filled days at the Rainbow Bridge, this
particular day dawned cold, gray, damp as a swamp, and as dismal as
any day could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea
what to think, as they had never ever experienced a day like this
before. But the animals that had been there for awhile and 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, his head hung
low, so very low, and his tail dragging. The other animals, the
ones who had been there for awhile, knew what his story was right
away, for they had seen this happen far, far too often. He
approached slowly, very slowly, and was obviously in great emotional
pain, but with no sign of injury of 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, it was not to be. As he approached
The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who
sadly apologized to him, and then told him that he would not be able
to pass. Only those animals that are with their people could pass
over The Rainbow Bridge.
With
no place else to turn, the elderly animal turned towards the fields
before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like him, 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 to wait among them, watching
the pathway that led across The Bridge.
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
awhile to explain it to him. "You see that poor animal over there,
with the others - they are rescues. He was turned in to a rescue
just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and
his eyes clouding. Sadly, he never made it out of the 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,
suddenly, the clouds parted swiftly, and the gloom lifted with a
mighty wind. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person,
and suddenly the group of older animals were bathed in a golden
light and they were all once again young and healthy, just as they
were in the prime of their life. A second group of animals from
those waiting came to the pathway and bowed their heads ever so low
as the person neared closer. At each bowed head, the person offered
a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Then, the newly
restored animals fell into line and followed the person towards The
Bridge. And then, one by one, they all crossed The Bridge together.
"What
just happened?" asked the first animal. "That person was a
rescuer. The animals you saw bowing to the rescuer in respect were
those who found new homes because of all their work. They will all
cross over The Bridge 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 all 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 from the second animal, "so does GOD."
Author unknown
Source:
http://www.geocities.com/angels_among_us_equine_rescue/index8.html
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Solace for Your Grief
I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest foal, He said.
For you to love while she's alive
And mourn for when she's dead.
It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But will you, till I take her back
Take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief
You'll have treasured memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
With trust, I have selected you.
Now will you give her your total love?
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take her back again?
I know you'll give her tenderness
And love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should I come and call for her
Much sooner than you'd planned
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And someday you'll understand.
Author Unknown
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