Rudy ...

 “Mama,” asked Puff. “You’re using the writey box but you have water combing out of your eyes. What’s wrong?”

“One of my loves has gone to the Bridge.  That’s where all God’s creatures eventually go.  Now close your eyes, and go to sleep ... maybe you’ll be able to see in your dreams ...”

Misty called to Peanut, and the two of them set off to find Andrew.  But as usually was the case, Andrew knew they needed him before they did, and the two found themselves at the Angel’s feet.

“I will never get used to that” Misty grumbled.  

Scooping her up he settled the cat on his lap, and found a tidbit in his pockets for Peanut.  He loved that pudgy dachshund, she had such a neat personality, and more than once he thought despite Peanut’s oddball explanations for things, that Peanut knew more than he did.

“What’s bothering you two?” Andrew already knew, but also knew they had to grapple with things on their own.

“Mama was reading the writey box, and Puff saw water come out of her eyes, and then Mama put him to bed, and told him to dream, and he did, and we saw an opossum named Rudy was coming here, but we didn’t know at first, and we don’t know where to look for him or what to do next”  tumbled out of Peanuts mouth, between bites of her treat.  

“He wasn’t a pet, he was a wildlife ambassador.  He had been injured, badly, but kind people nursed him back to health and for a few years he lived with these people and helped educate children and adults on what it is to be an opossum. But as with all of God’s creatures, his time on earth came to an end, and he has returned to be with his Creator.  He’s right over there, where all of you woke up, beside Crystal Creek.  He’s been sleeping in a lovely patch of clover, but he’s about to wake up.”

Misty thought about the angel’s words for a minute and then asked, “Can we go get him? Will he be afraid of us?”

“Of course you may.”

Misty and Peanut headed for the creek, and sure enough, found Rudy just waking up.  First he washed his paws, then he scrubbed his face, and groomed his fur.  Thirsty, he ambled over to the creek to drink his fill. He wasn’t particularly scared, but he did wonder where he was. 

“Um, Rudy?” Said Peanut. “Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you ...”

Rudy turned to see a cat and a dog looking at him.  The cat looked kind of weird, as her ears were folded forward, but both animals seemed harmless enough.

“Who are YOU, and where am I?” He asked.

“You were hurt, but people saved you, and you were an ambassador and then you were done with your tasks on earth, and you died, and you came here, and we’ll take you to Andrew and he’ll explain all the rest.” 

As usual, Peanut’s words all ran together,  Misty sighed, “Come, we’ll take you to him, he’s just over there ...”

The odd trio made their way to Andrew, who was sitting on the big rock, waiting for them. With Misty on one side, and Peanut on the other, Rudy looked up at Andrew.  “What’s an angel?”

Andrew chuckled, and pulled some fresh veggies from one of his pockets.

“I gotta find out how he does that ...”  Peanut was always up for a nibble, attested to by her plumpness.  

Andrew reached for Rudy, and settled him on his lap much as he had done with Misty earlier.  “I’m sure you’ve had an explanation of today’s events.”

Rudy looked up at Andrew. “Well, sort of ... am I meeting a group of children to tell them all about opossums?”

“No, Dear One, you are not.  You’ve done a wonderful job of that for quite some time, but your time on earth came to an end. You were no longer healthy and were in pain, so the people who care for you sent you here.

Soon we will take you to meet others of your kind.  You will never be cold, or hungry, or unwell again. Your Creator made a place for you when you finished your duties..”  Andrew stroked the opossum’s fur, and scratched right at the best spot.

Rudy looked sad. “Will I ever see them again?

“Yes, of course you will. Your creator knows when even a sparrow falls.”

Misty thought to herself she’d heard that phrase many times.  She added it to things she wanted to talk to Andrew about. And at just that moment, he smiled at her as if he had read her mind.

“Come, it’s time to meet the others.” Andrew rose, holding Rudy, with the cat and dog at his feet, and vanished. 

“So all you have to do is accept all that was promised and jump off the bridge.” Misty and Peanut did just that, while Andrew held Rudy.

Rudy could barely believe what he was seeing!  Opossums, raccoons, deer, squirrels, foxes, all looking up at him. To the side where Peanut and Misty went, there were dogs, cats, parakeets...  As far as he could see  everything was just beautiful!  

Rudy looked up at Andrew. “All right, little man, it’s time. They’re waiting for you!” And with that, sat him down on the bridge.  And with a deep breath ... he jumped!

As the animals gathered around the newcomer, Misty and Peanut moved away.  Miss Pepper joined them. Of their little group, she had become the “matriarch” so to speak.  

“I think you need to tell Mama Rudy is here and he is safe ... “ she said.  

Misty and Peanut went to the edge of the meadow, closed their eyes and sent their love and thoughts across time and space to Mama.  

“It’s okay, Rudy is here.  We greeted him, and Andrew explained, and he’s with the others ....and Mama, we love you.  We’re waiting for you to be with us some day....”

.... and in the darkened house where two dogs and a cat were all on the bed near the woman, she smiled through her tears.  She heard them.

As Andrew faded from sight he again marveled at how critters, wild or otherwise, seem to accept things with simplicity  of thought.  Man has made a mess of his world.  The animals, in their innocence wee so much wiser.  He sighed ...

© Rose Scott