It has been three weeks since Tazzy escaped the trials of an older dog who was not well. I have not handled it gracefully as he, like so many other dogs in peoples lives, had worked his way into our hearts, leaving the proverbial paw print. Last night, I reviewed my photos captured on the cell phone and noted that most of them, by far, were of Tazzy doing Tazzy things. If you are the owner, past or present, of a dog, you know about things such as innocence and loyalty. Age has softened me, admittedly, and I no longer hunt (a noble sport) as I no longer like the killing part. Truth is, I said a prayer over the body of every deer that I killed thanking them for the hunt, as I have always viewed animals as a sacred trust. So it is that I immediately started contemplating the fate of Tazzy after his last breath.
My fate with the Almighty is still being negotiated. Those that know me know I have a hard edge, tempered by time and occupation, but this isn’t about me, it is about an innocent and loyal friend who has left us, Tazzy Johnson. We gave him the best life and I want the same for him in the afterlife.
Theologians are divided on the matter of dogs in heaven, many believing they have no souls and there for are denied a heavenly presence. Many others argue this point. The Creator attached great significance to animals, dogs included, as evidenced in these passages from the Bible.
“God made the wild animals according to their kinds the livestock according to their kinds and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds and God said that is good.” Genesis 1:25
“For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10
“For the fate of humans and the animal is the same: the same fate awaits them both: as one dies, so does the other. All animals have the same breath, humans have no advantage over animals.’ Ecclesiastes 3:19
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you”. Job 12:7
Finally….
“Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young, a place near your alter, Lord Almighty, my King and my God”. Psalm 84:3
God cared about every creature on the face of the earth, and arranged for dogs to have a special place in our hearts. My plea is simple, please prepare a place in Heaven for Tazzy, a big yellow dog who taught us about innocence, loyalty, humor and love. You’ll like him, Sir, he is the big dog that is always smiling.
SR
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