Posted by Darlene on January 25, 2004 at 01:18:08:
From: Darlene (Caitlin's Mom)
Date: 21 Dec 2002
Dear Eddi, Thinking of you and your family and your beautiful Sara on this hard day. But then they are all hard days now. I thought of Sara when I read this story. It might not seem quite appropriate, but knowing that you continue the great work for animals that Sara wanted to do, well it just felt right. A man passed away and found himself walking along a pathway. He was joined by a dog companion that he remembered from his childhood. After the two reunited, they journeyed along their path until they approached a beautiful gate, complete with golden bars and alabaster marble. There was a stately person at the gate. "May I have some water?" asked the traveler. "Of course," said the man at the gate. "Our water is pure and ice cold." "Can my dog drink too?" asked the traveler. "No," said the man at the gate; "We don't take in pets." The traveler decided to continue along, and soon came to an old farm gate that was open and looked as if it had never been closed. A man in blue jeans was leaning against a tree nearby. "May I have some water?" asked the traveler again. "Of course," said the man in jeans. "May I give my dog some water?" he asked. "Certainly," said the man, and gestured toward a well nearby. The traveler and dog shared a bowl of water. The traveler asked the man, "What is this place?" "Heaven" replied the man in jeans. "Really?" said the traveler. "The place up the road is using your name." "I know" said the gatekeeper. "That's Hell. We don't like it that they use our name, but we appreciate the fact that they screen out all the people who would leave their best friend behind."