Rainbow Bridge Rescuer's
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 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 her
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 her 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.
Author Unkown
The Animal's Savior | I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment, and then He spoke softly. "I have done something," He replied. "I created You." Copyright Jim Willis 1999 |
Rescued Cat
Author: Arlene Pace
(This poem dedicated to all Rescuers )
Once I was a lonely cat,
just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat,
or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
Then one day I heard a voice
so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you,"
was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat,"
"and rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds,
and bathed and brushed my fur.
She told me about the rescue group
and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
a line that never ends."
"And in the center there is you
protected by new friends."
"And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
and those that share their home
after you've been found."
"And all the other folk
are searching near and far."
"To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see."
"And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently,
the days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special cat like you."
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the cats
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet."
A Prayer For Animals
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
- Albert Schweitzer
To Love Again
Oh what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate,
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter warmth and food?
For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny,
While she, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.
She scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed,
She ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day she died.
So if you really think, oh cat
I'd willingly relive all that,
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well don't just stand there - come on in!
- Author Unknown
I Only Wanted You
They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
- Author Unknown
PET POEM
I adopted your pet today.
The one you left at the pound.
The one you had for ten years
And no longer wanted around.
I adopted your pet today.
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared
And has lost all faith?
I adopted your pet today.
He had fleas and a cold,
But don't worry none.
You've unburdened your load.
I adopted your pet today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies
Or was there no reason he couldn't stay?
I adopted your pet today.
He doesn't play or eat much.
He's very depressed,
But he will learn again to trust.
I adopted your pet today
And here he will stay.
He's found his forever home
And a warm bed to lay.
I adopted your pet today
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.
-Author Unknown
