OT: Abbey and Meredith

[GAHorn]

The following story was sent to me, and I thought I'd share it. (sentimental, but that's the way I feel about kids and dogs. especially black labs like my Roulette!, she looks/acts just like this dog as you guys will see this weekend at Pettit Jean.)



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. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked 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 addressed, 'To Meredith' ....in an unfamiliar hand writing. Meredith open ed it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, '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 was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. 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'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

[bsdunek]

Touching story, George. Both my Wife and I had a lump in our throat reading it. My Wife has a nearly 15 year old Lab, Midnight. Even though she’s doing well, we know she won’t be around too much longer. Fortunately, our kids are all grown and gone, so we don’t have that problem.
We think it’s just great that someone took the time to send that letter to Meredith. Someday she’ll know what really happened, but for now, it makes it easier to deal with.
Here's our Midnight

Midnight.jpg

[dacker]

SOMEONE?

[bsdunek]

Yes, I think 'someone', but someone with a big heart, and most likely a Christian. Well, on second thought, maybe God did write it, but through 'someone', like many 'someones' wrote the Bible. We'll never know how all this works while we're here on earth.

[Iceman07]

I really, really hate to be a stick-in-the-mud, but I get quite enough of this type of "stuff" in my e-mails each day. Please don't post this "stuff" here. (And, yes, I am using "stuff" in an attempt to be at least little polite)

[jrenwick]

I really, really hate to be a stick-in-the-mud, but I get quite enough of this type of "stuff" in my e-mails each day. Please don't post this "stuff" here. (And, yes, I am using "stuff" in an attempt to be at least little polite)

Aw, come on. It's one thing when gobs of anonymous "stuff" get passed on to everybody in the internet. But this one is real, and it's among friends.

John

[Iceman07]

I really, really hate to be a stick-in-the-mud, but I get quite enough of this type of "stuff" in my e-mails each day. Please don't post this "stuff" here. (And, yes, I am using "stuff" in an attempt to be at least little polite)

Aw, come on. It's one thing when gobs of anonymous "stuff" get passed on to everybody in the internet. But this one is real, and it's among friends.

John

No, I got this same exact story on at least three junk e-mails in the last couple of weeks.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Well Iceman is correct, the story is making the rounds. But at least in this case it is a real story according to Snopes.com http://www.snopes.com/glurge/abbey.asp.

[jrenwick]

...
No, I got this same exact story on at least three junk e-mails in the last couple of weeks.

I apologize. Somehow I jumped to the conclusion that George knew these people, or was related to them.

Ya got me, George!!!

John

[N171TD]

Might I suggest if you don't like the thread then don't read the thread.

[blueldr]

N171TD,

Best thing I've read on this thread.

I frequently see stuff on these forums that I just don't bother to read since they hold no interest for me.

[dacker]

I think you should have said don't RE-READ the thread!

[N171TD]

Maybe my comment should be if you don't like this thread maybe your the one who really needs to read this thread.

[GAHorn]

OK Guys. I posted "OT" ... meaning "Off Topic". so, if you don't wanna read it .... then don't. Simple matter.
I enjoyed it and because I have friendships here at the 170 assn.... I shared it with my friends. If you don't like it... don't read it. But for the sake of gentility.... there's no reason to criticize my sharing it with my friends. (just my opinion. If you don't like it.... well... I won't post the emoticon I have for what I'm feeling about this. I love dogs, ... I mean I REALLY LOVE them. (They are SO MUCH better than people in so many respects).... especially retrievers..... and doubly-so for Labradors.... )

Get over it if you don't like it. (Roulette! See Iceman? ... BITE! BITE! ... Are you listening??? Dammit! BITE!
(Dumb dog! Can't get her to bite anything but a dog biscuit or a frisbee.)

[flat country pilot]

(They are SO MUCH better than people in so many respects).... especially retrievers..... and doubly-so for Labradors.... )

Amen