Is There a Canine Heaven?
Dear Frankie,
My friend Olive and I are canine hospice volunteers. She volunteers at the Rin-Tin-Tin, Rest in Peace Shelter, and I volunteer at the Lassie Heavenly Home Shelter.
We talked the other day about how rewarding it is to be there for the dogs in their final days.
I said, “It is such a comfort for them to know they will be going to canine heaven.”
Olive said, “That’s what you tell them? How do you know there’s a heaven for dogs?”
I asked her, “Well, what do you tell them?”
She said, “I don’t tell them anything; I ask them about their life, listen to their stories, and hold their paw.”
Now I don’t know what to think. Is there a canine heaven, Frankie?
Bethany
Dear Bethany,
Now that is some big question. I’m no theologian or philosopher and wouldn’t presume to give you a definitive answer.
You and Olive are at the hospice shelters to make the dogs’ final days peaceful. If you find that assuring them that heaven awaits them and they find it comforting, go for it. I’m sure you also hold their paw and listen to their stories.
Olive, on the other paw, takes a more open-ended approach. She lets the dogs come to their own conclusion about their final resting place.
It’s great that both of you have chosen to provide such an important service to your fellow canines. May every dog be fortunate enough to have someone like you and Olive be there for them when the time comes.
Best, Frankie
© 2022 Geneva Woodruff
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