In Memory of  the beautiful animals that were entrusted in our care who called the SPCA in Cattaraugus County their last forever home

Georgie passed away in his sleep on June 2, 2010.  Georgie has been with us for 10 years and all of us here at the SPCA will miss him.  He had quite a following at the SPCA and he knew how to work the system, extra treats, lots of love and attention, and all those extra special walks.  In honor of Georgie, I thought  the poem below would be appropriate.  Georgie came to the SPCA in 2000 and passed away on June 2, 2010

Rescue Rainbow Bridge Poem

(Author Unknown)

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.  But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

 

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

 

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross  over, the happier he would be.

 

But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

 

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

 

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.

 

You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge.

 

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

 

"Watch, and see" said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

 

"What happened?"

 

"That was a rescuer." The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work.  They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge.

 

"I think I like rescuers," said the first animal.

 

"So does GOD," was the reply.

Allie passed away from cancer on April 5, 2010.  She came to the shelter back in October 2007.   She was picked up as an adult stray who had obviously had numerous litters.  Allie was the most playful and fun loving dog at the SPCA.  Her favorite thing in the world was going swimming.  Unlike all the other dogs, Allie would swim way far out over her head and across the whole pond to retrieve tennis balls.  She loved to go for long walks, play soccer, and cuddle with the workers.  On cold winter nights at the shelter, you would often walk by her kennel and find an employee or volunteer sitting on her Kuranda bed with her, hugging her. 

Everyone said that hugging and holding Allie just brought them so much happiness and warm feelings.  Allie was so energetic and full of life that we didn't truly realize how ill she was until about a week before she died.  Her life before coming to the SPCA had obviously been difficult, and overbreeding dogs can decrease a dog's life expectancy and cause many complications.  One day Allie stopped eating and we took her to the vet, only to find out that she had many tumors in her, including on her heart.  A few days later, she passed away in her sleep.  We all miss her terribly, but we know she is in a better place.  It was a blessing to know Allie, she took care of us even more than we took care of her.  We love you Allie, and someday we will swim in the crystal ponds with you again!

Zion was the one of the shelter's funniest comedians.  An older dog, Zion was found running around Mt. Zion church in Olean, and that is how he got his name.  Zion liked to act like a tough guy when new people would look at him through the kennel.  He would give them a deep, "Wuuuff!", but he turned into a big creampuff once you opened his kennel door and introduced yourself.  Many potential adopters did not know how nice he was, which was pretty much why he spent the rest of his life at the shelter. Zion loved to go for long walks and lunches at Burger King.  We took him to several fundraiser events, and the best day of his life was went he when to the River Rigattta and spent the day walking around the Allegany River and meeting new people.  Zion loved to play ball and goof around in the barn with the volunteers.  This picture is Zion's favorite couch in the lobby to cuddle on.  We miss you Zion, your comical ways and loving nature will always live in our hearts.