Rainbow Bridge for Abandoned Dogs

Rainbow Bridge for Abandoned Dogs - my own adaptation

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.  When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

The animals that had no forever  friend on earth come here too – still waiting for the love that the other had in life.  They play with the dogs waiting for their families. They too are waiting for a family; just not one they’ve ever known.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as they remember in their best days on earth . If they had a family, they remember their family as they play. If no family was theirs, they are experiencing joy for the first time and their play and fun exceeds all expectation.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one animal  suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His master is coming! His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.  His family has come! You are there!

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.  The other part of your heart is now with you again.

For those that had no family on earth , never fear. They are not stuck in Rainbow Bridge, no matter how fun it is. They have a brighter expectation looking forward. The day  comes when suddenly they stop and look into the distance. Their now bright eyes are intent; their bodies eager and flying  over the green grass, their legs carrying them faster and faster and faster than they have ever known.   Their new family has come – they know Him and cannot express their glee in anything more than a frenzied, wiggling, licking, jumping, barking joy. He has come to take them home!  He falls on the ground and wiggles and jumps and hugs them all.  His touch heals all the memories of the past and they have the best family that they ever imagined. They are no longer alone, or scared or hurting.  Jesus has come  - He is their family.  He walks them home to a place where there is no fear,  no pain and no solitude – only His presence, which replaces their sorrow with His joy and His love.

These animals don’t remember being hurt or abandoned now. They are filled with the affection, love and devotion to their new forever Family that they may not have experienced on earth.  For Jesus’ family, there will be no end to  the time together. Forever we have Jesus and He has us.