Wildlife ...

 Andrew found himself leaning against the rock on which he often sat, remembering Max, and some of their earlier adventures.  He closed his eyes, as if to dream, and it all came back to him as if it was only yesterday ...

                        As the baby raccoon tumbled head over paws with the bunnies, Mouse grew more and more pensive. “I must go and talk with Andrew. Maybe he’ll explain it better” she thought. “Now if I just knew where to go to …”

 

            “Looking for me?” asked the angel.

 

            “How did you know?  Oh never mind. I’ll never understand.”

 

            Andrew chuckled as he scooped up the befuddled cat. 

 

            “Those of you who were companions and pets are waiting for your people to be reunited with you. But it isn’t so with wild creatures. Like you, their lives are short compared to those of man, and often their passing makes possible the lives of others to continue.  Come, we will go and watch awhile, maybe you’ll understand better then.”

 

            “See, there by the side of the road … “

 

            “Oh no … it’s one of the baby foxes. Mama will be so sad …”

 

            “… and over there, a squirrel lies still” Andrew gestured to the cat. 

 

            “But remember. The Creator knows when even a sparrow falls. He has provided for all those to whom He breathed life.  See, even now their spirits are being met by others of my kind.”

 

            “But where will they go? Do they go to our meadow?” 

 

            Andrew smiled and answered “Our Father’s house has many rooms.”

 

            “Huh? House? Rooms?”  

 

            Andrew pocketed the squirrel, and tucked the baby fox under his other arm …. 

            … and set them down by his favorite rock under the big tree.  As they awakened and stretched, the squirrel scampered up the tree, and the little fox looked with eyes full of questions at Andrew and the cat.  A lovely doe and her twin fawns came close, and accepted an apple from Andrew.  The fox’s eyes grew wide!

 

            The doe lowered her face to greet the baby fox.  “Welcome!”  she said.

 

            That did it. “But …” 

 

            “You see, your lives are woven together.  When the doe was killed by a motorist, your mother took her twin fawns back to your den, to feed you. Her life was not wasted, nor were the lives of her babies. Do you remember the quilts your Mama made?  How all the little pieces that were left over from other projects were fit together, to make yet another quilt?  All of you are bits and pieces of God’s “quilt”.”

 

            “Here there is no hunger or thirst,” he continued.  “All of you are loved and welcomed.  You may run and play and know that you are safe from harm, that every one of you is special to the One who made you.” 

 

            With that, one of the little fawns touched the baby fox with her nose. “Tag, you’re it!” and she bounded away. Soon the three of them were romping in the soft grass, with total abandon.  

 

            The doe accepted another tidbit from Andrew. 

 

            “Will all these go through the big Gate with Mama?” Mouse asked. 

 

            “They already can, because there are angels who came to meet them. Do you remember the Book your Mama read to you at Christmas time?”

 

            “Oh yes! But she read it all the time. Sometimes she read some of it to me, but I didn’t always understand it all.”

 

            “Sometimes your Mama didn’t either! Do you remember her saying “The lion shall lie down with the lamb?”

 

            “Yes! I always wondered about that part. Lions eat lambs.”

 

            “But not here. Here is where all things are in harmony with each other. It is as God promised.”

 

            By now the squirrel, curious himself, had perched himself on Andrew’s shoulder. From the angel’s pocket came a few choice acorns, which the squirrel accepted politely. 

 

            “Come, Max will be worried about you by now …”

                               

            

            … Mouse found herself watching the raccoon and the bunnies again.  

 

            “You seemed a million miles away.  You okay?” asked the cat.

 

            “I just had the strangest conversation with Andrew, who isn’t here, but he was, and I went with him, but I don’t know where we were, and there was a baby fox and a squirrel, and a mama deer and her babies and it was all so …”

 

         Max chuckled.  “Been there, done that” he said.  “Sometimes it’s all a bit much to sort out, but trust me, everything is as it should be.”  

 

            “Does Mama know about all this?” she asked.  

 

            “Um hmm, she does. It’s called “Faith” and Mama has it,” he answered. 

 

            As Andrew watched from afar, he again marveled at the understanding and commitment God’s creatures had, so much more simplified than Man. They didn’t get all bound up in theories and doctrines, they didn’t question the will of God. They simply accepted.

 

            All was well …

 

 

 

      © Rose Scott      

 

            

            

 

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

Katom Khatool ...

Andrew watched as Kerry trimmed Katom’s fur.  He knew what was coming, there was no way to warn her or prepare her.  It saddened him. Angels could only do so much.

Katom was grateful for the Person who untangled him from the fence.      

“I am still afraid of people, as they have not always been kind in my life.  But she brings me food. I know she wants to pet me, but I am afraid.”

As a few days go by and only good things happen, “She has made me a soft warm place to sleep.  She continues to bring me food.  I shall follow her about the yard to see what she does ....”

“Perhaps today I will let her cut some mats from my beautiful furs. I have more time to groom now that I’m not faced with finding food.”

“I have let the nice lady catch me and take me to another.  I wonder what will be next?”

Andrew stroked the beautiful orange fur as Katom drifted off to sleep. He listened as the Vet spoke to Kerry on the telephone,  “He has feline leukemia, some abscesses, and is not a young cat.  It would be kinder if ...”

Sometimes he wished he had more power. This was one of those time.  Such a beautiful soul.  He held Katom against him, and faded from sight.

*. *. *. *. *

Tig and Storm were visibly upset, and hunted for Miss Pepper.  They knew her as one of the “elders” and perhaps she could tell them what was going on.

“What you are feeling is the anguish from the person who helped you on earth. Another comes, and you are sensing that”.

“But what do we DO about it?”  wailed Tig.

“Shhh, now, don’t cry.  It will be all right”. Pepper licked his ear as if to offer comfort.  She turned to find Misty headed her way.

“I got the message ... is he here yet” asked Misty, as she tried to comfort Storm.  “Let’s get them to Council Rock.  Andrew will be here soon I’m sure ...

The four kitties headed for the lovely meadow, banked on one side by beautiful oaks, elms, and willow trees, and across to the other side Crystal Creek, where the water was pure and sweet.

And as Pepper had said, there sat Andrew, with Katom on his lap.  “Tig! Storm!  I knew you’d be here, this is Katom.”

Andrew reached into his famous pockets for tidbits just right for kitties.

“They didn’t know what it was they were feeling. We tried to explain, but I’m not sure it helped any”,   Misty added.

“Ah, yes ... the “quickening” as I call it.   Because the three of you came from the same place, you were sensing Katom’s arrival.  You’ll learn to recognize it as it happens.”

Pepper added, “Those of us who lived with my Mama sense when she’s sad, and can usually know if someone comes.  Sometimes we know of others who did not live with our family, because we always can hear Mama’s thoughts.”

“Actually,” Andrew explained, “you’re hearing her prayers.  Because of her “writie box” as you call it, she knows people all over the world, people she’s never met except for the “box”.  You are attuned to her thoughts and prayers, as I am.  Everyone has an Angel.  I am hers, and therefore, yours.”

Katom purred as Andrew stroked his fur.  He was sad, he wished he had let Kerry pet him.

“Tig and Storm came not long ago, Katom, and now you are here as well.  Your time on earth came to an end.  The doctor who checked on you knew to allow you more days on earth would be to allow you to experience  horrible pain.  Though it broke Kerry’s heart, she did the best thing for you, which was to let you come here to us.”

“And we’ll show you how to visit her. ...”.  Misty always loved that part.  Teaching a newcomer how to send thoughts and comfort to those left behind.

“Will I be able to go back?” Katom asked.

“Not as you were, but as a spirit.  When she sits in her chair, she’ll know you are purring nearby.  When she goes to sleep at night, you can watch over her.”  Andrew continued petting the beautiful orange cat.  His mats were all gone, his fur glistened,   “She will know you are safe, and waiting for the day she comes to join all of you.”

“Don’t you think we should go?”  Pepper figured they’d sat there long enough, and the others were waiting at the Bridge.

Andrew rose, carrying Katom, with Tig, Storm, Misty and Pepper close to his robe, and they were gone....

“I see them! They’re here!”  Mouse, Mousie, Maggie and Molly were the first to see them, and the others gathered quickly.

Tig and Storm along with Misty and Pepper hopped down from the beautiful Rainbow Bridge.  Andrew gave Katom a final kiss on the top of his head, and then set him gently down on the Bridge.

“Now you must jump!  Accept the promise our Creator made to all of us, man and beast ... that one day we’d cross the Bridge to be reunited with our human family, and go through the Great Gates together for all eternity”.

Andrew smiled at Tig, who had really studied all he could find out about this place.

Katom looked at all the animals gathered to meet him. Cats, dogs, birds, wild critters like foxes, and bandit faced trash pandas, all of them as far as he could see.  They all looked at him happily ready to welcome him.

With one last look back at Andrew, Katom closed his eyes, and leaped gracefully off the Bridge.  As Andrew faded from sight, he knew all was well.  He felt the pain and sorrow of Kerry and the people at the veterinary clinic.  It was hard for them.. There were no tears here, these sweet animals would be loved, and cared for until they were reunited with the people who had loved them.  He watched as Katom went to the edge of the meadow, with Misty on one side, Pepper on the other, telling him to close his eyes, and purr as loudly as he could.

“I’m okay, Kerry, I’m here with the others.  I love you, and thank you for loving me.  Thank you for sending me here. I’ll see you in your dreams .....”

Andrew wiped a tear of his own.  All was well. It was as it should be.  As it was promised ..... “when even a sparrow falls ....”

© Rose Scott

What if ....

Misty was puzzled.  There was lots to learn, and much to understand. From a kitty’s purrspective life here was rather simple.  When something happened to you on Earth, you ended up here. To wait. But what if ...

Andrew silently scooped Misty up into his arms, and settled himself on “Council Rock” as some of them had dubbed it.  She didn’t fuss at him this time, if anything she was relieved that he knew she needed him without having to try to explain.

“I visited Mama.”  She said, without her normal enthusiasm.

“I know you did, sweetheart.”

“Of course you do. You know everything”.

It was unusual for Misty to be cranky, but Andrew understood her, and comforted her as best he could “Not everyone believes, sweetheart, but we really don’t know who does and who doesn’t.  That’s between the Creator and each person who ever walked the earth.”

“But someone comes, and I don’t know how to help her.  How will she find her way?”

“She’s already here, love ... over by the creek.  She’s sleeping now, but she’ll awake soon.”  Andrew understood what had this sweet kitty troubled.  Sometimes the answers weren’t satisfactory enough, and he had a hunch this might be one of those times, but he would do his best.

“I should be there when she wakes up” Misty said, looking over at the little dog snoozing peacefully in the sunlight.  “Peanut should be here, too.”

“I already am, Mist ...”

Sure enough, the plump little dachshund sat at their feet.  “Andrew brought me.”

Misty rolled her eyes.  Was there anything he COULDN’T do? But this wasn’t the time to go into all that.  She simply filed it away in her mind, on the ever lengthening list of things she wanted explained.

Sensing her thoughts, the angel chuckled.  She was quite the corker.  Some of his charges accepted everything across the board, with no questions.  Then there was Misty.  He stroked her head, right behind her little folded ears, just as she liked best.

“What’s up, Sis? Why the long face?”

“You’re the one with the long face. MINE is round.” She pouted.

Andrew laughed at them. They were quite the pair.  Never as close as Mouse and Maggie were, but still bonded.  Indeed Peanut DID have a long nose, as most dachshunds do.  But she was most lovable because she was never in a sour mood!

“So, what’s the plan? Do we have one?”  Peanut looked from one face to the other.  She saw a little dog by the creek, who was beginning to stir.  “Maybe we should just ‘wing’ it?!”

Andrew groaned at the pun.  “‘Wing it’ sounds good.”

With that, Misty hopped off Andrew’s lap, and together with the dachshund, headed over to the newest arrival.  As they grew close, the little dog stood up, faced them, ready to growl!

“Oh dear, maybe she doesn’t like cats.”  Misty hung back a few steps, and let Peanut take the lead.

“Welcome Mitzy!  We’re glad to see you!”

“Who are you, and who is that CAT that’s with you?”  The little dog wasn’t about to take any ‘stuff’ from anyfur, no matter what!

“Well, your length of days upon the earth has come to an end, and now you are here with us until you are reunited with Diane. But come with us, there’s someone you should meet.”  Peanut touched noses with the little dog, and after the customary sniff, the three of them headed back to Andrew.

“Welcome, Little One!”  Andrew picked up the little dog, and settled her upon his lap.  From the famous pockets came dog treats, as well as something for Misty.

“Who are you?” Eyeing the pocket for ‘seconds’, Mitzy thought to herself ‘I must remember about those pockets.’ “And where am I, and where’s Mama?”

“Peanut was right, your time on earth came to an end. You were unwell, and it was time for you to come to us.  This meadow is one of many where new travelers come.  The creek over there is Crystal Creek, which flows from the River of Life, that comes from beyond the Great Gates of Heaven.”

Mitzy nosed in the area of the wonderful pocket, and sure enough, another goodie was brought forth. “Are there more dogs there?”

Andrew smiled. “Dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, guinea pigs, as well as wild life.”

“And Chickens. Don’t forget the chickens”.  Peanut had been particularly intrigued by the arrival of not one, but two chickens in the past week.  And a visit from Grampa! He brought ANOTHER chicken.

“Yes, chickens.  Every creature who draws breath comes here eventually.  The Creator knows when even a sparrow falls.”  That was a particular favorite verse of Andrew’s. It was in the Book that man has on earth.

“But then what. I don’t want to be here, I want to be with Mama.”  Suddenly this wasn’t quite the adventure it had seemed to be at first. “How do I go back to her?”

“You can’t.  You wait here for her, with the rest of us.  When HER march of days ends, you will be reunited and go through the Great Gates of Heaven to be with the Creator for all time. This was His promise.”

“Oh.”  Mitzy sat still for a moment.  She thought about these things, and knew her Mama didn’t really believe in all this.  “What if ..”

Andrew petted her again.  “What goes on in the heart of man is between man and his Creator. We don’t always know what man believes.  We think we do, and sometimes man tells others of his kind that he doesn’t believe in all this.  All I can promise you is there are no tears in Heaven.  If your mama truly does not believe, you will not know, nor will you be hurt.”

“So, if she believes, then what?”

“When the earth was young, man wasted the gifts the Creator had given him. Man took things for granted, and forgot all about them.  This angered the Creator to the point where he put two of every living thing in a big boat, along with a family who had never stopped loving Him, and keeping His rules.  Then the Creator washed off the earth.  Destroyed it all.

“Sorry for what He had done in anger, He made a promise that He would never again do such a thing. He made a great rainbow, as a sign to all on earth of that promise.  Since then, those who believed were taken into Heaven upon their death, to be with the Creator for all time.

“Man would be united with his earthly family, including animals he had loved. All would be together again never to be hungry or cold, unwell or alone.”

Mitzy grew silent.  She had never heard her mama speak of such things.  What if Mama didn’t know of all this?

Peanut rolled over on her back for a belly rub.  Andrew knew JUST how to do it.  “That’s the best part! Your mama DOES know!  All she has to do is accept it!”

“Will I ever see her again?”

“Of course!  You can go to her when she is sleeping.  You can send your love to her whenever you want, we’ll show you how.  And if she closes her eyes, she’ll hear your nails upon the floor, or the little snuffing sound you make. She will hear your thoughts.”

With that, Mitzy perked up a little.  “How do I do this? Can we do it right now?”

“Hold on, Little One, first things first!  Come. It is time.”

“Time for what?”

“You’ll see!” The kitty with the curious ears spoke at last.

As Andrew rose, Mitzy tucked under his arm, Peanut and Misty close to the hem of his gown, they were gone from sight ....

.... and appeared again upon a beautiful Bridge made of every color of the rainbow.  The cat and the dachshund hopped off, to take their places with the other animals who were all gathered together.  Arrivals were always days of joy and celebration!  There were dogs, cats, birds, little critters, even fish carried in gourds of water!  Mitzy had never seen the likes of such a thing!  And wild animals too! Foxes, deer, wolves, and creatures she had no idea about.

“It’s time Mitzy! You must accept the promises the Creator made, and jump down from the Bridge to be with all of us!”  This from a beautiful golden retriever, upon whose ruff sat two fat hamsters.

Mitzy looked up at Andrew.  “You’re sure about this?  Is there ROOM for everybody?”

Andrew smiled. “Our Father’s house has many rooms!  Yes, I am sure. Your new friends are waiting. They will teach you all you need to know.  And I will be only a thought away whenever you need me.”

“You got THAT right!”

“Katie!  HONESTLY!.  You are totally without ...”

“Don’t fuss at her so, I know what she means.” Andrew smiled at Miss Pepper.  One of the oldest (in earth years) here, she often was the one unofficially ‘in charge’ of the others.  Katie, the large tiger cat and Pepper had lived together.  Pepper’s ‘rules of proper deportment’ were lost on Katie, who always said what was on her mind, no matter what!

“So I accept and I jump? Will Mama know? What do you mean ‘rooms’?”

“Yes.”  As Andrew faded from view, the little dog looked down at all the happy faces.  There was much to understand, that was for sure, but she wasn’t frightened, not at all.  Taking a deep breath, and closing her eyes, she hopped off the Bridge and was immediately surrounded, everyone welcoming her at once.  The birds above were all singing their best songs. It was all amazing!

Misty moved away from the others, to the edge of the meadow.  “Mama?”  She purred with all her might.  “She’s here with us, and she’s okay.  We will teach her how to send her thoughts to her mama just like we do.  Andrew says we are not to worry about the rest, that everything will be okay in the fullness of time.  I don’t know what he means, but he always seems to be right.

“I love you, Mama ... “

As Andrew faded from view, he marveled again at the bonds between these creatures and the people they lived with. He had often wished he could ...

“ANDREW! You KNOW better!”

If you listened closely, you could almost hear angel laughter ....

©Rose Scott

Laverne

 Pepper and Mouse were snoozing in the afternoon sun, when they were interrupted by a scratching sound.  And another sound they couldn’t identify.  As they awoke and looked at each other, not sure how both of them dreamed the same thing, they noticed the source of the odd sounds.  It was a chicken, scratching in the soft earth, and clucking quietly.

“Did I wake you?” She asked, though not sorry, as it had been her intent.  She needed answers. “Are you in charge of things here?”

Mouse giggled at that, and studiously licked a paw to avoid having to answer.  She knew Miss Pepper often THOUGHT she was in charge.  The others lovingly called her “Sergeant Pepper” from time to time. 

“Well, yes, I guess,” she answered, looking around to see if anyone would challenge her.  “You’re Beauty, aren’t you? You came to us last week?”

“I am.  And I don’t know how any of this works, but you see, I’m feeling kind of weird. Like I ought to be DOING something about something, but I don’t know what.”

With a startled oof, she was scooped up, and deposited on the lap of the person? Angel? She had met when she first got here. When she didn’t know was where “here” was.  

Mouse and Pepper giggled.  “You’ll get used to that.  Or not.  Andrew hears our thoughts before we even think them sometimes. And he’s always where we need him to be, and then he takes us where WE need to be, and it all works out.  Eventually.”

As Andrew stroked the beautiful feathers, Beauty calmed down.  He produced chicken size treats from a pocket, and kitty treats from another.  Beauty wondered just how many pockets he had.

“Oh, enough, never worry?”

“Huh?” If a chicken could blush ... “I didn’t say anything ...”

“You don’t have to.  He knows what you’re thinking, before you think it,” Pepper explained.  

Mouse piped up, “What you are feeling is that another comes soon from your earth family.  Maybe you would like to be there for her?”

“What happened?” Beauty asked.

“One of your Christie’s chickens developed a problem that earth science couldn’t fix, and so Christie is sending her here to us.  I think if you look toward the creek you might see her?”

Beauty scrambled off Andrew’s lap, and headed toward the creek, just as a new chicken appeared out of nowhere.  “Laverne? Is that you?”

Laverne looked up to see her friend coming toward her as fast as a chicken can go.  “Beauty! Where are we? You’re here too! Where is here?”

“We’re in the meadow, by the creek, and there’s the rock and that’s Andrew sitting on it, and the cats won’t hurt us, and then we go to a bridge, and then we jump off, and there’s other animals, but the foxes won’t hurt us, and He knows when even a sparrow falls and ....”

Andrew’s sides shook with laughter.  It was always fun to watch a newly arrived critter meet another. The explanations were perfect!!

The two chickens went back to the rock where Andrew sat, composing himself.  He reached into a pocket and produced more snacks as the two birds warily watched the cats sitting beside him.

“What is this place?” Asked Laverne.

”Everything that Beauty told you is true, though there’s a little more to it than that.  When the earth was new, our Creator made all the birds of the air, the animals on land, and the people who were supposed to care for them.  He was pleased.  Then, when the people stopped caring about themselves, or anything else on the earth, the Creator washed it all off, except for two of every living thing.  He was a little ashamed of his anger, and so he made a promise that He would never do that again, and he set a beautiful rainbow in the clouds as a sign of that promise,” Andrew explained.

Pepper added “And then we cross that rainbow, which is really a bridge, and we wait for our people, and when they come we all go through the Great Gates to be together for all time.”

“Come, the others are waiting for us ....”. And with that, a chicken tucked under both arms, two cats at the Angel’s feet, all of them vanished ...

....and appeared on the Bridge.  Pepper and Mouse hopped off, as Andrew set the two chickens down at his feet.

“Now it’s your turn! You must accept the Promises the Creator made to all of us:  That He would know when even a tiny sparrow fell.  So, jump off the Bridge!”

Maggie often helped the smaller creatures at this point, as her lovely golden retriever fur made a soft landing! She wagged her tail, and said “I”m ready!”

The two chickens tumbled off the Bridge onto Maggie’s back, and then slid to the ground. There were introductions all around, the two wide-eyed chickens trying to take it all in.  There were foxes, and deer, cats, dogs, birds of more colors than even there Rainbow.  As he faded from view Andrew thought again about these wonderful animals and birds he had come to love as his own.  They were a family, they were HIS family.

Mouse slipped away from the others and went to the edge of the Meadow.  “Mama, they’re ok, they’re here with us ... tell Cristie, ok?”

The woman smiled in her sleep.  All was well ....

©Rose Scott

Tig

Stormy hunted for Misty, his new friend, with a troubled look on his face.  He’d only been here a day or so, and there was so much to learn. Spotting her snoozing in the morning sun, he trotted to her, and licked a folded ear.

“Mmmm, that feels good.”  Misty opened an eye to see who was there. “Stormy!  You’re up early, what’s happening?”

“I feel funny.  Kind of tingly.  Like I ought to be knowing something.”

“Ah.  Familiar thing.  Boy, you’re going to get a crash course in all this stuff!  Andre....”

“Hi sweetheart, you called?”

“Dang it, Andrew, give a girl a break! I didn’t even finish calling your name and you’re here.” Misty flounced herself down, trying not to be peeved at him.

Storm looked from Misty, to the Angel, and back to Misty. “I don’t understand one bit what’s happening.”

Andrew scoped him up and settled on “council rock” as the kitties had named it some time ago.  “I know what you are experiencing, and it was inevitable that you would, just hoped we’d have a little longer to bring you up to speed on how things work!”

Soothed by the angel’s touch, he said “I was all tingly.  And my nose whiskers twitched. But I didn’t twitch them. They just TWITCHED.”

Andrew chuckled. Not at him, but at his description.

“Another comes, from where you were. Perhaps we should greet him! Would you like to do that?”

“But how will I know where he is? Or who it is? Or when he’s coming?”

“Look over by the creek! I think you might find who you’re looking for.”

Sure enough, there sat a grey and white tabby, doing the familiar kitty stretch.  He had been in a wire box, and then he went to a place where people touched him, and then he got sleepy, and then he woke up here, wherever “here” is.  But as with all cats, the first lessen they learn as little kittens is “when in doubt, wash”.  SO, he did just that.  First one paw, then the other, and scrubbed behind his ears as well.  Hearing the creek’s noises, it occurred to him he was thirsty, so he padded to the edge, and lapped the cool water.  “MY is that good!” He thought. Much better than the water in puddles!

He turned around to take stock of the situation he found himself in, and saw a familiar kitty trotting toward him.

“Storm!  You’re here too!  But where’s HERE?” He asked.

“I don’t understand it all myself yet, but come with me, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

The two trotted toward Andrew and Misty.  “This is Andrew, he’s an angel. And this is Misty. I’m not exactly sure if she’s an angel too but here they are, and they’ll explain, because I’m still confused.”

Andrew picked up the tabby and settled him on his lap.  “Tig, is it? I think that’s what Storm called you.”

“Yessir, I’m Tig. Short for Tiger. There was a nice lady taking care of us, and then I went somewhere,  and fell asleep, and woke up over there. And here’s Stormy, but he died a few days ago ....”

As the pieces fell into place, Tig grew silent.  If Stormy is here, yet Stormy died days ago, then am I dead too?

Andrew comforted the confused kitty.  He could hear Tig’s thoughts, but gave him time to sort them out a little himself.

Misty broke the silence, “Storm came to us a few days ago, and now you’re here, and now we go to the Bridge, and then we jump off, and we wait for our families to come and then we go through the Gate!”

Andrew couldn’t stifle the laughter.  Tig looked from Misty to Storm, and then to Andrew, totally confused.

”She’s right, I guess that’s the Readers’ Digest version.”  As the puzzled cats looked at him, he continued.  “You see, when first the Creator made the earth, and all the plants and animals that live upon the earth, everything was beautiful.  Then Man started doing things that made the Creator mad, and in that anger, He washed everything off the earth,  He saved two of everything however, and when He got over being angry, he made a promise that he would never do that again.  He created a beautiful rainbow, a token of his promise, that He would provide a place for all of us for when our number of days upon earth had been done.

“This rainbow is a beautiful bridge.  All the living creatures who have died have had to cross that bridge, thereby accepting the Promise made to them.  Critters who had been pets will wait for their families to come and be reunited, and then go through the Great Gate into Heaven.”

Tig thought about that for a minute.  “But what if you didn’t have a family?  What if you were a bunny or a fox?  What if you were a homeless kitty?”

“He knows when even a sparrow falls,” replied the angel.  “Come. the others are waiting for us.” With that Andrew picked up Storm, and with a cat under each arm, and Misty close against his gown, they vanished ....

.... only to appear again on a beautiful bridge, made of every color of the rainbow.  Misty hopped down to join her friends.  Andrew set Storm and Tig down upon the Bridge.”

“I already jumped off when I got here, but I’ll jump with you if you’re scared,” offered Storm. Tig looked in utter amazement at the gathering of animals below him. Cats, dogs, birds, wild life, as far as he could see.

“You’re sure about this?” He asked.  “But who will WE meet?”

“Why, Kerry, of course! She took care of us and saw to it we were fed, and warm.  She knows about this place.”

Tig thought about that for a moment.  They hadn’t been “pets”, living in the house, sleeping on the beds, but there was that person who seemed to love them, who took care of them.  “If you’re sure, then I’m ready.”

With that, Tig and Storm jumped off the bridge and were met with nosie rubs and purrs from the waiting cats, and all the others.

As Andrew faded from sight he thought again about the bonds these creatures had with man. Some lived the life of luxury in man’s homes, others were cared for but allowed to run free.  Once again he marveled at the animals’ ability to grasp all that the Creator wanted them to understand.  It was as it should be.  As he looked  back, he saw Misty move away from the crowd to the edge of the meadow.

“Mama? Tell Kerry Tig and Storm are here with us, and they’re okay.  They have much to learn but we will teach them.  Tell her not to worry ....”

... and as the clock struck 3, the woman typed ....

©Rose Scott

Storm ...

“Um, Andrew?”  Misty knew their angel was always in hearing distance of even the softest of whispers, and today was no exception.

“Yes dear one,” he replied.

“How do you DO that?” she asked, as she realized she was no longer basking in the sun with the others but was now on his lap as he sat on the rock the others had dubbed “Council Rock”.  Slightly flustered, she studiously scrubbed a paw. (“When in doubt, wash” had been one of the first lessons she had learned as a kitten. Not only hygienic, it also gave a moment to compose oneself in odd situations.)

Andrew stroked the little Scottish Fold. He enjoyed his charges so much, and had learned much from them. “Something on your mind?”

“Mama was reading on the writie box this morning, and was sad. A barn kitty had died. Would he have known how to get here? Can he be with us? Where do I go to find him?”

Andrew chuckled. Misty hadn’t been here all that long but she was quick to learn and always full of questions. Today was no exception!

“You forgot the most important thing!”

“Huh?”

“That our Creator knows when even a sparrow falls.  Look over by the creek!”

And as she turned to look, Andrew closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. There in the lush grass by the creek bed was a gray cat Misty had not seen before, just waking up. He stood up and stretched: first reaching as far forward with his front feet, then as far back as his back feet could reach. Then, as all cats do, he sat with tail curled around him, and washed his paw. Then he scrubbed his face with that paw, and repeated the process with his other front paw. Having finished with his ablutions, he padded softly to the waters edge for a drink. ‘My but this is good,’ he thought, so much sweeter than the puddles he’d find after a rain. Satisfied, he turned to take stock of things.

There was no barn in sight. Just a beautiful meadow, and over by a grove of trees a huge rock. On that rock sat a man, well, he looked like a man but he was dressed rather oddly, and on his lap sat a tabby cat with a white shirtfront and curiously bent ears. Storm trotted toward them cautiously.

He wasn’t afraid at all, though common cat sense dictated he should be. “Merow ?”

 “Hi, I’m Misty, and this is Andrew, and you’re okay, because He knows you’re here, and there’s lots of food, and it never gets cold, and ...”

That did it. Andrew loved these characters so much, especially when they got carried away explaining things. Laughing, “Misty is right but let’s back up and start over,” he said, reaching a hand toward the gray cat, with a tasty treat for him.

“All of the Creator’s creatures have a set time of days on the earth. When one has completed those days, Heaven’s Gates are opened.

“Some creatures live with man in his home as companions, others live as wildlife, away from man. Some are in between, like yourself. But all have been promised a life hereafter. Your role was to help maintain the balance between the wild and the domestic.

“Your work on earth has come to an end. Now you are here, where you will never be cold or hungry or alone again.”

 “So now we take Stormy to the Bridge?”

“Yes!”  With that, tucking Misty under one arm, and scooping up the other kitty to be held under his other arm, the three of them faded from sight ...

... and appeared on a beautiful Bridge made of every color of the rainbow. Andrew put Misty down first. Holding the gray in his arms, he spoke.  “Look before you!”

Blinking in amazement he saw cats and dogs, foxes and rabbits, owls and mice, birds of more colors than he had ever seen. “What IS this place?”

Misty hopped off the Bridge to join the others. A dainty grey and white kitty spoke: “Welcome! You have heard from Andrew, an angel of death, that your life on earth has ended. This is not a sad thing! For now you must accept the promise and covenant our  Creator made for all of us, that we would join Him and live forever here, where there is no pain, no sadness.

“The last thing you must do is accept that promise and jump down from there.  We will teach you the rest.”

The gray cat looked up at Andrew for confirmation. With a nod and a warm smile, he kissed the top of Storm's head and set him gently down on the Bridge. With one last look up at the angel, he closed his eyes tight, took a deep breath and jumped.

As Andrew faded from sight he smiled at the group below. It was a lot to take in, when one had not been taught these things as a kitten. But he would learn, and he would be well provided for as all of them were. This was the Great Promise. All was well.

Misty moved away from the others too the edge of the meadow.  “Mama? It’s okay!  Stormy’s here with us and we’re 'splaining it all to him.  Mama? Will you come soon?”

The woman was smiling as she typed ...

©Rose Scott