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A Rainbow Bridge Story
The following is a story of Rainbow Bridge, written by the listowner of the Lovedachs@yahoogroups.com e-mail community. It is reproduced here with his permission and is dedicated to everyone who has ever rescued a senior dachshund. The orginal publication of this story can be seen at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lovedachs/message/8581, which is a page in the lovedachs@yahoogroups.com archives.
A Rainbow Bridge Story
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 awhile to explain it to him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He entered 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 existance. 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 with families on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge."
"I think I like rescuer's", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
Hi my name is Leah. I
Hi my name is Leah. I rescued my little girl over 5 year's ago. She was kepted in a cat cage for over 1 year,so I just went to house and walked in and took her! She is my baby and one of god's angle's she came to me and I came to her when we both needed each other the most in our life's. I had a Yorkie for over 18 year's and never thought I could love as much as I did for him! But God knew :) she came to me 2 week's after Peedie went to Rainbow bridge! I would love to have another one no matter how old how sick! Her name is winnie :) Thank God for people like you that are there for all of these little gift's :0
God sure love's his little
God sure love's his little four legged friend's and he put them here for us to love! Just like they love us :)
In October of 2004 we were
In October of 2004 we were given Chester our 16yr old rescue doxie. His eyes were becoming clouded, was infested with fleas and who knows what else might have been going on at the time. My husband and I knew that God had sent Chester to us, to make certain that the remaining time here on this earth were to be filled with love, good food, and that warm place to lay his head..
Though Chester came to us at the later time of his life, it has always felt as though he has been with us from birth. He knew how to give that look , that only a dachshund knows how to give. The smirk when he realized that he got to lick dads unsocked foot.. On June 2, 2007 Chester had a grand mal seziure,with that we were told was brain cancer. Our vet, whom I truly believe is one of Gods unsung heros told us that we would probably only have two weeks before the cluster of seziures would likely happen. We were blessed with an extra week before we had to render Chester back to the waiting arms of God. It has been the most empty feeling looking around knowing that he wont be with me, but after reading about the Rainbow Bridge, I know that Chester didnt have to wait to cross over the bridge to enter the wonderful life that is his now. I would certainly do all of this again. Puppies are wonderful, but there is just something so special about a senior dog..thank you for allowing me to ramble on about Chester..God bless to those of you who have senior dogs and to those who are getting ready to do it all again.. With love dena
Now I know why I do what I
Now I know why I do what I do and why I can never stop.
I found a poor, thin cat on
I found a poor, thin cat on the street about 6 months ago. When I took her to one vet, they said she was at least ten years old and not worth keeping. They treated her like she was worthless. Despite what they said, I kept her (and switched vets). She had a lot of issues and seemed to have constant infections, but we kept her on medications and she was happy. She loved to sit on laps and chase toy mice around the room. Last night (11/13/07) she died at around 3am. I have only had her for a month, and yes the medications were not cheap (they weren't too expensive either) but she was happy and I do not and will not EVER regret taking her in and loving her. I hope where ever her spirit is now that she is happy and playing
A few months ago as i was
A few months ago as i was coming home from late night coffee with friends. I was driving down a fairly dimly lit side street. To my horror I saw a body of a cat in the road. I immediately pulled my brand new car off to the side of the street to check to see if the poor thing was alive. I was shocked and very upset at the time to find that she was. She looked as if she had been hit multiple times and left for dead. I do not know how long she had lain there waiting for help. I quickly loaded her into my car making her as comfortable as possible and I drove as if I was being chased to our local 24hr emergency vet. Racing as fast as I could i got there in about 5 mins. A normal 10 min + drive. Sadly as I took her in she let out her last breath. I handed the on call tech a lifeless body and apologized that I didn't do enough or make it in time. I am nearly sure though that had she gotten the initial attention that she needed she would've lived. The vet tech smiled knowing that I was upset and assured me that I did all that I could of and far more than most. Although I am still not sure I did feel better knowing that at least I did something. I hope that one day I too will see that gray cat at the rainbow bridge. Even though I knew her only in her final horrible moments. I did love her as I do all animals.
Jason.
For what so ever you do for
For what so ever you do for these the least of my Brethren, you have also done for me....Jesus Christ. I can not aspire to save souls but I can save cats and dogs.
I adopted Cooky and Gunther,
I adopted Cooky and Gunther, a senior pair, in 2006 after losing my beloved Sadie the year before. Cooky was a real diva, with only 3 feet, the result of an altercation with a larger dog. Gunther was surrendered to rescue because his owner fell on hard times. We later found out that he had been abused by her teen-aged son, thus his fear of men. All I saw whent they came to visit was 2 sweet little pups that needed a home, and took them both. Sadly, my husband had a stroke in 2006, and passed on in 2007. But he brought Gunther out of his shell with his love and spoiling, and taught him to be a sweet, loving little boy. Gunther is now 12, and his beloved Cooky passed away on Feb. 2 as a result of old age (she was 14). She remained a diva 'til the end, giving Gunther heck for sitting in the wrong spot on the blanket 1 hour before she went to the Bridge. I will adopt another senior sometime in the future, but my point is that rescue dogs are the best, no matter what they bring with them to your home. As my husband showed us, all it takes is love and spoiling.
We rescued our good luck
We rescued our good luck charm Juliet (JuJu) in 2002. She was almost two years old at the time. We also had our Cleo (rescued @ age 5) at the time. Cleo passed due to disk desease, only months after Juliet came to our family. We had our JuJu for six years, and she gave us one litter of pup's. (it was an accident, but none the less a blessing.) Today, Juliet passed... leaving only her puppy Molly (now three y.o.)to consoul us. I've been on both sided of the fence. The older rescues are just as loveable as the young pup's. And there is just something about Doxy Love. My heart will never recover from the loss of my girls. But what Joy they bring to us. God Bless ALL of the rescuer's, and doxy's.
And bless the rescuer
And bless the rescuer wherever they are in this world.