Though her angels were just waiting
for her beloved face to appear,
their wait was not too long
before Karen made her way over the Bridge.

 

Print "Waiting" courtesy Rosemary Hurley
Copyright (c) 2000, Rosemary Hurley

A Rescuer at the Rainbow Bridge

Once in a while, the skies are grey at the rainbow bridge
And an old dog, tired and sick, can be seen approaching.
Those waiting at the bridge stand aside,
As they have been restored to youth and vigor
And this dog has not. They know what will happen next.

The sick old dog goes to a part of the lawn where
Several other sad dogs are also waiting and, slowly,
He lies down... for a long patient wait.

A young dog will ask another, "What is happening?
Why is that dog all tattered and sick and
Why is he looking so old, so sad?"
And a more experienced dog will reply,
"That dog had no home, no one to love and
So he has no one to wait for, here at the Bridge.
He cannot cross by himself.
Nobody cared for him when he was alive...
Only a rescuer who took him in until he died."

Oh, how sadly the forlorn pack of dogs lie in the shade.
They know they cannot cross the bridge...
They have no hope.

Many days pass by. The sick old dogs wait and wait
While healthy, young dogs - one after another - are
Embraced by their owners and cross the bridge together.

Then one day, a shaft of golden sunshine
Surrounds an approaching human.
The old dogs all get to their feet and he goes to them.
As he touches each dog, petting their heads lovingly,
One after the other... each dog is transformed!
Youthful and gay, their tails are up and wagging!
Now they surround the man and in a joyous group
They cross the rainbow bridge together.

The young dog asks the more experienced one,
"What happened? How did that human do that?"

The older dog responds, "He was a rescuer!
On earth he took in many dogs who were homeless.
He nursed them and found them new owners and,
To thank him for his work on earth,
God has granted him the pleasure of taking
All those he rescued with him... into Heaven."

Dorothy Christiansen, Lynnlea Shelties of Illinois, 30+ years
ASSA breed mentor, member DWAA

In the words of Rose Keehr on Karen's crossing the Bridge,
leaving behind many who knew her, knew of her, knew of her loving devotion to these Shelties we hold so dear...

"With Karen's passing we have lost a golden person,
and we will be the poorer for her absence.
She leaves behind a legacy of indomitable strength,
indefatigable good cheer,
indestructible hope,
and fathomless kindness to all creatures.
She touched countless lives
and made a difference to each one.
I think that bespeaks a life well lived."

Rest in peace, Karen.