Unlike most of the sun filled days at the Rainbow Bridge, this 
particular day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as 
any day could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea 
what to think as they had never ever experienced a day like this 
before. But the animals who 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 was not long before an elderly animal came into view, his head 
hung low, so very low, and his 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, far, too often. He 
approached slowly, very slowly, and was 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, it was not to 
be. As he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance 
of an Angel who sadly apologized to him, and then told him that he 
would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their 
people could pass over to 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 were not 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 waited.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge did not 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. He was 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 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 
could not place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge.

"I think I like rescuer's," said the first animal, "So does GOD, "was 
the reply from the second animal, "so does God."

Author Unknown