All Dogs Go to Heaven

Last month was a difficult month for my family. We lost our family dog and loyal friend Bowser a.k.a. Bow Wow!

Pinky was very fond of him. He was the oldest of eight dogs that live at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. She would always get mad at him because he would eat her food, but she loved him very much.

I like to believe that Bow Wow had a great life! Our family loved him, he roamed free in the backyard and slept in my brother’s room at night. He went on walks, he chased birds, and he stood by my mom when she would feed the bunnies. He stayed with Pinky when she was sleeping and he even put up with her smothering him and her crazy attempts to ride him like a horse.

The truth is, Bow Wow taught us all a lot more than we taught him. It is true when they say, “dog is a man’s best friend!” To be honest, I felt a little guilty for not patting his head enough, for not always making the effort to play with him…but I do cherish the times we did have, especially when he was a pup! Bow Wow was around when Daddy and I started dating, and I’d bring him along for some of our park dates! Good times they were!

I know my family was hit harder though because they lived with him and they cared for him to his very last breath. My first dog was named Molly. I was not as attached to her as I was with Bow Wow, mostly because she was an outside dog, and when we moved out of my grandma’s house we didn’t take her with us. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her to pieces. I came home one day after school and found she sleeping in her dog house, only she wasn’t sleeping, she was gone. As a busy teenager, I felt extreme guilt.

Letting go of Bow Wow was different. He was sick and in pain, and our family had to make the decision to let him rest in peace. It happened so fast, and it’s not something I wish on anybody. Letting go of a loved one is never easy, that is true. I also like to believe that all dogs go to heaven, just like the movie. They do good and they are God’s gift to man kind. We love you Bow Wow and you will always be in our hearts!

Here is a poem that was given to our family that really helped comfort our hearts!

Don’t Grieve For Me For Now I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Anon