Do Dogs Go To Heaven?

The old man was walking along a winding mountain road. A road as beautiful and scenic as any the old man had traveled. With him were his two best friends, a couple of mutts that were getting on in age themselves. On this warm and sunny day they walked together enjoying each moment. At night when they lay to rest in the forest the old man held one friend in his arms while the other lay his head on the old man.

Eventually they came to a magnificent gate opening to streets of gold. It was clearly more lavish than anywhere on earth. The old man was a bit confused but vaguely aware that something tragic had happened. He recalls an accident. Perhaps this place before him was Heaven. It certainly was more magnificent than anything he had ever seen. Now he is aware his friends had passed away years before, yet he was with them again. Nearby, a footman attended the gates and offered greetings to the majestic city. The old man wondered if this was Heaven. Reading the man’s thoughts, "It most certainly is replied the footman." "We have here the finest of everything for you. Whatever you wish is yours. Here you will have wealth as you have never before known." Oh how wonderful! Today he and his best friends were together at the gates to eternity! Unbelievable! He cried "Could I please have a glass of water and a bowl for my friends? "Certainly sir, but, sorry, we don't accept pets." The old man was silent and stood in shock. All these years he had believed in eternity only to find he would be separated from his best friends. He took a last look and turned and proceeded down the road with his buddies. What was the point of an afterlife if his best friends were not there?

The day wore on and dusk was near when the winding road led to a farm gate where a beautiful woman offered greetings. The three were quite thirsty now. The old man inquired "Might you have water for me and my pals?" "Sure, there's a pump and a bowl for your dogs," said the young woman. "Come on in." After man and dogs drank their fill, the old man noted "What a pleasant farm, even better than Heaven!" The woman laughed, “This is Heaven!" But "Down the road, that was heaven, too?" Said the confused old man. "Oh, that place with gold streets? Actually, that's hell" said the young woman. “We screen out the folks who'd leave their best friends behind in order to walk gold streets. No my friend, this is the gate to Heaven".

(Revision of old story) Original Author Unknown