Fallen Heroes...

 She closed her eyes and thought of Andrew, and opened them to find herself on his lap. He petted her in just the right spots, letting her take her time to tell him what was on her mind. 

"I was looking over Mama's shoulder with the writie box.  There was a dog, covered by the American Flag.  What's that all about?"

"Ah" replied the angel. "Yes. It's quite a big thing, really. Come with me, you may watch, but not participate this time."  Andrew rose, cradling Misty, and disappeared.

When Misty opened her eyes, she found they were in a different meadow, much like hers, with Crystal Creek on one side of it ... but there were so many dogs!  Most of them Shepherds, like Storm, but there were others as well.  Malinois, Belgians, and other breeds she didn't know. All of them were at least as big as Storm, but some even bigger.

They were all lined up, in two rows.  At one end of the rows was a similar tuffet of clover, much bigger than that of Misty's meadow, and at the other end of the column of dogs, an angel mightier than the one holding Misty.  

Whispering, "Who's THAT?" she asked. 

"He is the Archangel Michael.  These dogs had special responsibilities on earth. They served in the Military, the Police, and in Search and Rescue groups.  They were specially trained, the elite of their fellow canines."

"Wow!"  Misty's normally round eyes grew even rounder.  A hush fell over all, and all eyes turned toward the tuffet of clover, and the magnificent dog asleep on it.  The dog closest to him nosed him gently.

"It is time, Brother Nico. Awake, rise, and be welcomed."

The sleeping dog stirred a bit, opened his eyes, and upon seeing another like himself, scrambled to his feet.  He looked around, seeing the two rows of dogs, and the mighty angel at the other end. 

"I don't understand ..." Nico looked puzzled.

"You will soon, Brother.  But first refresh yourself with a drink of water."

Having done as he was told, Nico turned to face the others. "Come, we have been waiting for you."

Escorted by the first dog, Nico trotted the length of dogs lined up, who all lowered their heads as he passed them.  As the two arrived at the Archangel's feet, all fell silent.

"Welcome Nico. You have served man well, both on the fields of battle and off.  On this day we honor you as you have made your final journey.  You will cross the Rainbow Bridge, to wait with your brothers and sisters for the day you will be reunited with your handler and his family."  Michael extended his hand, to rub Nico's ears, just the right way ....

"But, my family? They were all so upset.  I knew it was time to leave them, but they were not ready. What will become of them with me not there to look after them?" he asked.

Michael spoke. "Your handler and his family will continue under your protection until their length of days on earth comes to an end. There will be others on earth who will listen when you speak. All is as it was decreed by your Creator, that one day you would again be united with them, and go through the great gates of Heaven. 

"Others who have come before you will teach you how to send your love and your thoughts to those you left behind."

As Nico took all this in, the archangel rose, with Nico and his escort one on each side, and walked back through the rows of dogs who were now sitting up, as if at "attention".   As the angel and the two dogs passed by, the rows of warriors faded from view, to the end that there was nothing left but that tuffet of clover.

Misty's eyes couldn't GET any rounder.  She blinked, and when she reopened them she saw that they were once again in HER meadow, seated on "counsel rock" as Max had dubbed it so long ago.  Andrew petted her, offered a small treat.  He knew it would be a bit before she digested all that she had seen.  She grew sleepy, and Andrew placed her back in the same spot she had been in when first she called for him. He faded from sight, but hovered just long enough to watch her awaken.

"OH!  I MUST go tell Mama!" She scampered as fast as any kitty could to the edge of the meadow she loved so well, and sent her thoughts earthbound. 

"Mama!  You can't imagine what I just saw!"

He smiled as he drifted away.  Sometimes he wished he could have been human, to have had the experiences man has had with these creatures.  But then he heard her ....

"But Andrew, that way you only would have had one or two of us.  This way you have us all!"

Once again he'd been put in his place by a little cat!

©Rose Scott,

February, 2021

Sherry and Roscoe ...

 

“Um, Andrew?” Misty knew all she had to do was ask and he’d be there ... and he was, settling her on his lap, and rubbing her ears just the way she loved.

“What’s the matter, Dear One ...”

“Well, I know WE can go to the edge of the meadow, and send our love and comfort to those we left behind. But I was reading over Mama’s shoulder while she was on the writie box a day or so ago.”

“And?” The angel knew where this was going, but he also knew she had to get it all out herself.

“Well, Roscoe is here with his Mama, and she’s in Heaven inside the gates. But his Daddy is hurting. He has a new pup now, funny little thing, he calls him Skeeter of all things. But he misses Roscoe, and Roscoe’s Mama. Can THEY go back? Can they tell him they’re all right, and not in pain, and very happy here?”

Andrew petted the cat again, moved that she was so upset about all this. It’s difficult enough to know what’s in the heart of Man, but with these sweet creatures, there was often a question he had not anticipated.

“Well, perhaps we shall see what we can do.”

“Really? That would make me SO happy, and I think it would help Roscoe’s daddy too.” Misty began to purr, never doubting for a second that the angel could “fix” everything. Sometimes it was a tall order, even for an angel ...

And as they sat there, Misty on Andrew’s lap, half dozing under the angel’s ministrations, a lovely woman and a handsome dachshund joined them.

“Is this the Misty you spoke of?” She asked. “It is so sweet to learn of Ronald’s new friends, and to hear how much they care about him. Roscoe and I have peeked in on him from time to time, but I understand this kitty had to see for herself?”

Andrew fished in his famous pockets for a Roscoe sized tidbit or two. Misty stirred.

“OH!” She scrambled to her feet, embarrassed to have been caught sleeping. “You must be Roscoe,” she said to the little dog, “and that would make you Ducky Doodles!”

That was too much for Andrew, who burst into laughter. Leave it to the critters to come up the strangest things!

Indignant, Misty replied “Well, on Mama’s writie box the other night I saw a picture of this lady, and Roscoe’s daddy called her Ducky Doodles. It’s no worse than some of the names people give US!”

Sherry reached out and petted the little cat. “I suppose we should be going now?”

Andrew rose, putting Misty down beside Roscoe. “Well go on then, you know what to do ...”

Misty, Roscoe and “Ducky Doodles” (who was still chuckling at that much loved nickname) moved to the edge of the meadow. They closed their eyes, and sent their love and their thoughts to one they had left behind just a year ago.

“Now don’t you go gettin’ all weepy eyed on me. Roscoe and I are just fine, and we check on you all the time. But it seems that this little kitty friend of yours was worried about you so here we are.

“I hope with all that hammerin’ and sawin’ you’re doing that you remember to wear your safety goggles ... and you see to it you listen to that little pup. He has the makings of quite a companion.”

“Woof! I’m not sure if I should be jealous or not, Dad, but that pup sure is cute. Betcha he’s a handful!” Roscoe wagged his tail, just picturing the antics of young Skeeter.

“And where in tarnation did you come up with a name like Skeeter!” She asked.

Andrew quietly slipped away. Misty’s eyes were shining bright, watching the woman and the dog.

“Mama! They did it!! They visited, and um ... well, you know ...” she purred. “And Mama?” She said ever so softly, “I love you ...”

Andrew faded from sight, ever thankful that He who is in charge of such things gave him such a wonderful gift. There wasn’t a day go by the angel didn’t learn something new, about these animals, and the people who loved them.

... and he was thankful ...

©2/2/2021

Little Moose ...

 Tupe wasn't sure how all this worked, he hadn't been here that long yet, but he'd heard some of the other "littles" talking about this Andrew dude.  Not sure how to FIND him, he set off toward the beautiful bridge he had crossed ... 

... and found himself on someone's lap!!!! And not just ANY lap!  "Hello Little One! Looking for me?" the angel asked, with a smile.  

Tupe was speechless!  Gus appeared at the angel's feet, as did a few other little ratties and mice.  His eyes couldn't BE any bigger!

Andrew reached in his pockets for goodies he knew his little friends would enjoy. Bean finished his morsel and scampered up onto the angel's lap.

"Yep, Dis Andrew! He knows eberyfing!"

"Well, not EVERYthing, but I do keep an eye and an ear out for anyone who needs me. Now what seems to be the trouble, Tupe?" he asked.

"Um, my whiskers are twitching. Like I should know somefing, but I don't."

"Ah. Some of you call it the "quickening".  It's when another of your kind has left his or her life on earth behind, and has come to the Rainbow Bridge. When your length of days on the earth comes to an end, here is where you wait for the humans who loved you.  Time doesn't have any meaning here, it won't seem like an endless wait, but one day you will be reunited with them."

"Do YOU meet everybody?" 

"No, but someone does.  I meet those who are in some way connected to each other. Sometimes by families, sometimes because they met because they knew someone else who is here now."

None of them had noticed a beautiful golden retriever who had joined them, along with a cat, both bringing other "littles" as Andrew lovingly called them, who were deposited at Andrew's feet. Sensing the commotion, Tupe peered over the edge of the angel's lap, eyes wide. 

"CATS?  DOGS?" 

Maggie flopped down on her side, with two fat hamsters using her for a pillow.  The cat thoughtfully washed a paw.

"What you are feeling is the knowledge that another has come, someone you knew, or your people knew."

"Yep, our mamas have this writey box thinggie." This from one of the hamsters. "They know people they've never met.  Our mama knew Bean's people, who knew Marty's people, who knew ..." said Frisky, now distracted by other tidbits produced from Andrew's pockets.  Even for the dog and the cat!  Nofur EVER forgot about those pockets!

"Moose has come, and is about to wake up, perhaps you would like to greet him?" Andrew pointed to a lush green patch of clover away from them a little bit.

"I'll take him, it's a long haul for a Little."  and with that, Misty snatched Tupe from Andrew's lap, and trotted off toward the newcomer.  She dropped him close to Moose.

"Cat spit. I'm covered with CAT spit." Tupe furiously scrubbed his face clean.  This being carried around by a cat thing was just too much. But, with his composure restored, and giving one last dark look at the cat who had brought him here, he turned his attention to Moose, who was stirring.  

The little mouse awoke, and looked around. He saw Tupe, and ... and ... "

"It's okay, she's cool, you're okay ..." said Tupe. "We came to meet you and welcub you.  See that dude over dere? sitting on a rock? Come on, he'll explain it ...  but first, hab a drink from dat creek. Is like nofing you eber tried!"

Giving him something to do gave Moose a moment to collect himself, before being snatched up by the cat, who took both of them back to Andrew, and deposited them on the angel's lap.  

"Welcome, Moose! I see you have met Tupe, and Misty.  Tupe wanted to be here when you arrived."

"But, where is Here, and why am I?" This was all overwhelming. First of all Dad was so sad, and then he fell asleep, and when he woke up there was another mouse looking at him, and a cat, but he didn't hurt any more, he actually felt good ... and ... 

Andrew stoked the little mouse with a gentle finger.  "you and your friends have come to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for the people who loved you on earth. Their length of days is longer than yours, but one day they will come too, and you'll all go through the great Gates of Heaven together.  You have had a drink from Crystal Creek, which flows from the River of Life.  Your Creator knows when even one as small as you has fallen, and keeping His promise to all of His creatures, that one day you would all be with Him and your families in Heaven.  Come, let us go to the Bridge, your friends are waiting ..." and with that, all of them were gone ...

.... and appeared on the beautiful bridge made of every color.  Misty and Maggie hopped off, leaving Andrew holding Moose.  

Moose looked at all these animals!  Mice, rats, hamsters, chipmunks, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, more than he ever imagined existed! His little eyes were wide with wonder.  They all seemed to be chattering at him at once, until Andrew raised his hand ... 

"You need to accept the Creator's promise to you, by crossing this Bridge. It's a big jump for a 'Little', but Maggie is there to catch you ..."  With that, Andrew set Moose down on the Bridge.  

Moose peered over the edge, at all these animals. Big ones, little ones, some he knew, others he didn't, but they were all there to meet him.  He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and jumped, and landed softly on Maggie's golden fur.  

As the others gathered around him, all talking at once it seemed, Andrew thought to himself, how all of them were connected to each other, by one common thread, love.  There was much he didn't understand about life on earth, how there could be violence and terror, as well as beauty and wonder.  But he knew the Creator loved them all, be they mighty or meek, and that this place was their destiny.  He watched as Misty moved away from the others toward the edge of the meadow.  She would be sending her thoughts to her Mama, who would send them on to the people who were mourning the loss of one so dear.  

.... and all was as it should be ...

©Rose Scott

01/2021

Moose ...

 ‘I have to figure out how they do this.  They always know when one comes, and then they are with Andrew, but I’m not sure ...  oof!!’

“Looking for me Sweetheart?”  The angel settled Miai on his lap, and looked sternly (at least he hoped he looked stern, but he wasn’t very good at it to be truthful) at Misty, who was rolling on her back at his feet, laughing like you’d never believe.  

“I ...” (she giggled) “Can’t help it!”.  More kitty laughter. “Now you know what it is to be “Andrewed”!!

Miai looked down at Misty at the angel’s feet, and back up to his sweet face.  “You knew I couldn’t find you so you snatched me” she asked?

“Snatched.  That’s a good one!  Yes, he did.  He’s done it to all of us one time or another.”  Misty sobered up a little and added “You’ll get used to it, and besides, it’s really quite handy.”  She sat up, and studiously licked a paw.

“Um, Mr. Angel sir? There’s a kitty where I was from, and um, I think it was his time, but I don’t know how to find him.  Is that anything you can help with?”

Andrew glared at Misty again,  silently telling her to be still.  “Yes, Moose is here, he hasn’t awakened yet.  He’s in the same patch of clover you were sleeping in, over by the Creek.  See?”

Miai turned to look, and sure enough, there he was, snoozing in the sun light as cats love to do.  

“Do I go to him?” She asked ... not sure how all this worked yet.  “I mean, I don’t want him to wake up and not know where he is.”

Andrew set her down at his feet, scooped up Misty, and said “Yes, I think he would like that.  You can take him to the Creek.”

Miai trotted off to where Moose lay sleeping.  Carefully, so as not to startle him too much, she licked his ear, and purred.  

“Ummmmm,” he said, purring his response.  He opened one eye to see who it could possibly be, and upon seeing Miai, opened the other one and sat up.  “Miai!!  It’s so good to see you!! But ... didn’t you,  um ... “

“Yes Moose, I died.  I came here just like you have, and woke up in the same clover.  You really must go take a drink at the Creek ... it’s water like none other you’ve ever had ... and then we’ll go see Andrew, andhe’llexplainitalland ....”

Her words ran together in her excitement, but doing as he was told, he stood, stretched out as long as he could reach, then padded silently to the Creek for his first taste of eternal life.  “Ummm! This IS good!”  Having had his fill, he turned to her, and asked “Now what. I’ve got a lot of questions.”

“And I don’t have even half the answers, believe me, so that’s why Andrew is here. You’ll like him.  Be sure to be mindful of his pockets!”

Moose padded along softly beside her, wondering if Miai had totally lost her mind. Good grief.  Angels? Pockets? Creeks?  As they reached the seated angel, the kitty already on his lap hopped off, and not really sure how, Moose found HIMSELF on that lap

“Hello young man! And Welcome!”  Andrew stroked the silky fur, and scratched behind Moose’s ears in just-the-right-spot ... and offered an appropriate kitty treat. 

‘She’s right about those pockets’ he thought ... ‘need to pay attention to those ...’   “So, who ARE you, and where AM I and what’s going on?”

In the beginning, when the Creator made everything you see, He started with the firmament and the heavens, the light and the dark, the sun and the moon, the dry land and the waters, and all that Man knows.  When he made the animals,  some have longer life spans than others, but most are much shorter than Man’s.  A long time ago, He got really angry at the poor way Man managed all that He had made, and in a fit of rage, washed everything he had made off of the earth.  He told a man named Noah to make a big boat, and put in it his family, and two of every living thing on earth at that time..”

“How did he wash it all off” asked Misty, not having heard this part of the story ...

“He made it rain. Days and days of rain.  Nothing could be seen out of the portholes of the big boat except water. Stormy water.  And when it was all over, and safe for them to come out of the boat, He made a beautiful rainbow of every color in the spectrum, as a sign that He’d never do that again, and that all who believed would one day be together with Him and His son, and the angels, and all of the host of Heaven.

“When even a tiny bird falls, He knows, and brings it here to Heaven.  Those who come cross over the Rainbow Bridge, accepting all that He planned for every living thing, and living forever more in His Kingdom of Heaven.”

“I think I only heard half of this,” Misty said to Miai, “it’s a lot to hear all at once.  We learn about it all every day, and even when wild life comes.  We die, we come here, wake up, drink from Crystal Creek (that flows from the River of Life beyond the big beautiful gates), and there’s room for everyone, and no one is hurt or unhappy ... and ...”

Moose wasn’t sure he was down with all this. “What happens to Vanessa without me?” He wasn’t sure he liked how all this sounded.

“She will be fine.  She’ll cry at times, but we will teach you how to visit her in her mind.  You need to encourage her to find another kitty who needs a home and love.  And one day, when her length of days on earth comes to an end, she will make her journey here too.  You’ll be united with her again, and live forever in Heaven.”  Misty puffed out her chest, proud of herself explaining all she had come to understand.  

Andrew offered treats again.  Moose was thoughtful.  Truth be told, he DID feel better than he did before he woke up.  He felt young and strong again, and noticed that Miai looked better than she ever had.  He looked up at Andrew. “So, what next?”

“If you are ready, we’ll go the Bridge. But you hafta jump off!”  Miai was getting the hang of things!

Andrew rose, holding Moose in his arms, with Misty and Miai close to his gown, and vanished ...

“Here they come! They’re on the Bridge!!”  Pepper, Mouse and Mousie, Maggie and Molly, the Clan, all chattering excitedly to greet the newcomer. Miai and Misty jumped down from the Bridge and stood with the others.  Andrew set Moose down on the shimmering Bridge, leaving him to fulfill his destiny as the others had.

“I gotta jump off” he asked?

“Yep!  We all did!  Well, some of the littler ones just rolled off onto Maggie or Molly for a softer landing, but you’ll be fine!”

With a last look behind him, where there was no longer anything to see, Moose closed his eyes and hopped off the Bridge to the waiting animals below.  

Misty and Miai slipped away silently and went to the edge of the meadow. “Mama? Be sure to tell Vanessa that Moose is here with us.  We’ll teach him what he needs to learn ... and, um Mama? It’s really beautiful here!  And there are even Flamingos!!!!”

As Andrew faded from sight, eavesdropping as he always did at this point, one could hear angel chuckles. “Flamingos??!

Rose Scott

©️01/2021

Samantha ...

This just wouldn’t do.  Once again Rudy closed his eyes, and found himself on the angel’s lap, as he hoped he would.  

“What is it, my friend?” Andrew soothed the upset opossum with just the right strokes of gentle fingers. 

Too upset to even think about those magical pockets, and wringing his paws, “I don’t know if you do porcupines, but this one is so special ... and ...”

With a soft chuckle the angel replied “our Creator knows when even a sparrow falls.  Of course we ‘do’ porcupines”.  

“She was another ambassador of sorts. She came from a different rescue group, but one the woman follows ... is that how I knew of her? The cats talk about a “writey box” and I know my human mama Pam used one ... are her tears how I knew?”

“All of you are united one way or another.  All of you know when one comes, and there are many angels, and many meadows.  But the one you are wanting is over there, much like you were, sleeping on a tuffet of clover.  She will awaken soon. You and Duncan may greet her.”

“Who’s Duncan?”

Duncan took that as his cue, and spoke.. “I’m down here! You were too upset to notice me!”  Duncan didn’t think it was at all weird that an opossum was upset about a porcupine.  He’d been here almost a month, had met SO many other critters, and had realized that they all had a connection.  It didn’t matter to him that he didn’t understand it all,  he was just glad for it.  And he had learned to watch over Newhouse, because those were the wonderful people who took care of him.

“Is it time?” He asked, looking over at the sleeping porcupine.

“I think so,” the angel replied, “we’ll wait for you here.”

As Duncan waddled away, Rudy turned on the angel’s lap, to get a better view.  And a treat had appeared, which he munched on while he watched.  Duncan gave a gentle nosy rub to the porcupine, and whispered to her “Hello Luv, time to wake up.”

“Samantha opened her eyes, and looked about.  She had had the sweetest dreams, about Sammi and Poppi, and for a moment wondered where they were.

“It’s just you, the others are fine.  Come with me, there’s some water here you just MUST try!”

Duncan led her to the creek, which indeed WAS the best water she’d ever tasted.  Having had her fill, and fully awake, the questions began. 

“I know you, you’re Duncan! But you left us almost a month ago. Why did you come back?” 

“No, I didn’t ‘come back’, you came Here!”

“But, where is ‘here’, and why am I?”

“It’s not a particularly long story, but I’ll try to explain. Come, we’ll go meet my friends who are waiting over there on that big rock” he said.

Samantha looked where he had indicated.  There was a man sitting on a rock, at least she thought that’s what he was, and there was an opossum sitting on his lap, watching her.  ‘This ought to be good’ she thought, but followed Duncan as he made his way.

The man set the opossum down, and as they grew near, reached out for Samantha and put her on his lap. She was about to tell him to be mindful of her quills, but for some reason he wasn’t bothered by them.

“Hello Samantha, we’ve been waiting for you!”

“You have? Why?”

“The time on earth given by the Creator is different than that for mankind, and is quite short.  There are people who rescue and take care of sick or injured creatures great and small.  You were with people who kept you safe, though they knew you were never going to be well enough to live on your own.  They loved you, and watched over you. You were able to raise two beautiful babies, one your own, and the other an orphan. And because of the “writey box” as so many of you call it, people all over the world followed your journey.”

“But, why am I HERE?” 

“It was time. There was nothing more they could do for you, to keep you with them, so the last most loving thing they could do for you was to send you here, quietly, painlessly, and in the sure and certain knowledge you would be made whole again.”

“So, does that mean you ‘fixed’ me, and now I can go back?” she asked, not sure she was going to like the answer.

“Nope!”  Rudy had finished his snack and looked up at Samantha on the angel’s lap. “But it’s all good!  You will be happy here, with others of your kind, and all of the rest of of us, and some day, when the people at Newhouse reach the ends of THEIR lives, they’ll be here too!”

“But you don’t have to wait that long to see them!”  Duncan put his front paws against the angel’s legs so he could stand up and see her face to face. “The best part is you can send your love and your thoughts to them, whenever you want! We’ll teach you!  And in some ways you can help them understand what they can do for others of your kind.”

Samantha looked from Duncan to Rudy, and up at the angel.  This was a lot to take in. But she didn’t feel stressed about it, in fact she felt rather peaceful with it.  

“Come on you two, it’s time we took this one to the Bridge.” As the angel rose, he cradled Samantha in his arms.  Once again she wondered how he did that without being impaled on her spines.  Rudy and Duncan pressed themselves close to Andrew’s gown, and they were gone ...

... to appear again upon the great Bridge made of every color one could imagine.  She had heard about the Rainbow Bridge, and as if he heard her unspoken question Andrew explained.  “Our Creator pledged that He would know when even a sparrow falls, and that one day we would all be with Him for eternity.  The Bridge is His sign of that covenant, that never again would He destroy the world he created, as he once did.”

“And now you have to jump off, that means you accept that promise!” And with that, Rudy and Duncan tumbled off the Bridge as they had before, landing softly upon a pair of beautiful dogs with golden fur.  

“Just jump!” Duncan urged.

Looking up at Andrew, and over his shoulder at things she could no longer see, she sensed that everything really WAS all right.  Andrew set her down on the Bridge, and peering over the edge at the waiting dog, she closed her eyes and gave a little hop. 

Maggie’s tail wagged, and she grinned at Andrew as he faded from sight.  She sat, which made a bit of a sliding board for Samantha.  She was immediately surrounded by so many critters!  All talking at once, and all being understood by each other no matter what language they spoke.  

Duncan and Rudy slipped away, and went to the edge of the meadow.  “It’s all good, she’s here with us. Don’t worry, we’ll teach her soon to send you her thoughts.

“Oh, and thank you.” Duncan blushed a little (though it’s hard to see on a porcupine). “You were all so good to us, not only our care, but all the prayers and good vibes we got from all over the world. We will never forget you.”

Though gone from sight, Andrew watched.  His heart was full. At that moment he though ‘I’ve got the best job in all of Heaven’.  

...... ....... ......

Jane wiped a tear as she looked at her computer screen, called to the others, “You just have to see this!  We’ve heard from Duncan and Samantha!”

©️Rose Scott 2020

Matilda ...

Rudy was an opossum on a mission.  He knew he needed help, he didn't know where to GO for it, nor how to get it.  Now if only he could remember how it all works ... 

".. oof" He found himself scooped up and deposited on the angel's lap! Just like the girls (those kitties he met) said it would be!

Andrew stroked the silky fur. While many of life's wild critters ended up in other meadows, he had been granted "dispensation" as it were, for the ones known as the the kitties and dogs he'd come to think of as his own, and the lives theirs had touched.

"What seems to be the problem, young man," the angel asked.  (and as his thoughts rounded up some of the kitties, they appeared at his feet ...)

"Well, Mama (he blushed, if opossums could blush), well, she wasn't my MOTHER, but she was Mama to me .. "

"That's all right", Andrew soothed. There was the uncanny business of everything making sense, in a place where nothing did, and yet it was all okay.

"You rang?" Mouse wasn't at all miffed, and Andrew knew it, but she wasn't giving an inch without giving him a LITTLE bit of a hard time.  She studiously scrubbed a paw.  When in doubt, wash.  

"Our friend here has had his first "quickening".  It seems one of his kind has arrived, sent from the same people who loved him."

"Yes, that's it, that's it ezzakly.  But I don't know HOW I know, or WHY I know, or what it is I'm supposed to DO about it and ..."

"Shush now ... It's all as it should be."  Andrew stroked his fur to calm him, and pointed toward the creek.  "Look, there she is ... just as you were, waking  up in a bed of sweet clover.  Give her a minute or two then you may go and meet her.  Might be better if you did than one of the kitties!"

"Humph.  We did just fine."  

"I know, Misty, but let's have Rudy have the moment, okay?"

"Well, if you put it that way ..." the mollified cat accepted a treat, and watched.  

Andrew set Rudy down on the grass, and off he waddled toward the creek, and the newest arrival.  As he approached her, he cleared his throat, and asked "Millie, Is that you?  It's okay, I'm Rudy and I came from where you did!"

Millie stopped washing her face and looked at the opossum who was speaking to her, which was even more odd than where she wondered she was, or why.

"It'll all make sense, here ... come drink. This is the best water EVER!  No bugs in it, or dirt, just pure clean water! It's Crystal Creek! It comes from the River of Life!"

Matilda thought that was about the strangest thing she'd ever heard out of an opossum's mouth, but she WAS thirsty, so to shut him up she did as she was told.  And then he started in again ...

"You're going to the Rainbow Bridge with me! There's lots of critters there, some like us, and some that lived with people, but all were loved. Come on then, we'll go meet Andrew and  he'll explain better."

THIS ought to be good. He's taking me to meet some guy in a bathrobe (she knew what they were, as the people who were taking care of her recently had them), who is sitting on a rock, with two cats at his feet.  CATS!

Andrew smiled as the two approached, leaned over and scooped up the befuddled opossum, settled her on his lap, and produced appropriate treats from pockets.  (Lots of pockets! With different goodies! She'd have to remember that part, if nothing else.)

"Rudy is right, as far as he went ... You see, you were with people who try to help wildlife, make them better, and release them to be as their Creator intended them to be.  But sometimes, disease or injuries prevent that, and as their last act of kindness, they ease  your passing of life on earth as you knew it.  

"Here you will be healthy and happy, to live forever with your Creator, others of your kind who have come, and the friends you have made.  And one day, when their length of days on earth come to an end, Bill and Pam will come too, and if you wish  you may be with them forever."

Millie tried to take all this in.  "I had a sore in my mouth."

"Yes, and it couldn't be fixed.  You also had a  head injury, probably from being struck by a car.  You would only have gotten sicker, and weaker, and Pam and Bill didn't want that for you.  You had a wonderful veterinarian Dr. Kristen who eased your passing so you would feel no pain.  She sent you here to us, knowing you would be well again."

"There were other opossums in their house. Why are they still there?" Millie asked.

"While their injuries meant they could never live on their own in the wild again, they have become Ambassadors, and travel all over to teach other people about us, and to tell people not to hurt us or be afraid of us," Rudy explained.  "But you couldn't be made well."

"What's with the cats?" she muttered.

Rudy laughed, "Oh you'll get used to them. There's dogs too! and horses, and deer and foxes and ..."

"We get it, Rudy, you don't have to list them all!" Misty nose bumped the happy opossum. "shouldn't we be going to meet the others?"

Andrew rose, with an opossum under each arm, two cats against his ankles, and was gone ...

... only to appear again on a bridge made of every color of the rainbow. The cats jumped down to be with the others, leaving the two opossums that Andrew set gently down.  

"Now what." Millie wasn't at all sure about all this. Just LOOK at all these animals! As far as her eyes could see!  And the Birds ... roosted in trees, or on tops of other animals, all raising their voices in welcome and  homage to their Creator who had made this place for all of them.

Rudy nuzzled her gently. "It's okay, Millie, really it is.  I did it, we just have to accept what has been promised to us, by jumping off the Bridge.  It's the Rainbow Bridge.  Up there, on the hill, those are the great Gates of Heaven.  Oh there is so MUCH to tell you about!"

Just then two beautiful golden retrievers moved to the edge of the Bridge.  Rudy explained, "That's Maggie, and the other is Molly. They make for a soft landing!" and with that, Rudy slid off the bridge onto Molly's back, while Maggie waited for Millie.

"You're sure about all this?"

"Yep!"

"Then here goes ..." and with an 'oof'' landed on Maggie's waiting back.  

They were then surrounded by all the waiting animals, everyone talking at once.  Andrew loved this part most of all he thought, listening to animal laughter in every language, from fox to ferret, fish to fowl ... all of them God's creatures. All loved, all provided for, as the Creator foretold.  As he faded from sight, he heard Rudy call after him "Thanks Andrew!"  And the angel smiled. 

© Rose Scott

Vigilance ...

 “ANDR...”

“Right here Little One”. Andrew held the shaking kitty in his arms.  She was rarely this upset, but he understood why this time.  He sat down on the rock long ago dubbed “Counsel Rock” by Grampa Max. 

“What’s going on? Why is Sophie doing that?”

“As I suspected some time ago, little Sophie is indeed a prayer warrior.  She senses evil about and is keeping your Mama safe.”

“But there’s nothing there?”

“Oh yes there is, and Sophie knows it.  Even as we watch, angels have bound up the threat and are sending it away.  Sophie is a good watch guard. Not much gets past her.”

They watched the little black dog standing with her front paws across the sleeping woman. Her hackles were raised, and she was growling a warning at something only she could see. She gave a few small quiet woofs to add to the growls.  The room was soon washed in a soft light, not enough to wake anyone, but enough to satisfy Sophie, who once again snuggled up against her mama.  

“The danger has passed, for now.”

“But why was it there in the first place?”

“Your mama is a prayer warrior in her own right.  And each person who is, is taunted by the forces of evil.    The stronger one’s convictions, the more the torment.”

The little cat relaxed in the angel’s arms.  Do the others know of all this?”

“Some do,  and others do but don’t know what is happening.”  The little kitty with the folded ears grew sleepy as the angel stroked her silky fur..  And then that’s all  there was.  Just a little cat, sleeping in the Sonlight ...    

©Rose Scott