“It’s quiet tonight,” Misty thought, as she watched across time and space. It wasn’t unusual for the little cat to slip away from the others to check on mama. Tonight was one of those nights.
Misty closed her eyes, and purred as hard as she could, Sending all of her love and comfort toward the woman who sat propped up in bed, with a computer on her lap, as tears stream down her face. “Mama” she said, “I’ll round up the others, and alert Andrew. We’ll be waiting for them. Don’t worry.”
With that little cat turned and started to run back toward the grove of trees where the rest of her friends were getting ready to settle down for the night. All of a sudden she realized she had been snatched up in loving hands, and while she wanted to be angry at him for doing so, Misty was glad that Andrew had interceded.
“ oh Andrew, it’s just awful. Not one but two of them come…“
“Shhh now, it’s OK sweetheart. It’s their time and they will be making the journey together. The others are already waiting for us by the rock.” Andrew did his best to soothe the upset kitty. He never ceased to marvel at the bond the sweet creatures had with the people that love them. While being an angel is a pretty good job to have, sometimes he wished he could be human.
“ oh, Andrew don’t be silly. Then you’d only have had a few, but here you have all of us.”
Andrew chuckled, once again, put in his place by a little Scottish fold, who had his wings wrapped around her little paw ever so tightly. She was right, of course, but then again, she usually was.
Andrew settled on the rock surrounded by the rest of the clan as he had come to know them. More than just the cats were here this time, Pnut, the pudgy, little dachshund, and a pair of golden retrievers named Maggie and Molly, we’re waiting patiently as well. As Andrew fished in his famous pockets for just the right tidbits for each of them, he explained. “ two come together this time. Merlin and Wellie, whose time on earth, has run its course. To lose two of them at once, is almost unbearable for their people. As we keep our vigil, all of you must wrap them in love and comfort tonight. Assure them that we are waiting for Merlin and Wellie, that they will not make this journey alone. Remind them of the promises, our creator made to all living things. Remind them that here there will be no pain, no sorrow. And that time marches differently here. Remind them that they will be together again in the fullness of time.”
As the little beasts felt quiet, each sending all their love and comfort to a grieving family they didn’t know, bound to them only by the threads of the Internet, something that made all of earth, a little smaller, and brought people a little closer to each other, they began their vigil…
To be continued…
Morning dawned. Mousie hurried to Andrew asking “Am I too late? It took me a bit to find these guys. Padding along softly behind the little cat were Laddie (collie), a cocker spaniel called Janvier. Gus (a Bernese Mountain Dog) with Cody the Great Pyrenees bringing up the rear. “You neglected to tell me how BIG they are,” she said, as she hopped up on Andrew’s lap.
The angel chuckled, saying “I knew you were up for the task”, as he fished in his famous pockets for big dog sized treats.
Gus was the first to ask, “what’s all this about? The cat mumbled something about her father’s house having many rooms.”
“She’s right. There are many meadows such as these, each having their own angel watching over the creatures there. I asked to have you come join us, as you have a connection to a good many here.”
“You’ve been transferred!”
“Katie! You are as tactless a cat as I have ever met!”
“Well, in a way she’s right. Today we welcome a greyhound named Merlin, and a bunny named Wellie. Their family is shattered at losing two at once, and we have kept watch over them through the night and today. As the sun sets where they live, the two have come.”
They all looked toward the patch of sweet clover where the two lay sleeping. Maggie rose, and said “I will go wake them …” and padded softly to the sleeping dog and bun.
She nosed at the bunny first, and as Wellie stirred, Merlin awoke.
“Welcome “ she said. First have a drink, and then we’ll go meet the others.”
Merlin realized he WAS thirsty, and the little creek looked refreshing. He’d always figured water was water, but this was amazing.
“It’s Crystal Creek. It comes from the River of Life.”
Snatching a mouthful of the sweet clover. Wellie hopped along with the two dogs toward a group of animals, of all sizes, and a man wearing a bathrobe. Well, it looked like a bathrobe. but clearly it wasn’t ‘just’ a man.
“Merlin! Wellie! Welcome,” he said. “My name is Andrew, and there are friends of mine. We have watched over your family throughout the night and today, to support them and you on your journey.
“Man’s length of days on earth is much longer than yours. You were no longer well. and there was nothing that could cure you.
“You have come to us. to cross the great Rainbow Bridge, thereby accepting all that your creator promised. Here you will wait for them. When they come, you will be reunited with them, and go through heaven’s Great Gates, to live forever.
“But, dad, and mom, do they know about all this? They were so upset .” Merlin’s tail drooped
“They do and though you are not there with them as you were, you will be able to send your love to them. Your new friends will teach you.”
“Come, it is time.” Andrew rose, cradling the bunny in his arms, the others closing around Merlin, and they were gone …
“They’re here! Look! Buttercup could hardly contain herself Beside her was the rest of the Clan Kitties and an elkhound whose coat matched well with her brother Flyser!’s silver and black The two of them had hunted for Erik in the other meadows, and had brought him to their own
The dogs and cats who had accompanied the new comers hopped down from the rainbow, leaving Andrew with the bunny in his arms and the greyhound at his side The two looked with eyes as round as saucers So many animals! Cats, dogs, Guinea pigs tiny little mice perched on the backs of larger beasties for a better view
Merlin gasped, “Pilgrim? Is that you??!!”
Delighted, the tiny mouse waved a paw!
“Now you must accept all that has been promised to you Jump down from there, and meet your new friends. They will teach you how to send your thoughts and your love to those you left behind And in the fullness of time, you will be reunited with them.”
Merlin’s head was spinning! So much to take in! Andrew put the bunny down, and as he did, Gus moved closer It wasn’t much of a leap for Merlin, but Wellie could use a softer landing pad Wellie looked up at Merlin and said “we’ll, here goes,” and tumbled onto the waiting dog’s back Merlin followed, leaping to the ground
As the waiting throng of animals gathered around the newcomers, a little silver kitty slipped away and went to the edge of the meadow “Mama, they’re here, and safe And we found Gus and the others, Buttsy and Flyser! found Eric We’re all here together I doubt anyfur will get much sleep tonight! Go to the writie box and tell Neil and Treena all is well We will teach them all they need to know … and Mama? I love you …” Misty closed her eyes and purred as loud as she could
… the woman paused as she typed, hearing a soft purr in the night …
©️Rose Scott
11/12/22
