When Tally and I accomplished all the retriever goals I had set for us, she was retired with friends. Tally and “her boy Ian” were best buddies. She had a ramp into his tree house, she slept on the bed, she barked at Ian’s mom when she fussed at Ian, Tally was in every Christmas family photo, she was a valued member of the family. Understandably when Tally died suddenly on Monday Ian was devastated. One of the things he was having trouble is was, "What happened to Tally now?" So, Ian asked his grandfather, Dub, “Did Tally go to heaven?”
Dub is an elder in his church and the following was his reply to Ian’s question about Tally going to Heaven:
The Bible teaches us that God knows every sparrow. So, surely if he is aware of creatures that do not directly interact with his most loved creation, man, then he would definitely be aware of a creature like, Tally, who had touched so many lives of people He loves. Heaven is the perfect reward for those who have done their best while on earth. Dogs have gone from assisting man in the hunt to being valued and loved companions. I don’t think anyone could have fulfilled their calling on earth better than Tally. I am picturing her in Heaven bringing even further joy to perhaps those children who were taken too young by disease or at the hands of strangers or even their own families.
I also want you to think about why Tally brought us so much joy. She always showed her love, met you at the door, lay quietly at your feet, basked in just being near you, played Frisbee or fetched a ball as if all the cameras at ESPN were on her. Take those lessons to heart. Be excited to see the people you love and who love you even if they were only gone a few minutes. Let your presence be a quiet comfort to those who need it. Take pride in your own skills and perform to the best of your ability. And most importantly remember her final lesson. Those we love are always taken from us too quickly but it can happen with little warning. Remember that when you are tempted to speak harsh words and slam doors at the people who mean the most to you. You may never get a chance to set that right.
When time eases your pain, I pray that you will be forever thankful for the blessing you had by having Tally. I know all your memories will become happy ones.
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I thought these words might be helpful to someone when a child they know asks the same question about heaven and dogs. It has helped me too.
I thought it they were worth sharing.
Carol
Dub is an elder in his church and the following was his reply to Ian’s question about Tally going to Heaven:
The Bible teaches us that God knows every sparrow. So, surely if he is aware of creatures that do not directly interact with his most loved creation, man, then he would definitely be aware of a creature like, Tally, who had touched so many lives of people He loves. Heaven is the perfect reward for those who have done their best while on earth. Dogs have gone from assisting man in the hunt to being valued and loved companions. I don’t think anyone could have fulfilled their calling on earth better than Tally. I am picturing her in Heaven bringing even further joy to perhaps those children who were taken too young by disease or at the hands of strangers or even their own families.
I also want you to think about why Tally brought us so much joy. She always showed her love, met you at the door, lay quietly at your feet, basked in just being near you, played Frisbee or fetched a ball as if all the cameras at ESPN were on her. Take those lessons to heart. Be excited to see the people you love and who love you even if they were only gone a few minutes. Let your presence be a quiet comfort to those who need it. Take pride in your own skills and perform to the best of your ability. And most importantly remember her final lesson. Those we love are always taken from us too quickly but it can happen with little warning. Remember that when you are tempted to speak harsh words and slam doors at the people who mean the most to you. You may never get a chance to set that right.
When time eases your pain, I pray that you will be forever thankful for the blessing you had by having Tally. I know all your memories will become happy ones.
#######
I thought these words might be helpful to someone when a child they know asks the same question about heaven and dogs. It has helped me too.
I thought it they were worth sharing.
Carol
