Loading ...An Abandoned Dog’s Rainbow Bridge Story
This is borrowed from my favorite dog rescuer’s blog: A Dog Rescuer’s Life. It talks about how vital animal rescuers are in our pets’ lives. Prepare to need Kleenex…
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It is said that when animals die they don’t go to heaven, they go to the Rainbow Bridge where they wait for their owners. The area around the Rainbow Bridge is sunny, warm but not too warm, flowers, grass and all the animals have been restored to a youthful healthy state.
On one particular day it was 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 dog 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. 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 abanonded by his owners. He was turned into a shelter just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of the shelter and passed on. 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.
Yep…
Mom is leaky!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
I’ve read this before. It’s sad but pretty.
Hi, Benson…
My Mom says she shouldn’t have read this at work…She never likes to get leaky eyed at work…
What a beautiful story…What a beautiful tribute to all the Rescuers out there…Thank You for sharing…
Abby xxxooo
w00fs, we is leaky too, God bless the rescuers…
b safe,
~rocky~
We’ll be sending this to our rescuer. For sure.
So sad. Mom is leaky too. What beautiful story. xoxo, Thor
that’s such a sweet story.
So sad, so beautiful all at the same time.
We send our very best to Benson.
woos, the OP Pack
This is just gorgeous! Mom is wiping away tears.
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
Awwwwwwwwwwwww dear dear dear friends….
what a great story….
it’s soooooo sad but sooooooooooo touching…
we and mommy are leaking a lot…
Thanks for sharing with us….
sure you have a very very sweet heart and we’re honored to have friends like you!!!!!
we missed you a lot…..
Thanks for all your lovely comments and for your special e-card for us!!!!
WE LOVE YOU A LOT!!!!!!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh…….. we would love to meet you!!!!
Grrrrrrrrrrrr……
Why we live sooooooooooooooo far?????
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Are you all ok???
And our sweet Benny how is?????
We haven’t read more about him!!!!!!
Every day you’re in our thoughts and prayers and you’re very very special for us!!!!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!!!
Lots of love…kisses…licks…cuddles!!!!
MUAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
WOW. This is really powerful, what a beautiful tribute to rescue workers. Thanks for sharing this with us…
Oh wow. What an incredibly powerful story.
I never thought about the “ownerless” animals crossing the bridge.. but now there is a comfort. THanks for sharing.
Norwood
Every time I see this story I still weep. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing. The tears are falling here.
Love Ruby & Penny
Thank you for sharing this. It is my first time reading it. And you are right about needing the Kleenex.
Mochi & Mommy
This is so touching, I am sending to all my volunteer friends. Thanks for sharing, I have never read this before, but as a rescuer, I greatly appreciate the call out. Thanks again…
Amy
Thanks for sharing this story. It is a sad story. Rescuers are special.
My Mums eyes are raining salty water
Just catching up on my reading….Now I need to cuddle Bailey. What a beautiful story! Where’s my tissue…….
I found the author!
His original story has been written, re-written and spread far and wide, but it seems his original intention was simply to offer comfort to the rescuers who were part of his email community.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/lovedachs/message/8581 is where you can see the original publication of the original version of this story.