Doggie Heaven

Introduction

Do dogs go to heaven when they die? Of course they do, don't be silly. For as long as I can remember, I have heard that when doggies die, they go to a special place made just for them and God takes care of them forever and ever.
These are stories about the little (some are big, and some are tiny) creatures that we have shared our times and hearts with that have moved on to a new place called "Doggie Heaven"
The names are fictional but somewhere, sometime these stories really happened.
Is it a True story ? If you recognize someone, then it definitely could be.

About the author;
Originally from Oklahoma I now reside in Ohio.
I have had pets from snakes, to possums, to horses, to armadillos, but the fondest and dearest memories are from the magnificent Canines.
I dedicate this story to our beloved Ruffles, an Australian and Border Collie mix.

"Ruffles" 1995 - 2008

Having been without a dog for several months, you know when one is taken, you don't just run out and buy a replacement. No one does that, but after a season, amazing things can happen, such as the day we were riding our bicycles along an old dirt road, rounding a bend to our surprise, behold a "pile" of puppies lay in the middle of the road!
As I neared the group of "warm and fuzzies" sleeping all nestled together, one of them raised her head and from several feet away our eyes met and she "leaped" out of that pile and scurried towards me. It was like she was saying,"Oh, you have come for me ?"
I reached down and lifted her into my arms, looked into her beady eyes, smelled her puppy breath, (I love that stuff) it was love at first sight. With one arm I peddled back home and we began a new chapter in life that remains one of my very favorites.
Come with me now to a secret place that can only exist in our hearts and imagination, "Doggie Heaven".

Why not ? We can imagine things that are unimaginable
and we can imagine things that are impossible or we can imagine ~ "Fluffy" said to "Molly", I don't know how
long I have been here but I remember a time when I had peoples".
Yes said "Molly" I remember "peoples" too. Fluffy is a small white long haired mixed breed, Molly a dark brown bull dog type.
The night was cold, damp and dreary, the warmth of my home could only be felt in my mind. I strayed too far from "my people" and now have lost my way. hungry and all alone, the numbness began to saturate my bones.
The fears that come with the night kept me awake until the light of the new morning arrived.
Voices, I hear voices in the distance perhaps they have been searching for me. Oh Lord let my people find me I miss them so much. If you will let me return once again I will be a better dog, I will even be nicer to that darned cat.
But it wasn't meant to be - the approaching storm would soon arrive and, well I can only imagine what the rest of my life would have been like, if it was just more of the same, that would be perfect for me. Only nine years, in "peoples time", that would be sixty-three years in doggie time, so I suppose I had a good life, if they miss me half as much as I miss them, that is proof enough that there is a blessed bond that will remain for ever and ever.
On a happier note, a new arrival today at the big doggie park in the sky a place also known by many as "Rainbow Bridge".
If you are not familiar with Rainbow Bridge, it has been described as an idyllic place where pets go to wait to be rejoined with their masters. Ample sunshine, green grass and kibbles are provided, and they are transformed back into their youth, without spot or blemish from their time spent on earth.
The new kid on the block is Sadie, a beagle with an interesting past. Nothing is known of Sadie’s earlier life, only from the time she was rescued by a hiker who found her discarded, sick and near death. Possibly abandoned because of her health problems. Her new master already with other pets, found room in his heart for yet another of God's creatures to go far beyond the call of duty and provide the veterinarians care and extra attention her condition would require for the remainder of her days. Truly remarkable when he could have carried her to the nearest shelter where she would be unadoptable and euthanized in a short time.
Sadie’s tenure was brief, but the bonds of love are unmeasurable and stronger than we can imagine.

"Fluffy" belonged to an elderly woman who lived alone in a modest setting, she provided companionship, and in so doing kept her enchanted with her personality. The amazing thing was when the lady passed away, there was Fluffy by her side, they had taken the journey together.
Where on earth do these creatures get their "personalities" ? Not particularly a believer in reincarnation, but it is something to ponder, that perhaps doggies inherit traits from experiences beyond what we can know.
There seems to be no end to the range of characters that can be discovered in these creatures. Also the abilities that they can possess.
My first dog experience was short lived, I was about five or six when dad brought home this spotted little puppy and I aptly named him "Spot". A short time later we had traveled to the city to visit friends. Spot wandered off and the remainder of the day was spent scouring the neighborhood asking every person we met, the mailman, the trash man, everyone but no one had seen Spot. With darkness approaching we were forced to abandon the search, returning home without him.
I certainly remember the hurt as it was a traumatic experience for a small boy.
I had a baby sister who was still crawling when "Chow" entered my life. A full blood Chow, with red fuzzy hair became my next friend and playmate. The interesting thing about him was he would lie and watch us play in the yard, like a guardian, when my little sister would try to maneuver towards the street, Chow would rush to her and knock her down. She would scream as though she was being murdered but he did not harm her but simple informed her she had reached the limit of her domain.

Not satisfied with the "Rainbow Bridge" concept?
Do you search for a deeper understanding of things?
I have personally researched this subject from many different sources and perspectives and have arrived at an explanation that satisfies my soul. Simply put, on the acceptance that God created all things as it is written in his word, we can assume that our four legged friends came from him and upon the completion of their mission on earth have returned to him, to be absorbed into his heart of love forever. The circle of Life.

Words alone cannot describe or define the mysteries of the bonds of love and affection our pets possess. There are countless examples of this magic quality such as a dog named "Pete". He befriended an elderly man who spent his days in the local park, just amusing himself with nature, watching the squirrels frolicking and the pigeons relentlessly pecking for food. Pete appeared one day and immediately displayed his affection for the old man by lying at his feet. I would love to have been privy to some of the conversations they had together.
In time when the old man passed away, Pete would be seen at his grave, every day, for fourteen years, until he also departed this world. One has to be in awe of such a powerful force that exists here with us.
I still talk to Ruffles even after two years, I will be thinking about her and find myself speaking out loud
"I love you pretty girl and miss you so much".
Who knows if she can hear me or not? I am not crazy but if someone overheard me they might suspect that something wasn't right. Never the less, I will continue to talk to her because I often feel her presence and I hope that continues from now on.

Thank God for memories. We can recall the warmth and the closeness of our beloved pets at will. Like a library, shelves filled with books, that is what we do after their time has come. The connection is not broken but only extended to another dimension. Such are the mysteries of life. The Love endures all things and the connections we made are preserved forever.

I believe that we can honor our little friends by opening our hearts to other creatures in need. After a season, of mourning if you will, I have this expectation that another wonderful character will enter my life, and I am not compelled to go "window shopping" but simply remain open to what the future will bring.

Copyright 2011 g. mattingly