Once again the big white Pyrenees Cody rested his muzzle on Andrew's lap. There was a Bernese right beside him named Gus and both looked to be as miserable as two dogs could be.
"It's a lot to process" the angel said, stroking the silky fur. "Don't fret, we'll get it all sorted out. But first you need to go get your friend."
"Who?" The confused dog looked around, and off by the creek by the now familiar tuffet of the sweetest grass ever was a smaller light brown dog, curled up nose to tail, sleeping peacefully.
"Ace? How much more can one family handle???" Gus asked.
"There are thoughts you might have missed from a young lady who loved Ace as only a young child can. Eleanor's sad because 'dogs go to dog heaven and people go to people heaven' as she told her mom. She would rather they have been together. We need to first wake Ace up, and then go find the young man she called Uncle Johnny."
"He may not have known about meadows, and rainbows, and being reunited." Cody was perking up a bit. Maybe all this might not have a bad ending after all.
Gus stayed with Andrew, while Cody trotted off toward Ace. He nuzzled the little dog, "wake up Sleeping Beauty!"
"Huh?" Ace scrambled to his feet. "I can hear you!!! and I can see you!!!" He jumped a bit, then chased his tail, and rolled over and over in the grass. "But you don't understand, I couldn't hear, couldn't see! and now I can!" and chased his tail again in happy doggy abandon.
"Ok, kid, get a grip. We have some important things to do. But first, a drink ... from the creek over here."
Cody padded off toward Crystal Creek, Ace lock stepped behind him. Both dogs drank.
"Wow. that stuff's good. What's with that?" Ace stuck his nose back in for a few more licks.
"It's the Crystal Creek that flows from the River of Life. It's also "Step One" when you get to heaven! Come with me, Andrew will explain it all ..."
Ace hadn't noticed the man on the rock, nor the other huge dog beside him. There were some other critters there, some he couldn't identify. When they reached Andrew, Ace sat politely, waiting for introductions.
The sweetest voice he'd ever heard said "Welcome, Ace, we are glad to meet you!"
Ace promptly offered his paw as he was taught. Andrew smiled and stroked his silky fur. Then, as if on cue, assorted treats were produced from various pockets. He'd need to remember about those pockets, looking hopeful for another treat ...
Thirst and hunger satisfied, Ace moved on to the next issue. Who was this guy, and where were they? and what happened to Ingrid and Coleman? Eleanor? Lennon?
"Your family is safe, and they miss you."
"I didn't even ask yet and you answered?" this was getting stranger by the minute. And who were these other big dogs, not to mention the assortment of other animals, all of whom were obviously quite comfortable with this situation.
"He hears your thoughts before you even voice them." This from Peanut, a little dachshund he'd overlooked. "It's kind of strange at first, but it comes in handy."
Andrew chuckled. "She's right. Ace, you have arrived at the outskirts of Rainbow Bridge, where animals wait for their humans to join them. But, there are many other animals here who were not pets, but are cared for and loved. For it is written "He knows when even a sparrow falls."
Ace digested all this, as Andrew pulled out more treats, and appropriate ones for opossums, raccoons, deer, cats, it was all amazing!
"Under normal circumstances, you would wait for your family to run their course of days on earth, and be reunited with them, to go up through the Great Gate together for all eternity." Andrew continued, all the while petting and enjoying the animals' company.
"One dear to you has ended his march of days on earth, and is now with Jesus. We thought it would be a comfort for both of you to be together."
"What?" Ace placed a paw on Andrew's knee.
"Johnny was troubled, and felt Heaven would be a better, safer place for himself."
"Whereis he?CanIseehim?Canwegotohim?" Ace's words all ran together in a mixture of joy, confusion and worry.
"It has been arranged already. You may remain here with the others until your family comes one day, or you can go with Johnny. In either choice, you may still come and go with the others ...."
Ace digested all this. What a day this has been! He rested his muzzle on Andrew's knee. "It's a lot to take in all at once. Cody has asked if he can go with you to greet Johnny. Gus? you too?" They had both been childhood chums with Johnny.
"Of course you may. And any time you wish you may come back here to visit the others you've met. There are a few cats who have many stories to tell you!"
Peanut, the little dachshund, laughed. "Oh boy DO they! about being smuggled into hotel rooms, flying on airplanes ... oh the list is endless!"
"Come, we will go to the Bridge now ..." Andrew scooped up Ace in his arms, with the others crowded near, and all of them came into view on the end of a great rainbow. The other animals had gathered around below, much like Ace had seen before but now hundreds of them!! His eyes grew wider and wider as he stared at them. Wildlife, other creatures he'd never seen before but somehow he knew of them ... birds, butterflies, and one beautiful golden retriever had a gourd in her mouth with a fish in it! It flipped it's tail and sent a splash of water his way!
"You must jump down now. By doing so you accept the promise our Creator made to all living things. A long time ago, God got mad at the way the beautiful earth he had created was being destroyed. He sent a great flood, washed off the earth, and started over. He promised He would never do that again, and set a great rainbow in the sky to signify that promise. Today you will accept the promises He made as you jump from the Bridge."
Ace looked at all these creatures, and particularly at Gus and Cody, back up at Andrew's kind eyes, took a deep breath and jumped. He was immediately surrounded by so many animals welcoming him.
"Gus, Cody, it's time for you and Ace to start up the hill toward the Great Gate of Heaven" Andrew said. "Look ahead now ... "
Two men were coming down the hill. One was older, the other one seemed a little afraid at first, until he spotted three dogs running to him as fast as they could.
"Ace! What are you doing here? Cody? Gus?" All of a sudden it was a tumbled heap of dogs and the younger man, all talking at once.
"I see you remember your childhood chums," the older man said. "I am glad they are here with you. Come, it is time for us to go back. You have much to learn."
"Pop-Pop, is it true we can visit whenever we want? The other animals I mean. I would really like that."
"Yes, Johnny, you may." With that, and goodbye waves, along with promises to visit, the five of them went up the hill and through the Great Gate.
Andrew, followed by the usual curious ones, headed for the shady elm he liked so much. Once settled, a cat or two on his lap, Maggie and Molly (both goldens from the same family), and some others.
"Will he be all right now?" asked Misty, one of the cats on his lap. "I was watching Mama the night that ... well, when ..."
"Yes, sweetheart. Many angels were busy that night. They were with all of Johnny's family, just as with Mama and John. Things like this are difficult to understand, but the bottom line to all of it is God's unconditional love. Time will heal the deepest wounds. And one day all will be together again."
Mousie had slipped away from the others, and had gone to the edge of the meadow. "Mama, they're both here, Ace and Johnny. Gus and Cody went with them up the hill. Pop-Pop brought Johnny down the hill to get Ace, but all three went back with them through the gate.
"I know everyone at home hurts right now. And there's a lot of anger. But we're with you, watching over you, you know that."
The woman was wrapped close against the man, trying to bring comfort. Then she heard it ... soft purring ... and she slipped into sleep.
©Rose Scott
1/12/26
