Dogs Are Family: "A man and his dog... - British Heart Fou...

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Dogs Are Family

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star
55 Replies

"A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.

Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up'.The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveller asked.

'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'

'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in..'

'How about my friend here?' the traveller gestured to the dog.

There should be a bowl by the pump.'

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveller filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

'What do you call this place?' the traveller asked.

This is Heaven,' he answered.

'Well, that's confusing,' the traveller said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'" Dogs are family ❤

~Anonymous Author and Photographer

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MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
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55 Replies
Lezzers profile image
Lezzers

As a dog lover that is a great story

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

Good story 🐶

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee

What a perfect place to be, the water pump place, I really would be in heaven there with my dog 😇

080311 profile image
080311

We had a golden retriever who we had to have put down at the age of nearly 17, it broke my heart we had him just as our boys were tots. They all grew up together. That story made me smile so much in the hope that one day maybe just maybe I will be able to walk through that gate that never closed to the pump with my 4 legged friend by my side.

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply to080311

That’s so adorable, can I come with my dog as well ? 🤗🤗🤗🤗

080311 profile image
080311 in reply toFluffybee

Of course Fluffybee to be able to be with him again would be heaven, he was the most wonderful dog the best companion you could imagine. You must feel the same about your dog they become so much part of our lives and family.

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply to080311

Yes I do, I have my dog now who Is so special but I had the most gorgeous yellow Labrador who stuck with me through thick and thin, if I could see her again would mean so much,

Quite sad really but I have an area all the beautiful pets now are, I’ve planted some apt named roses and flowers and a little solar light so I can see where they are buried at night with a bright twinkling star 🌟 makes me smile when I remember them 🤗

They’re truly one of the family and loved so very much 🤗🤗

080311 profile image
080311 in reply toFluffybee

Sad but some how a comfort. Xx

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply to080311

It is 🤗🤗

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply toFluffybee

What a lovely story, I too have a special place in my garden under a tree where my past pets are buried, my son's ashes are there also they were all my family and I like to think of them all being together now. Take care. Ruth

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply tostillaboveground

It really is a special place, just so incredibly sorry about your son, I cannot imagine 🤗🤗🤗

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply toFluffybee

Thank you Fluffybee. He died in a fire in May 2017 it was very difficult to deal with and still is, but he is back home with all our pets and that is a comfort to me. I like to think we will all walk together in Heaven one day. You seem to be a very thoughtful caring person from what I have read on here, Please take care and keep safe. Ruth xx

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply tostillaboveground

Now this is definitely a chin wobble time, that’s just heart wrenching, just so in awe of how you’ve had the strength to go through it and must be still raw.

I know you’ll be together some day, you’ve been through so much and come out the other side.

Biggest hugs 🤗 🤗🤗🤗

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply toFluffybee

Thank you I am feeling those hugs you sent me. Have a wonderful Christmas despite the covid. Ruth

080311 profile image
080311 in reply tostillaboveground

That’s so heartbreaking, so very sorry for your loss. No parent should have to bury a child, it’s got to be the hardest grief to bare. We lost our Grandson, the grief that my son and daughter-in-law had to endure was so hard to see. I send you big hugs and a wish for a happy Christmas.

Pauline x

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply to080311

Thank you Pauline for your kind words.

Magicfairy profile image
Magicfairy in reply tostillaboveground

Extra special love sent to you 💙 xxx

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply toMagicfairy

Thank you

Fynndog profile image
Fynndog in reply tostillaboveground

Lovely story yes but so sorry to hear about your son. In your story you’d enter the farm and go to the pump abd your son will be there to hug you, hug from me too.

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply toFynndog

Thank you very much Fynndog, I have had some lovely responses from the wonderful people on this site, it is at this time of year I miss him more than ever. I wish you and everyone a happy Christmas. Ruth

Fynndog profile image
Fynndog in reply tostillaboveground

And the very same to you. Cherish those memories and try not to let them make you sad. Not so easy I know but it’s good to reflect in those happy moments too. . Good health and every happiness in 2021

marypw profile image
marypw in reply to080311

Yes, we had a golden retriever called Barney - the love of my life.I love my current lunatic labradoodle Freddie, but he loves my husband more!

080311 profile image
080311 in reply tomarypw

I know what you mean, my husband was in the merchant navy and while he was away the dog was mine as soon as he walked through the door on leave he used to become his😂

Fynndog profile image
Fynndog in reply tomarypw

I had Tom my jack russell for 15 years. He took 4 layers of my skin and my heart with him. I too have a replacement who loves my husband more, grrr

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

🐶buster says great post.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Millie says a woof of agreement!

🐕

ITSINTHEBAG9 profile image
ITSINTHEBAG9

Just so bloody wonderful. I hope that in many years ALL the animals I walked with on earth walk with me once again ❤.

Edwen_ profile image
Edwen_

It looks like I’m going to Hell then!

stillaboveground profile image
stillaboveground in reply toEdwen_

No just get a pet

Magicfairy profile image
Magicfairy in reply toEdwen_

Any spiders in the house? They’ll do 😊

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply toMagicfairy

Oh magicfairy 🤭🤭

No no no no no not spiders that would be terrible !!!!! They’re not fluffy and cuddly and not pleased to see you when you come home, !!!!!! Lol

Magicfairy profile image
Magicfairy in reply toFluffybee

😂😂😂, but fluffy, some are really fluffy especially the big ones, I hope you are kind to them, and tell them to have a nice day when putting them out of the house 😉

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply toMagicfairy

Oh dear !!!! Sadly I k ow they’re fluffy and the huge ones have pincers on the go, pointy knees at the ready to run over my bare feet, no wonder I’ve got a heart problem, they’re massive here in Norfolk, strong long legs !!!!! I do wish them good morning but not in the way you would, they get put outside about a mile down the road not so far now with problems with walking. Has a cat once that ate spiders, she got one and had it’s legs wiggling out of her mouth then jumped up to see me!!!!! That was a hideous experience 😇😇

Magicfairy profile image
Magicfairy in reply toFluffybee

🤣😂xxx

Alf01 profile image
Alf01

That's just made me cry. My best friend Alfie passed away on Tuesday. He was 14 and followed me everywhere like a shadow. Miss him so much. What a beautiful piece.

Lancslass66 profile image
Lancslass66 in reply toAlf01

I know exactly how you're feeling cat or dog they're your family and are deeply loved. Sending hugs

Alf01 profile image
Alf01 in reply toLancslass66

Thank you, means alot. Xx

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Photo added...

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply toMichaelJH

Love that photo, didn’t think it was there before, thank you for that lovely post 🤗

Badger24 profile image
Badger24

We had a boxerdor he’s name was Marcus.he was like a son we had to have him put down in April he was 12years old .we loved him so much I think about him every day

Pinkrobin profile image
Pinkrobin

Lovely post- may I share it with another group?

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toPinkrobin

Feel free...

Badger24 profile image
Badger24 in reply toPinkrobin

Of course you can

Badger24 profile image
Badger24 in reply toPinkrobin

I have put a picture of Marcus on my profile picture.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toBadger24

Bonnie lad, great face! I'm partial to Boxers and all the mixes so I might just be a wee bit prejudiced towards thinking yours a handsome fellow.

You must miss him terribly. My last Boxer went to the Bridge in February 2007 aged 14 and I still miss him, so much so I can't bring myself to think about another. We have a cat now, a 15 going 5 Siamese-Abyssinian mix who thinks he's a dog (plays fetch, follows my husband room to room and quite happily walks on a lead and harness).

Badger24 profile image
Badger24 in reply toSunnie2day

We have a cat now she is my son’s.

Valebird profile image
Valebird

Love it , all my dogs and cats are family

Lancslass66 profile image
Lancslass66

We had to put our beloved 15 year old cat to sleep today and we're heartbroken so this story is a sign x

Tombob profile image
Tombob

Do they take cats too

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

Right, that made me blub. Thank-you:)

Treeclimber62 profile image
Treeclimber62

They certainly are I miss you finn lad

Lovely story I hope Iget to see all my pets who have passed over

kefalonia1 profile image
kefalonia1

What a lovely post Michael, the word DOG if you write it backwards spells GOD. says it all really. !!!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Fingers crossed I have two legs when I walk Susie and Jason again... 🤞🚶🐕‍🦺

Wodney1966 profile image
Wodney1966

What a lovely story that is my little dog goes everywhere with me my best friend ❤♥

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