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.