Re: Every Dog Goes To Heaven By Carol Vito

Dear Frank & Mary:

Thank you for your answer to my e-mail to you. I must say that as a devout Christian, and also an animal lover, I am quite intrigued by your website. Having no human children - my husband & I have animal children. After losing Jake, which broke my heart, I acquired another black male scotty puppy - Captain Jack in July. He's now almost 8 months.. We also have a rat terrier, Cesar who needed a home, and Bonnie, a senior scotty gal, who also needed a home. Along with our 3 dogs - we have birds, fish, and a guinea pig named Chucky.

I have always wished & hoped that my beloved pets - including our family dogs, and 6 cats & birds & even loved toads & fish from my childhood, who have passed on - will be in Heaven. I have in my heart, habored the hope that our beloved animals will share in the victory brought about by our mutual Creator and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately - many Christians and theologians do not share this hopeful belief. I have based my hope on Romans 8:19-22, and also - Colossians 2:20. I also take hope from Hosea 2:18. I have heard many people's ideas on animals in heaven - but being a Christian - I want to have my hope based on God's Word. Anyone can say we'll see our pets again - but I need to have Biblical basis for this to make it real for me.

Do you think that the Lord gives us dreams or 'visions' to confirm that a pet has gone to Heaven? in 1995 when I lost my first scotty Fred - I was inconsolable. The grief was overwhelming, and I was crying for months afterwards. Shortly after Fred died - I remember having a beautiful mental picture that flashed thru my mind. I saw Fred at the Feet of One Whom I took for Jesus. I just the Feet, and a golden robe - like One Who was sitting down, and there was Fred seated, and looking up to Him, and I saw His Hand reach down & pet Fred on the head. The entire picture looked like there was a golden "haze" in front of it - but I know what I saw. I have never forgotten that. But - also several Christian 'friends' insisted that there are no animals in heaven, because they do not have spirits. So - the comfort brought about by that scene was compromised by the naysayers. At least they could have said - "we really don't know" etc., - but they were adamant, and it was very hurtful.

Since my Jake died June14th this year - there seems to have been several 'signs' - one that I first described to you of his profile in the sky & clouds. Then I also had a dream where he just stood there - (in the dream - I was aware that he had passed on) healthy looking- shiny coat, with his eyes twinkling, and his scotty smile that I loved so much. He was just looking up at me with such love in his eyes, gently wagging his tail. We had an incredible bond, and he always had to have me in his sight. During several years of my noctournal panic attacks recently, Jake always was by my side. If I closed the bedroom door to not wake up my husband - Jake would scratch at the door until I let him out. Even after he first got sick -a month or so before he passed away he followed me downstairs - just to 'check up' on me. I have not stopped grieving for him - I was closer to him than any other dog - he was my once-in-a-lifetime boy. The bond grew closer when he got sick, and I did everything I could to get him well. In life he could sometimes be aggressive to me (tried to show me he was 'boss', or mean tempered on occasion - but we understood each other completely, and forgave each other's faults. I just want to share a poem by Jim Willis that I have adopted as my memorial for my Jakey-Bob (one of many loving nicknames for him)

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, my Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend.
Gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
Life measures quality, not length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take this with you...I loved you best. ...............Jim Willis

I can never read thru that poem without tears - as it is just so appropriate for how I feel about him. So - I would appreciate your thoughts on my question concerning - does the Lord allow visitations from our animals to console us in our dreams, or what about that 'mental picture' I had about Fred. I realize that animals were innocent of original sin - but are also subject to death because of it. I would appreciate your thoughts... Thank you & God bless you

In Christ

Karen B

Go on to: Comments by Frank and Mary Hoffman - 31 Dec 2007