In Memory of Lee

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 over there, with the others, they are rescues. Hewas turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. Sadly, 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, suddenly, the clouds parted swiftly, and the gloom lifted with a mighty wind. 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 once again, young and healthy, just as they were in the prime of their life.

"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those also waiting came to the pathway and bowed their heads ever so low as the person neared closer. As each bowed head, the person offered a pat on their head or a scratch behind the ears.

One by one, the newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. And then, one by one, they all crossed The Bridge together.

"What just happened?" asked the first animal.

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing to the rescuer in respect were those who found new homes because of all their work. They will all cross over to The Bridge, 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 all 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 from the second animal, "so does GOD".

This page is dedicated to a little Maltese girl named Cricket. We did not know her long. And, we did not know her well. But love her - oh yes, that we did. 

What can you say about the most heartbreaking experience you ever had in rescue? What can you say about sadness that will never leave your heart? Cricket - you will be with us forever. Dear little Maltese girl. Ten years of life with a family who, at the end, for reasons we will never know, took you to a shelter. We had a wonderful Foster Angel all prepared to care for you. But before you ever got to her, it was clear that you were in distress. So instead of a nice bath and quiet time before you went to a safe haven, we took you directly to a vet while you labored to breathe. You were so frightened. So were we.

We drove fast through the rainstorm, Cricket, hoping to get you there in time. I sang to you and cried, and hoped we'd make it in time to make your leaving easy. Lee drove as fast as the rainstorm would allow - faster, really. The rain poured down and the thunder boomed, and we flew, flew to the vets, hoping we could save you. But there was no time left, dear girl. The vet told us you had a cancerous, inoperable growth on your esophagus. She said, "this baby cannot eat or drink and breathe at the same time.

There is nothing to do. She has been dying for a long time." So we cried, and the vet gave you something to make you calm, and we held you and loved you, and told you that you were a beautiful, wonderful girl, and assured you that you were lovable and loved. And then dear Cricket, we told you to watch for the Angels and the light and to leave your broken body and go Home. You closed your eyes; glad, I think to at last be released from pain and suffering. We cried.

We still cry, dear girl. You took a piece of our hearts with you. One day we will see you again at the Bridge. Until then, remember that you were loved and know that you are always in our hearts.

Lee and Cathy