Do Dogs Go To Heaven? by the Rev. Dale Turner (1917 – 2006). Looking back across the years I see how important dogs have been in my life. I had been an ordained minister only a few weeks when I received a call from an eight-year-old boy. His dog had been killed by a car. “Mr. Turner”, the lad sobbed, “do you do funerals for dogs?” I didn’t know quite how to respond, but I recalled the Scriptures’ affirmation of God’s knowing when even a sparrow falls. I replied, “Why not?”, and I conducted a little ceremony for the boy’s pet. He was very pleased and then asked, “Is my dog going to heaven?”. I wasn’t prepared for that question, but my love for animals got me through it. I'm sure I made the child feel better. Several years later I had my own personal experience that provided the answer. Our wonderful dachshund, Gretta, died and we were eager to bring another dog into our home. We went to the pound to get the dachshund whose photo had appeared in the paper. By the time we arrived, it had been claimed. Another puppy, sensing our mission, poked her nose through the wire fence. The look in her eyes seemed to say, “Please, pick me”. We did, and we named her Pick. After 14 years, Pick became sick, and there was nothing to be done except put her out of her misery. With a heavy heart I drove her to the vet’s, who did what had to be done. I then went back to my study and wept for hours. A few days later, a parishioner who knew of my grief sent me this poem: “I explained to St. Peter, I’d rather stay here, Outside the pearly gate. I won’t be a nuisance, I won’t even bark, I’ll be very patient and wait. I’ll be here, chewing on a celestial bone, No matter how long you may be. I’d miss you so much, if I went in alone, It wouldn’t be heaven for me.” Rest in peace Stanley Strang 💛 #dogsgotoheaven
snowghoul
blakekathryn
prguitarman
pixelskylines
titsay
jbbartram-illu
areudirty
annaxmalina
kianamaiart
