Tuesday, June 24, 2014

A Good Cry...


Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.
Love, God

My sister Alice posted this on Facebook,  I don't know who the original author is, but I thought we could all use a good cry. 

I remember when our cat Cleo died,  we had a formal burial, while we all cried, Handy Andy wept like a baby.  I can't imagine what will happen when this cat we now have leaves us,  he's such a part of our daily lives.  I didn't miss the cat hairs clean up, but the companionship is irreplaceable.

4 comments:

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

what a kind thing for an anonymous person to do. I'm sure Abbey likes her new home.

Nise' said...

How wonderful! We had a dog named Abby too.

Vicki said...

I saw this posted on FB. It's a very emotional story for anyone who has loved a pet.

Jenny said...

Oh mercy. Dogs dying ... gets me every time. Get God involved with letters from little kids and I'm a goner. RIP precious Abbey and all dogs sorely missed by their humans. xoxo

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