A man realized that he had died when his old dog, lost many years earlier, came up to him, wagging his tail. So the man walked down the road with his beloved dog, wondering if the road led to heaven. After a while, he saw a fine house, and approached it, hoping for a drink of water for himself and his dog. He asked the man working outside if they could have a drink, and that man went into the house, saying "follow me" but turned at the door and said "sorry, you'll have to leave your dog outside. we don't allow dogs in here."

The man was stunned, and shook his head, turning to leave. He continued down the road, and eventually came to a farmhouse with an outdoor pump. He approached an older gentleman working outside, and again asked for a drink.

This man looked up, smiling - "Sure, help yourself. And there's a bowl next to the pump for your dog, too. He looks thirsty." He patted the old dog's head.

Overjoyed, the man and his dog drank their fill. They all stood in the cool shade and talked. Curious, he asked the older gentleman about the other house - "I thought maybe that was heaven, but now I don't know."

The older man smiled, "No, how could that be heaven? After all the love you've shared, why would God want you to leave your best friend behind?" The man hugged his dog and smiled. He knew he had found heaven after all.

Look to your heart for the answer. I believe every creature is God in a different disguise, and as such, possesses a soul. Love doesn't die. We all go on to whatever is next.