Tuesday, October 18, 2011

There Must Be a Heaven

I'm always surprised just how heavy paw prints are, especially when I find the deep crevasse left in my heart when a furry friend passes away.

Rottrover's Gizmo crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday and my heart is aching and my face hurts from the tearful bouts I've had thinking of him and his family today. How brave he was...how his wagger was wagging until the very end. And even though he was in pain, he had a ready smile and lots of joyful kisses for this friend. He was such a special boy. He is missed sorely.
Our sweet friend Gizmo had the most handsome smile ever!!!

I know that many people have specific ideas of Heaven and what it must be like there. I've had evangelical types tell me that there are no dogs in Heaven.

Mabel and Gizmo


I don't know...no one does; but this much I do know. There must be a mighty special place for the loyalest of friends. Only the rarest of friends in this life have made me feel O.K. about being me... and most of them were dogs. I know that all the truly fine things in this life are things my dogs have taught me to love: a beautiful vista, a cool stream, a walkabout with good friends, a simple meal and a safe place to sleep. These are things I enjoy deeply every day but without my dog, they would seem common or uneventful.
Mabel and Gizmo on a rainy hike

My dogs have taught me more about kindness, patience, love, acceptance, forgiveness, joy and parenting than anyone else. They've taught me to laugh, to run with glee and to read minds. Loving a canine has made me a better human.


When I left Gizmo yesterday, I reminded him to tell his big sis Allie hello from me and to please look for my Maggie May and give her one of his special kisses. And last night, I dreamed of those rotten kids playing under a rainbow!

When my time comes, and I find that dogs are not welcome behind Pearly Gates, just be so kind as to give me a map to that Rainbow Bridge.  That's the only Heaven I want to go to. That's where all my friends are.
Gizmo leading the pack on a hike (w/ Ruby, Barticus and Mabel)

20 comments:

Donna said...

Hugs Miss Holly... My Asia girl will be there to befriend Gizmo. And pass that map will ya? That's the only heaven I want to go to as well. Luv and puppy skritches from me and my pack. ~Donna

Berts Blog said...

What a beautiful way to state the facts. I am with you. Show me the way to Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for more insight on sweet Gizmo and th pictures of his happier times.

I hope your pain eases as I hope that for Gizmo's family too.

I wish I could have met him in person.

Bert's My Vickie

rottrover said...

Rainbow Bridge / afterlife? You decide...

So this morning I walked Bart and Ruby. We went down to the falls and looped back around. When I got home I realized that I couldn't find my phone. iPhones have this "find my phone" thing where you can go online and ping your phone and it'll show up on a map. My phone was at the falls. So since both dogs were hot and pooped, I went back down to the creek and walked to the falls. I began having the most vivid memories of Gizmo and then - you guessed it - I'm sure he was walking with me. All four legs working, bouncing along, just behind me. It was glorious! I don't care if it was real or not, it was true, and I loved it. He said to say HI!!

-rottrover

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Oh Rott... You have me crying again! I've wanted to tell you of my dream all day,, it was so vivid!

So glad you had your walk with Gizmo!

Snowbrush said...

I am so very sorry. I know the pain of losing dogs that were a part of my family, and I also know the pain of losing dogs that were my friends.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Now THAT is a beautiful post - we are all so very sad about Gizmo. Now their comment here has us all teary eyed again. We just have to remember that they may be gone in body but they are ALWAYS with us in spirit.

Run free, sweet and handsome Gizmo.

Woos~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara,and Lightning

Sewinggranny - Mona said...

Hugs Holly!! I am sure you will get to see Gizmo and the rest of your furbabies!!

Brutus, Ellie, Pippa and Otto said...

We were so sad to hear that Gizmo went to the bridge. There have to be dogs in heaven - we can't believe that God would keep them out.

Pugs & Kisses,

Yoda, Brutus & Ellie

Unknown said...

I read Rottrover's comment and it made my eyes teary. So glad that she had a walk with Gizmo there. The gentle giant boy is deeply missed too!

nangatesdesigns said...

Beautiful post. I am very sorry and completely understand your pain as we recently lost one of our buddies. I would like to believe that these wonderful friends are in heaven.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't seem fair, does it, that people who commit the worst crimes against other people are "forgiven" when they find religion and are eligible to go to Heaven, while pets who never hurt anyone "aren't allowed" in Heaven. I firmly believe in a Heaven that's open to all of God's creations, and we'll find our dogs when it's our turn.

Southern Mom Finds said...

Aw he was a beautiful dog, hugs****

Linda@VS said...

Holly, I know how much you loved Gizmo, and I'm so sorry for you and his family.
If God isn't a "dog person," then He isn't the God I believe He is. I can't even conceive of a Heaven that doesn't include such loving creatures. I believe my Kadi is there now, and I hope she's finding new friends with good dogs like Gizmo and Janet's beloved Spot.

BorneoBatikraft said...

hugs Holly!!! It sucks so much losing your best friend, we`ve all had to go through it! Hope everything gets ok eventually x_X

Romantic.Treasures said...

I am so sorry for your loss. One of my Mom's dogs died in my arms last year and it completely tore me up. I can't imagine the day when my 15 yr old goes home. I have heard many theories, but the one that sticks with me is - Is it really heaven if our dogs aren't there with us?
- SHaron (RomanticThoughts)

Jessica Brown said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'd like to think that God has a special place for all his creations. I know there's a special place up there for your friend

Charlene said...

What a wonderful tribute to a special friend. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Dexter said...

You sure got that right. I don't want to go to heaven if there aren't any dogs there. My dogs are the world to me.

I am still aching for Gizmo and his family, but I know that they helped him on his journey before he was in too much pain to enjoy life. That's the best we can do for our dogs. Love them, care for them, and never let them know suffering if we can help it.

Mango Momma

petitehermine said...

Dogs really are man and woman's best friends. I'm sure the rainbow bridge is right next to the pearly gates!

Unknown said...

I am sorry for your loss. The loss of a pet is always incredibly tough. I have to agree with everyone here, that our pets...all our pets will be in heaven for us ;)