By Florida Bill "To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious
afternoon is to be back in Eden where doing
nothing was not boring--it was peace
As I was reading of the death of Evangelist Billy Graham, a truly great man, I looked into the faces of my two Cairn terriers, Sammi Smith, 10, and Wendy, 8. These two girls are getting up there, and like it or not, someday they will be checking out.
But then, we are all going to be leaving for places beyond some day. When the Rev. Mr. Graham was asked if his dog would go to heaven, he answered: "God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there,"
Not too long ago, I saw a short piece on a Cairn terrier page on Facebook about a 17-year-old special little guy named Sparky who would be leaving his home soon for places unknown and beyond. Left behind with indescribable sadness and grief will be the human family who raised and loved him.
Over for all time? Maybe not. The Rev. Mr. Graham is not the only person who predicted that our furry friends will be with us in the hereafter. Other authority on this subject has come from Pope Francis who made a visit to the United States in 2015. We heard his voice calling for peace in the world and for love and respect for all men. But in another message, the Pontiff observed that our four-footed friends are not lost forever and that "Paradise is open to all of God's creatures."
Actually, Francis is not the only Pope who has said that beloved pets do not make a permanent departure. Some years ago, Pope Paul VI, while consoling a broken-hearted little boy whose pet had died, told the youngster that he would again see his dog in the "eternity of Christ." His words were very comforting to the boy; and yes, those words resonate in the same way with us old timers.
The great American icon and humorist Will Rogers was a man who had a special affinity for four-footed family members. And who knows, Will may this day be tossing the ball to his canine friend up there beyond the clouds. Before he left, he was quoted as saying that "if there are no dogs in heaven, then, when I die, I want to go where they went." And of course, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of "The Secret Life of Dogs," was asked in an interview if she believed that all dogs go to heaven. Her answer was logic at its best: "If there are no dogs there, it is not heaven."
Just what is this story and legend of the Rainbow Bridge? Neither Pope Francis or Pope Paul mentioned the legend of the bridge, but I am betting that they are subscribers to it. Accordingly, when a pet dies, it goes to a meadow and is restored to perfect health, and spends its days running and playing with other dogs, with plenty of fresh food and water. The only thing that is not perfect is that he misses his owner left behind on earth. When the owner dies, he approaches the meadow and it is at that moment that his pet sees him and their eyes meet. Excited, the pet, with his little legs churning at top speed, runs to the owner's outstretched arms licking his face in joy, and side by side they cross the Rainbow Bridge together into heaven, never again to be separated. I love that story, and yes, Sparky will be among the residents having fun and waiting.
Sammi Smith and Wendy play a huge part in the lives of me and my wife of 46 years, Christine. We don't travel too much because we are a bit resistant to leaving "the kids" behind at a kennel. Suffice it to say, they occupy an important spot in our household. Often I will look into those faces and wonder who is running things; we or them; and then I realize, it is "them."
Years ago I was a soldier in Korea for some 16 months. Soldiers were permitted to have a dog, and I had a small four footed pal I named 'Maggie." She ate the leftovers from meals and hung out in my barracks, finding security in the sleeping bag on my bed. When I walked guard duty, she was there helping to keep watch during the black of night. When my tour in Far East Asia came to a close, I left in the back of an Army truck and my final vision of the post was "Maggie" sitting by the side of the road. Unable to take Maggie with me, I often wonder about her final days, and, as a believer in the hereafter and the legend of the bridge, am confidant that I will see that little lady again.
As to "Sparky" who provided many years of unconditional affection and good times for his family, he may not be checking out permanently. "See ya again" Sparky, and same goes for all of the other four footed companions which have departed after injecting that special love into a home.
XXX
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