There is a reason the same letters form both "God" and "dog"

When I went to the home of my best friend, the Dude, on Sunday night, I was alarmed to see that her old Akita was not looking well.  She told me, "I'm taking Tramar to the vet tomorrow, Dude."  I replied, "Dude . . ." She said, "Yeah, I know, Dude . . . I know I may have to put him down."

Tramar did not make it.

Tramar

My friend is heartbroken.  She posted this poem by Rudyard Kipling on Facebook that I wanted to share:


A Dog for Jesus
(Where dogs go when they die)


I wish someone had given Jesus a dog.
As loyal and loving as mine.
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.


As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog,
Would have followed Him all through the day.
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away.
To face death alone and apart.
With no tender dog following close behind,
To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn,
How happy He would have been,
As His dog kissed His hand and barked it's delight,
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine,
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone,
Knowing they're in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through,
Wherever my road inclined,
Four feet said, "Wait, I'm coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

I know her heartbreak.  I have owned a number of dogs over my lifetime and deeply felt the loss each time I had to say goodbye.  They are such faithful animals.  No matter where I go in the house, my pack follows.  Sitting at my desk, Josie likes to crawl under the desk, while Dante remains at my feet, and Sam and Mac sleep nearby.  At night, Dante is always underneath the bed on my side, keeping watch and any nighttime excursions, he quickly gets up to follow me, even to accompany me to the bathroom.

Yes, I know the Church teaches that dogs have no souls.  But if I achieve Heaven when I die and my dogs are not there . . . it can't be Paradise.  God loves all His creatures, He is not going to turn His back on dogs.

If you know the Dude, go give her a hug on Facebook.