Rescue Rainbow Bridge
RESCUE RAINBOW 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 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.

--Benny Archuleta

The Dachshund Rescue Web Page

Rosco
Rosco was a very loving playful double dapple boy. He loved everybody and any dachshund he came in contact with. A short few months after he found his forever home Rosco just wasn't himself and his new mom let us know he was diagnosed with lymphoma. I am so happy you came our way and we got to spend some quality time getting to know you. It's so sad you lived such a short life but you enjoyed every minute of it. Rest in peace our little friend!

Rosco III
Rosco III was a sweet boy that was left in night receiving at the HS. We don't know where he came from but were happy that DDR was given a chance to try to help him. I fostered him for DDR for a very short time - he left behind memories that will last a life time. He was very thin and in severe need of a dental . The first thing I saw when I picked him up were his eyes. They were so very bright. It was very difficult to get Rosco to eat. Dr. Paul did his dental immediately since his teeth were so nasty. We believed once he has those horrible teeth out he would feel more like eating. He recovered from the dental - but still had very little interest in eating. We syringed in high calorie canned food and ran all kinds of blood work to try to see what was wrong. Some days Rosco would eat cheesy scrambled eggs. Sometimes he would eat mac and cheese. Sometimes he like beef hot dogs - but only beef and only freshly boiled. The days that he would eat were like seeing a beautiful rainbow - it would make us so happy. The days he would not eat were very difficult - it was so hard to watch him. Despite our best efforts with medical, Rosco passed away at home in his sleep on January 9, 2013. Thinking about him still makes me smile and cry - he was such a wonderful little guy. He will never be forgotten. We did everything we could possibly do. God had other plans for our little man Rosco III, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge very peacefully. God bless our little guy, we feel fortunate to have crossed his path.

Rosie
Rosie was such a sweet girl. She never asked for much, she just wanted to be next to you on the couch and she knew she was loved. Rosie died very unexpectedly, we took her into our vet's office for a sore neck, we had been treating her for an ear infection. The vet had called and said we needed to change her treatment and I could pick her up after work. osie passed away 10 minutes after I arrived. Rosie was a stray in Plainsville, Nebraska, and her time was up at the shelter. A kind lady saved Rosie but couldn't keep her so she called us. Rosie was obviously a breeder girl. Her insides were full of infection when we took her to get spay, and she had to have several teeth pulled. She also had some scars that made us believe she was attacked by an animal or perhaps the breeder tried to get rid of her. Rosie was one of the sweetest dachshunds I have ever met, she is greatly missed.

Rusty
Hi Diane, I just wanted to give you an update on Rusty- i adopted him and his brother Stretch January 2017. It's not a good one. I unexpectedly lost my baby this past Saturday. I took him to the ER last week after he wasn't feeling good and we found a mass on his liver and prostate. The last 6 years with him were the best, he really was a special dog! His eyes were contagious and his love was one of a kind. Anywhere we went he was loved on. Thank you for giving me my best friend. I will cherish our memories forever ♥️