Pets in heaven...

[Tarheel Tink]

My boss, a veterinarian, just celebrated his 35th year in business. We had a floating day-long reception and he ran a quarter page ad/letter in the local paper. A portion of the letter discussed how many times people ask him "do you think my pet will be in heaven?". I personally loved his response and wanted to post it for those of us who lose our beloved pets.

"Being a veterinarian has been an ongoing challenge and the good shall far outweigh the bad. When you are there the day they bring the puppy or kitten in so full of joy, it's thrilling and as they grow you love them like your own. Sadly, the hardest part is standing there as my clients, who become like family, say goodbye to the pet they loved so dearly. Over the last 10 years since being born again by God, I had many people ask if I thought dogs and cats went to heaven. As I studied, I realized God told Noah to build the ark, and He brought the animals in. He commanded men to repent, but He saved the animals! If all He was going to save were 8 souls, it wouldn't have taken 120 years to build a boat for 8! Also when God created them, He saw that is was good (Gen. 1:21-22). As well, the Lord says He does not change his mind, so it gives me great peace to believe that He created pets with the capacity to love and said His creation was good, then what comfort it is to trust in His eternal sovereignity!"

 

[DisneyFed]

 

[mickaholic4077]

Way cool!!

 

[Muushka]

I agree 100% Tink. And it is not just because you are a Groupie from NC!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Amen ...I love your boss.and you for sharing this with us..FYI-we have 8 dogs a cat and a horse if we get a really bad rainy season this year there may be another Ark building going on

 

[lynxstch]

within the last month and a half..I thank you for sharing this..and thank your boss for such an eloquent answer..made my eyes tear up reading it..and thinking of my beloved cats as members of 'that ark in Heaven'..
Thank you..so much!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Amen ...I love your boss.and you for sharing this with us..FYI-we have 8 dogs a cat and a horse if we get a really bad rainy season this year there may be another Ark building going on

 

[ead79]

This has to be one of the most well-reasoned statements about this topic I've ever read. Makes sense to me!

 

[mrs.sammich]

With tears in my eyes, and a furball sleeping on my lap, I just love it...

 

[Anjelica]

Putting our first born/baby to sleep last year (our 13 year old Siberian Husky) Shay was one of the hardest moments I think I will ever endure. I can't imagine the agony some of these vet's see - even ours could see we were in horrible pain to even come to that decision.

Sounds like your vet is one of a kind!!!

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us" - Robert Louis Stephenson

 

[EeyoreEma]

Thank you for sharing that. We just lost one of our sweet fur babies last week, and this made me tear up yet again.

 

[Planogirl]

Albert Payson Terhune wrote many books about his Collies. He once said:

"I wonder if it is heretical to believe that when at last my tired feet shall tread the Other Shore, a madly welcoming swirl of exultant collies—the splendid Sunnybank dogs that have been my chums here—will bound forward, circling and barking around me, to lead me Home!"

 

[mlittig]

That is so beautiful and very heartwarming Thanks for sharing

 

[disneymarie]

"Being a veterinarian has been an ongoing challenge and the good shall far outweigh the bad. When you are there the day they bring the puppy or kitten in so full of joy, it's thrilling and as they grow you love them like your own. Sadly, the hardest part is standing there as my clients, who become like family, say goodbye to the pet they loved so dearly. Over the last 10 years since being born again by God, I had many people ask if I thought dogs and cats went to heaven. As I studied, I realized God told Noah to build the ark, and He brought the animals in. He commanded men to repent, but He saved the animals! If all He was going to save were 8 souls, it wouldn't have taken 120 years to build a boat for 8! Also when God created them, He saw that is was good (Gen. 1:21-22). As well, the Lord says He does not change his mind, so it gives me great peace to believe that He created pets with the capacity to love and said His creation was good, then what comfort it is to trust in His eternal sovereignity!"

Thank you for sharing, so comforting to hear it explained this way.

 

[Disneyland1084]

"Being a veterinarian has been an ongoing challenge and the good shall far outweigh the bad. When you are there the day they bring the puppy or kitten in so full of joy, it's thrilling and as they grow you love them like your own. Sadly, the hardest part is standing there as my clients, who become like family, say goodbye to the pet they loved so dearly. Over the last 10 years since being born again by God, I had many people ask if I thought dogs and cats went to heaven. As I studied, I realized God told Noah to build the ark, and He brought the animals in. He commanded men to repent, but He saved the animals! If all He was going to save were 8 souls, it wouldn't have taken 120 years to build a boat for 8! Also when God created them, He saw that is was good (Gen. 1:21-22). As well, the Lord says He does not change his mind, so it gives me great peace to believe that He created pets with the capacity to love and said His creation was good, then what comfort it is to trust in His eternal sovereignity!"

The Disboard needs to make "like" buttons like they have on FB. This is beautiful.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I like this...

I Stood By Your Bed Last Night


I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew, in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

- Author unknown

 

[Pea-n-Me]

And this is one of my all time favorites. I clipped the column when it appeared and have given copies to friends experiencing pet loss for many years. (I'm so glad I finally found it online so I don't have to type it out again.)

This article, written by Reverend Dale E. Turner, appeared in Ann Landers' column September 23, 1990:

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 8 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 experience that provided this answer.

Our wonderful dachshund, Greta, died and we were eager to bring another dog into our home. We went to the pound to get a 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."

Whenever I came home, Pick was there to greet me. I'd say, "Pick, you've got it made. Other animals work for their keep. A canary sings, cows give milk, chickens lay eggs, but you don't have to do anything but hang around."

After 14 years, Pick became very ill 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. It healed my sorrow. Perhaps it will help others. I'd like to share it.

"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."

**Courtesy of Ann Landers, Creators Syndicate, and Reverend Dale E. Turner

http://www.yourspca.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6485

 

[Tarheel Tink]

And this is one of my all time favorites. I clipped the column when it appeared and have given copies to friends experiencing pet loss for many years. (I'm so glad I finally found it online so I don't have to type it out again.)

Okay, crying after reading these 2 quotes. They are wonderful!

 

[lucas]

I like this...

Pea-n-Me, thanks for posting the quotes. The 1st one especially got to me. It really hit on a few things I've been feeling lately. It made me cry so much.... I really miss our doggie.

 

[DisneyFed]

Really guys....there's enough "dust" in the air here in the desert without reminding me of my old sidekick who waits for me at home with DW and DS....

"Saehdie", our Golden Retriever misses me as much as my two year old does