For everyone who's lost a dog...
I received this in an e-mail from a friend, and it brought tears to my eyes, and a warmth to my heart. I hope it does for you, too. :)
THE POST OFFICE NO ONE HEARS ABOUT
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. She dictated and I wrote:
Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey?
She died yesterday and is in heaven. We miss her
very much. We are happy that you let us have her
as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you
will play with her.
She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick.
I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see
her in heaven you will know she is our special dog.
But I really do miss her.
Love, Meredith Claire
P.S. Mommy wrote the words after I told them to her.
We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and
addressed it to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.
For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet.
I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, When a Pet Dies. Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope. On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:
Dear Meredith,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived
safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent
to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here
with me -- just like she stays in your heart -- young and running
and playing.
Abbey loved being your dog, you know.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any
pockets! So, I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it
back to you with the pictures so that you will have this
book to keep and remember Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the
little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank
your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you
have! I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love
you very much.
By the way, I am in heaven but wherever there is love,
I am there also.
Love, God
and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the
words.
As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things
that I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but
there is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office.
Just wanted to share this act of compassion
-- author unknown
