The man walked slowly along the beautiful river. The clearness and the sparkles in the water somehow always refreshed his soul. But then again, it was the River of Life, Heaven has a way of making all things beautiful. The man couldn’t hardly think back when he walked the shores of the Missouri river here on earth, those were all a distant memory, the greatness and beauty of heaven overshadowing all that he left behind on earth.
Suddenly he heard a sound in the distance, that shook him out of his beautiful surroundings. A distant memory. Could it be? Is it really?
From over a small hill came a man dressed in white, and beside him, a bounding black and white dog. The man smiled and laughed and let out his ‘whistle.’ At that the dog took off at a dead run, and leapt into the man's arms as he approached. “Quito” he whispered. The loving dog licked his face, the reunion was cherish by both man and dog.
The man in white approached as the man and his dog rolled in the green grass, laughing with a joy only a reunion like this could explain. The man in white spoke as the two laughed on. “She asked him if he wanted to come play with you today. The tears were running down her face, as she had to let him go to come to you. Here there is no sorrow, but on earth, the tears are flowing."
“Is she really sad?” the man asked.
“Yes," said the man in white, “Sadder than you can imagine. For she held onto him as her last connection to you. She cared for him greatly even here when he was fading, and her heart was breaking as she knew he would be leaving her soon.”
“I wish I could see her, and tell her it’s ok. Not to cry anymore, as there’s no tears here.” said the man.
Suddenly a veil was rolled back, and the man could see her on earth. Sitting in her back yard crying, as the raindrops were softly falling all around her.
“Tears from heaven.” she said quietly.
“What is she doing?” the man asked.
“What do you think she’s doing?” the man in white asked.
“Writing. She always loved to write. She could always put on paper, the deep words of her heart.”
“Yes, that’s what she is doing.” said the man in white.
“Can we tell her we love her, and it’s ok?” said the man.
“I’ll tell her, but I think she already knows.”
The scene suddenly changed to earth, and the women sitting alone with tears streaming down her face.
“Thank you Lord for a loyal pet, who loved me, and was always so concerned about me. When one loves deeply, the sorrow is ever so deep too. But I know you can turn my sorrow into dancing, my sadness into joy. But for this moment, I weep, because I just lost my best fur friend I’ve ever had. Have Todd take care of him now up in heaven, and tell, them it really won’t be long, and we’ll all be together.”
With that the woman closed her computer screen, and went back into the house. She saw the dog's water and food dish by the back door, and there was a catch in her throat. This time he’s not coming back, there’s no need for it any more. She emptied the food back into the food bin to give to a friend who has a dog. The water dish she put away, her heart breaking for the empty spot it left.
She looked at the painting she had painted a year ago, of the two of them together. “Well, they're together again,” she said with a tear rolling down her cheek. “Loved you both so very much. You’ll always be in my heart.”
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“Quito” spring of 2006- July 20, 2017. Our beloved border collie.
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| Today I said good bye to the best dog ever! Quito captured the hearts of everyone that met him. This last few years he had retired from being a cattle dog, and had become an excellent 'greeter' at Alive Christian Fellowship. He always made people feel welcome and loved. He cared greatly for those who were hurting, and would often come and lay his head in their lap to give his comfort in the only way he knew. Last night he seizured, and was no longer able to get up and walk. The vet discovered a large mass on his spleen, so large that it had pushed his intestines out of place. This explains his moans in the last month or more and also his dropped appetite. His blood count was low so very possibly he was bleeding internally too. It was the hardest decision of all to say good bye to such a loyal pet. Love you so much Quito. I'm sure Todd is having fun playing with you now. |