For Pauline: Aka 080311 "A man and his... - British Heart Fou...

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For Pauline

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star
17 Replies

Aka 080311

"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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17 Replies
080311 profile image
080311

oh Michael thank you so much much, it’s as good as I remembered. Would it be ok if I sent it to my sons?

I am so very grateful.

Best wishes Pauline

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to080311

No worries Pauline as it is Anonymous Author and Photographer...

I won't cry, I won't cry I won't cry, pass me a tissue there's something in my eyes........ id rather leave some of my family behind { you know who you are } than any of the animals that have graced my life.

080311 profile image
080311 in reply to

I remembered it from the first time MichaelJH posted it I tried to find it again but couldn’t, like to think John’s Golden Retriever was waiting for him as he always was, when he came home from his trips at sea.

Hope your doing well

Pauline

in reply to080311

Loverly thought Pauline and I am doing ok thank you and wish the very same for you,

Kevin

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6

My dog went over rainbow bridge on Wednesday! We had him 14 years, I am very sad at this time, 😢this gave me a lift thank you Michael.😘

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Beautiful MichaelJH

Pilgrim2 profile image
Pilgrim2

What a lovely story and so poignant currently with an estimated 1million plus unhomed dogs at the moment. Covid started with making me feel much closer to my fellow man, we were all pulling together, more sense of community. But seeing how more and more people are now just throwing away their loyal pets is harrowing and heartbreaking.

Mountwood profile image
Mountwood

Beautiful. Thank you so much. My much loved brother-in-law is on end of life care at home and you have unlocked the tears I needed to shed.

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52

Hopefully there's a cat and a barn owl waiting to take that road with me. 😀

080311 profile image
080311 in reply toMountainGoat52

I am sure there is.

Handel profile image
Handel

Thanks Michael. We appreciate you finding that lovely piece. Lots of love. Jan xxx

Hdev profile image
Hdev

Thank you for a lovely start to my day as I sit here with my Furry friend who has heart failure and a collapsing trachea, neither of which can be “fixed”,,,just finished her meds for the day and now I must take mine,,,,my hubby is near at his computer and we are just starting our day,,the 3 of us,,,,our Abby was given 3-6 months by the vet recently so we are enjoying each day as it comes,,,heart failure for the pup,afib for me and my hubby has a no cure autoimmune vasculitis,,,the story you printed is so beautiful and truly touched my heart,,,,thank you for sharing and making my heart feel full of love ! Each day is a blessing!

Letsallhope1 profile image
Letsallhope1

Rocky and I thank you for this touching story ❤️

Dog in his bed
mcc19and64 profile image
mcc19and64

My Bestie (canine grandson) Bentley. MichaelJH thanks for all the good work you do on our forum.

Aged 13 and on this side of the rainbow
Woodensider profile image
Woodensider

Thank you Michael, that's touched me. We are starting a new journey with a youngster

Colour photo of our pup by the fire
uzininemm profile image
uzininemm

I really didn't need that this morning😭

Though the second place is for me and my old mate Blue who left 5 years ago.

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