Yes! Our Pets Go to Heaven!

The following is what I wrote in response to the question, “Do our pets go to Heaven?” I know that our God is a loving God. He loves each of us more than we can understand. It hurts him to feel us hurt. I know that He brings me comfort when my heart wants to break to pieces and just die. Without His love, I may have already lost all hope! This is a very short story about a special dog named Shadow. She died at 16 years old and I’ve never shed a tear or felt the horrible loss. I can only thank the Lord for carrying that hurt for me!

They ARE there! I had this same conversation with a friend a few days ago because she’s going to have to put her 18-year old cat down soon. YES, the cat is 18!!

Anyway, one of my dogs is Shadow, the smartest dog everybody has ever known, and loved by every body that has ever met her! My little nieces found her in the ditch in front of their house one December evening when the temp was dipping to 17 that night. She was barely 6 weeks old and small, with a thick coat of black/black fur and dark chocolate brown eyes. They got my sister and put the dog in the heated work-trailer. Trying to decide what to do with the baby, they said, “CALL AUNT KIM!! SHE’LL COME GET HER!!” LOL Well, OF COURSE, I headed straight there and brought that girl home with me that night! I can still see her little, scared face staring at me from behind a small space heater. She was sitting straight up, stiff, too scared to lay down, no doubt.

Long story short, she lived a wonderful, joy-giving16 years. Her last week here on Earth, I prayed all the way home every day that she would go naturally because I couldn’t take her to be put down, even though I knew I’d have to let someone take her. The thought was unbearable. So I prayed. And prayed some more.

She died peacefully at home. I was surprised that I wasn’t grief-stricken the first few days…..and on day three?? Well, I dreamt about Shadow. She came running out of some clouds straight at me, young and healthy and happy!! I threw my arms opened and laughed, and yelled her name, “SHADOW, my sweet Shadow!!”

Well, let me tell you, to my utter surprise….that dog ran right by me and straight into Doggie Heaven!!!

So, I don’t grieve for her; my heart does not hurt when I think of her. I know she is alive and well and waiting on Mama to come on home, too.

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Kim Heckman Beasley

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A hard-working, straight-up kinda country girl (well, some would say "old lady"!). Have traveled; seen a lot and lived even more. LOVE WINS!

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