One Final Rescue...

Dana F

New member
Jul 30, 2013
558
23
Macon, Illinois
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Petey Pete AKA "Stinky Pete"
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.

It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the pathway...the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for a while...knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.​

Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was no resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special people could pass over the RainBow Bridge. And he had no special beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.​

With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm. Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.​

One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.​

"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired of him. The way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his love, he has nobody 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 all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been in the prime of life.​

From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.​

The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened?"​

"That was a rescuer," came the answer.​

"That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all animals."​

"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.​

"So does God," was the reply.​

-- Author Unknown.
 

dolphin

Pooper scooper
Nov 5, 2012
10,936
962
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
7
Wow. Thanks for posting this :( pretty powerful.
 

Davidh

Head Pooper Scooper
Staff member
Mar 21, 2011
13,407
848
Katy, Texas
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
BeBe, Hazel, Lucy Lu, JLO, Hillary, Henri, & Katie
That was a great story. Thanks for sharing.
 

Texas Carol

Texas Carol....put the heart in EBN
Community Veteran
Jul 4, 2012
7,581
832
Central Texas
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Brutus & Cami live in Heaven
​I'm speechless...thank you for sharing this.
 

ddnene

EBN's SWEETHEART aka our little GOOB
Staff member
Jun 19, 2013
14,554
1,249
Nashville, Tennessee
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Willow (2015) Walter (2014-22) Winston (2012-13) Wellie (2012-13) Bella (2007-13)
Beautiful... Thanks for sharing!!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 

Vikinggirl

Norwegian Rose
Community Veteran
Oct 8, 2012
9,740
597
Burlington, ON Canada
Country
Canada
Bulldog(s) Names
Bulldozer and Blossom
That was so beautiful, thanks for sharing Dana. God Bless those who rescue lost, sad, abandoned, old, injured, sick, and unloved animals, they truly are special.
 

Pati Robins

I'm Polish what did you expect! A lady like person
Community Veteran
Jun 12, 2013
2,888
238
Cardiff UK
Country
UK-Cardiff
Bulldog(s) Names
Lily (British Bulldog) & Shy (American Bulldog X)
Such a wonderful story to wake up to xxx
 

bella100

New member
Community Veteran
Sep 7, 2011
2,066
148
Mississippi
Country
US
Bulldog(s) Names
Bella, Dooley, and Bentley
Oh why did i read this at work!! Beautiful!! i got teary eyed!!!!
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,581
3,673
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
Never read that before... thank you for sharing,
 

Opie CHL

Well-known member
Dec 4, 2012
4,539
635
Patchogue, NY
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chumley and Hershey
That was fantastic! I recently read bill at the rainbow bridge and was blown away by it..it's a quick read and I know most people on EBN have probably read it already but if you haven't you definitely should. It really makes you think and I can see how people would find it comforting when that dreaded time comes to say goodbye.
Great post Dana!
 
OP
Dana F

Dana F

New member
Jul 30, 2013
558
23
Macon, Illinois
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Petey Pete AKA "Stinky Pete"
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
That was fantastic! I recently read bill at the rainbow bridge and was blown away by it..it's a quick read and I know most people on EBN have probably read it already but if you haven't you definitely should. It really makes you think and I can see how people would find it comforting when that dreaded time comes to say goodbye.
Great post Dana!
Hi Jim. I received Dan Carrison's book about Bill over the week-end. Thanks to EBN.He even signed it in memory of Rocky. It took me most of the day to read it. I would start crying and have to put it down. But I did read it. It was good. It seems like yesterday that I loss Rocky.Its so hard to say good bye. Every day Stinky and I go out back to the garden to say hi to Rocky and King Louie. I know it sounds strange but that's who I am. My dogs have always been my children.I call them my "substitute children"..lol since I never had children.
 

Opie CHL

Well-known member
Dec 4, 2012
4,539
635
Patchogue, NY
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chumley and Hershey
Hi Jim. I received Dan Carrison's book about Bill over the week-end. Thanks to EBN.He even signed it in memory of Rocky. It took me most of the day to read it. I would start crying and have to put it down. But I did read it. It was good. It seems like yesterday that I loss Rocky.Its so hard to say good bye. Every day Stinky and I go out back to the garden to say hi to Rocky and King Louie. I know it sounds strange but that's who I am. My dogs have always been my children.I call them my "substitute children"..lol since I never had children.
it doesn't sound strange at all Dana. I can't imagine the feeling and dread the inevitable time it will come. I read that book on a plane this summer and had to put it down a few times also...and I was only sad about leaving chum for a week! I read the EBN memorials every now and then just to read the stories of the happiness these guys gave their owners in their lifetime. They're heartbreaking but I feel like reading them keeps them alive in our memories.
 

Most Reactions

📰 Latest posts

Members online

No members online now.
Top