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Rescuer's Bridge
Author Unknown

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 Rainbow 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 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 Rainbow 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 The 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
the 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?" asked the first animal.

"That was a rescuer." replied the second. "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."