This was posted by:
E-Z Huston Jewell on the rescue list,
she did note under it to feel free to reprint it
on another animal list.
[I do hope this is another acceptable forum to print it]
It was sent to me by: Vicki L. Henderson-aka-Ferret Fanatic
It touched me so deeply, I had to make a page for it...
so it may always be read and remembered...
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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 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." |
This is a response I got from
Randy Horton of "Especially Ferrets"
after posting this story on the FML
His response touched me almost as much as the story.
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Dear Kat, I read your post tonight at about 1:30 am. I am still crying and wanting to go help all those poor fuzzies who came in to Especially Ferrets so sick and old and no one but us cared one red cent for them. I cried for every one we lost here and still to this day do so. I am looking forward to the day when my lord Jesus calls me to gather my flock and bring them over the Bridge. I have seen so much death and suffering come to this shelter, but it drives me harder to save those that we can. We try to just get better each day.
Thank you for reminding me of the special gift that awaits me when my time on Earth is done.
Hugs,
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* * * * *
Thank YOU, Randy, for being one of those who spend their lives
caring for these most precious little babies* * * * *
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And a special THANKS to ALL the shelters who make such a difference in these ferrets' lives... If this story inspires just ONE person to go to the closest shelter and adopt even ONE tiny ferret...it has done its job... but I would pray that it inspires many, many people to go adopt a ferret from a shelter... And give that special ferret all the love you have in you... That is my prayer as you read this page...kat |
