WHO WILL COME FOR ME?

I don't understand why my family left me here. This place is so frightening. It smells of strange dogs and blood and death! I don't want to stay here, so I bark and cry and try to get someone's attention to come and get me and take me home!

It's been days now and still they haven't come. Other people look at me but they don't stop. I see them take other dogs with them. Why don't they take me?

The people here are kind and they see that I have plenty of food and water so now I'm not hungry any more. But I don't understand the sadness in their eyes. They keep saying I'm out of time. What does that mean?

Then, one of them picks me up and carries me to another room. She is crying and I don't understand why. I try to comfort her by licking her hand but it only makes her cry harder. She says I'm going to the Rainbow Bridge. But, I don't know how to get there. This is scary and then I feel a sharp pinch in my leg and I start to go to sleep. But, my family....

When I wake up, I find myself in a beautiful place. This must be the Rainbow Bridge because I can see it the distance. There are no cages and no smells of blood and death. There are lots of other animals here of all kinds and they are playing with each other. It's been so long since I've run and played. This will be fun!

And so my time passes. I keep seeing my friends go running off to greet someone and then, together, they go over that bridge. I wonder when my family will come. Suddenly, I see them! But, they don't look at me or come to me and I can't get to them. I'm frantic and crying, trying to run.

Then, I hear a voice behind me. "Don't worry little one. They don't deserve you and so you can't get to them. I created animals such as you to be a gift and teacher to mankind. Some of them never learn the lesson." I turn and see a Man who radiates brilliance. His voice is soft and penetrating and He has the kindest eyes I have ever seen.

I sense His majesty and lowering my head, I speak to him. "The other animals here run to meet their families and then they go across that bridge. But my family didn't come for me. How will I get across?"

Again, He spoke softly to me as he bent to pick me up. "Don't be afraid, my little one. You will have a new family who will love you for eternity because I will take you across."

Patricia J. Kratzer
3-18-08