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#33771 The rescue that I never met...in September of 2005, I saw this picture of a dear little
boy who needed rescue. Not knowing anything about him or the circumstances of how he got into a kill shelter, I had
him pulled and tranported by another wonderful lady to a vet clinic in Houston. A day later, he had passed on. I regret
never being able to meet him or love him the way he should have been cherished from day one...I have one picture,
the one that haunts me. My only consolation is that he had medical care and a warm environment before the Lord took
him from our world. One day, I hope to meet this wonderful boy...number 33771.
The Haunting Eyes that I will never forget... ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Oliver's Story: He was found on the road, turned into San Antonio Animal Control...when the owner's family was contacted, they said
they didn't want him & that his dad had gone back to Mexico. We were called to come get the sweet boy. Oliver
was a fun-loving boy who loved to give kisses and never met a stranger. In July 2008, he was adopted and had a WONDERFUL
life with his new family in Wisconsin...running & playing until his life was tragically ended later that year. We
shall miss him dearly. ***********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Katie
Lovey...
Luci
Ariel
Snoopy...
Tye...
Charlie...
Memorial to a rescue that I never had the chance to meet...*
The Bridge
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 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 human
offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed the person
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."
Anon
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Coping with the loss of a pet can
be one of life's most difficult experiences. It's not easy to say goodbye—even when you love and protect animals as
a rescuer. That's what we discovered when we had to decide it was time to put to sleep our older gentleman, Charlie.
As director
of 'New Leash on Life!', I have seen many homeless animals on my many tours of local animal shelters to identify
breeds for rescuers to rescue. But a few months ago, on a trip through the San Antonio Animal Control, a gentle smiling face
looked out at me through one of the cages. He was with other dogs but when I walked in, he immediately homed his gaze
on me. Ignoring all the barking and commotion, he walked over to greet me. Even in his situation, he
even seemed to be happy to see me. I knew he was older and may not be adoptable but he also had so much love to share... The San Antonio Animal Control staff had caught the dog from a street
corner on a scorching hot day. And because no one had claimed him within the 3 day limit, the shelter staff
planned to euthanize him as he was considered 'unadoptable'. He was said to be a "spitz" only 6 years old but I
knew with the knowledge in his eyes, he was much older. How much older, I couldn't tell as we aren't allowed to examine
the dogs but I knew he couldn't stay here. And he was a specific breed, an American Eskimo Dog. When I returned home, I couldn't forget the face that stared intently
from the cage he was in. I told my husband about the dog that would be coming to our rescue...knowing that there
may be possibility that we may never find him his 'forever' home. But then, we could love him as our own...just as we
do with all of our babies. The next day, I rescued him and another sickly Eskie. Both were taken to the vets and
checked out. The other dog needed much more attention. He was fine...but needed to be quarantined. After his rescue and he was finally at my home, Charlie began to grow
into a wonderful family pet and a companion for the other rescued dogs. As soon as I would fill up the kiddie swimming
pools, he would go in and lay smack dab in the middle...lapping water occasionally. Then, turn his head to see
where I was. If I moved away, he would follow. He was great with everyone...wanting only love. Giving
only love. Two months later, I noticed
arthritis attacking Charlie's hind legs, making it very painful for him to walk. He endured...with medications.
He would still follow me around the yard with this great big Eskie smile and loving eyes. Charlie was a charmer all
right! Then, it got worse, he would stumble...but always get up and smile. I took him to the vets again,
just to make sure there wasn't anything more we could do for him as he got weaker in the legs. We put him on another
medicine to help with the pain. I didn't realize
how much pain he was in, but I soon would find him not able to move his backend. At first, I would carry him around
the house, to the bathroom and he just needed a bit of support for balance. But then, he couldn't get up. He
was in too much pain and his old back and legs wouldn't work for him anymore. I couldn't carry him without pain...I began
to realize that this time I couldn't save him. It was one of the saddest days of my life when I took him into the vets for the last time. Even though I knew he
needed me to be strong...I couldn't. It was then that he kissed me and looked at me with those loving eyes...this time
seeming to know that I would do anything to help him. Now I was not only losing one of my rescued dogs, I was losing
my companion. For the short time that I had him, he made a true impact on my life...I love and miss him dearly!
Charlie, you will always be in my heart... **********************************************************************************************************************************
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More information about the American Eskimo Dog can be
found by clicking this link....
Please use your browser BACK button to return here
when you are done and so you can check out all of the wonderful dogs available at our rescue now!
New Leash on Life! * PO Box 262, Somerset, Texas 78069 * (210) 410-7334
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