FLOYD THE DOG

Before we start, I want to bark a word or two to those readers who might think that this is a sad story. That would, in fact, be very far from the truth of the matter. This is, in every way, a love story, full of joy and compassion.

My name is Mo. I'm a handsome dog of the Boxer tribe. My family are renowned for their love of play, energy, toughness, loyalty and exuberant affection. I don't want you to think that I am vain, but I do try to keep my coat clean and shining and my face and ears clean. When I was born, I had no idea what an important dog I was going to be. You see, Jane and the children had decided to choose a very special puppy to give to Jane's Daddy for Father's Day! They chose me because I would have just the right personality for my special master, 'The Preacher'.

Jane and the children told me that I was going to live with the Preacher and Mrs. Preacher but that I had to be very well trained before I could go. They weren't kidding about that! Maybe you haven't thought about this but it's hard for a puppy to learn that he has a special place to eat, he's not supposed to chew shoes, he's not allowed on the furniture and he has to go to the toilet only when he is outside! Whew! Well, it was tough at times and I made a few mistakes but the family was very patient with me and I caught on very fast!

When I was about six months old, Jane and the children finally decided the time had come: I was ready to be The Preacher's Dog!

My first day at my new home was wonderful and after I had dinner, the Preacher put me out in the garden. He and Mrs. Preacher were watching the news on the television when they heard the doorbell ring. The Preacher went to the front door but no-one was there, so he sat down again. The doorbell rang again. He went to the front door and found no-one there. The third time the doorbell rang, the Preacher decided to check the back door. This time he found me there waiting to come in! Well, I had scratched very quietly and politely on the door and got no answer, so I just jumped up and rang the bell!

The Preacher and I became best friends. He took me walking. I got to know everybody who lived nearby. Sometimes, when the Preacher was asked to teach a Sunday School class, he would talk about me and what a special friend I was to him.

The Preacher became ill. Jane had to take him to hospital. A few days later, Jane told me that the Preacher had gone to Heaven to live with God. I still had Mrs. Preacher to love, and was very happy most of the time. I played in the big back garden and I was Mrs. Preacher's companion. She and I became good friends, but I never forgot my Preacher. I missed him very much. Whenever I felt sad, I sat down beside his chair just as I had done when he was here on earth with me.

It became my turn to be ill. I couldn't eat and I was having trouble walking. Mrs. Preacher took me to see my dog doctor. He gently stroked my head. "Mo, old friend," he said “I have to give you some special medicine because I know you are in a lot of pain now, but this special medicine will make all the pain go away."

Mrs. Preacher stroked my head and told me how much everyone loved me. The .doctor gave me an injection for my pain.

Then I felt very strange and relaxed. I began to feel like a frisky puppy again! All of the pain in my body had gone and I felt myself floating up towards beautiful clouds and a very bright blue sky. Up, up, up, I floated through the clouds and the sunset. Everything was more wonderful than I had ever seen before, as I set off to seek my Preacher

Beyond the brilliant sunset, I saw a green meadow filled with bright flowers. In the middle of the meadow was a beautiful creature with long golden hair and soft feathery wings. Her halo glittered in the sunlight which was now very bright and she wore a shimmering white robe. "Hello, Mo! My name is Angela," she greeted me. "I am the animal’s angel, and I am here to welcome you!"

I was so amazed at the sight of the angel that I almost forgot to look around! When I did, I realized I was not alone. There were all kinds of animals in the meadow which extended as far as I could see. I soon found out that they were all very friendly. There were ferrets and gerbils, giraffes and turtles, and hyenas, parrots and squirrels, cats and leopards. Every sort of animal that ever existed was to be seen.

"Where am I?" I asked in astonishment. "Is this Heaven?"

Hubert Horse trotted over. "Heavenly Meadows is a special part of Heaven that God created especially for animals! Let me introduce you to some of the others who are here." Choo-Choo the Cat meowed his welcome.

"Why are you called Choo-Choo?" I asked him. "That's a strange name for a cat."

"I used to sit on my front porch and watch the trains going past my house," Choo-Choo replied. "So my family named me Choo-Choo because I loved trains."

Lorrinda Leopard joined the group. She had lived in Africa. She purred a gentle greeting.

"God gives me such sweet grass to eat here," Lee Lamb said. "And my Shepherd is always nearby."
"We love it here because God made the weather just right for our fur coats," Mary Mink said. Her brother, Mark, nodded in agreement.

"I'm not in a cage any more," Helen Hamster said. "God has given me the freedom to roam about Heavenly Meadows and I never have to worry about food or shelter."

"I know what you mean," Laurel Lion said. "Ron Rhinoceros and I lived in cages in a zoo and now we are free to enjoy this beautiful place!"

"We lived in Australia before we came here," said Kathy Koala. "Karen Kangaroo and I don't have to search for food and shelter anymore either. God provides everything we need here."

"Angela," I said to the beautiful angel, "I always felt very special because I had such a loving family on earth. But now that I'm here, I know that God loves all His creatures and that all of us had a purpose when we lived on earth. When we have finished God's plan for us on earth, He brings us here so that we can be closer to Him. I just have one very important question."

Angela smiled. "You want to know where your beloved Preacher is and if you will be with him again."

"How did you know that?" I asked in amazement. "Did God send you here to explain that to me?"

"Yes, He did," Angela said. "Are you ready now?"

"Yes, I'm ready now!" I exclaimed. I couldn't wait another moment to see the Preacher!

Then, I saw a beautiful rainbow in the distant clouds. As we moved towards it, I realized this was not just a rainbow. It was actually a rainbow bridge! I could see a golden light at the far end where the rainbow bridge disappeared into the clouds. Then I realized that the golden light was moving towards us across the bridge and suddenly I recognized the Preacher!

"Mo, I'm so glad to see you! I've been waiting for you!" The Preacher embraced me joyfully.

Ordinarily I would have jumped up on him, but then I realized I didn't need to jump. I now had my very own wings and I could fly! The Preacher and I glided through the trees and flowers and settled down beside a beautiful lake to talk.

"Preacher, what is Heaven like for you? Are you still ill?"

"No, Mo!" The Preacher exclaimed. "God has made me well and I am so happy in Heaven! There is no sickness or sadness in Heaven. It's exactly the same for me as it is for you in Heavenly Meadows. You, too, are well and happy now and we are together again! We can enjoy this beautiful place throughout eternity with God, His angels and your angel animal friends!"

"That's great, Preacher, but there's just one problem. What about Mrs. Preacher, Jane and the children and all our other family and friends who are still on earth? They were so sad when I was ill and had to come to Heavenly Meadows. We've got to find a way to let them know that you and I are together and that we are both well and happy."

"You are right, Mo. Perhaps Angela and some of your new friends can help," the Preacher replied.

"Hi, Mo! I'm Bill Butterfly and I can help you." he said as he fluttered over and perched lightly on the Preacher's halo. "Before I became a butterfly with these bright wings, I was inside a cocoon. The outside of my cocoon was dark and rather ugly. When God was ready, I came out of the dark cocoon and flew out into the light of God's earthly world. I changed from a dark cocoon into a beautiful creature with delicate wings. Even though I am a simple creature, God gave me a very special purpose. I am the symbol of how God can change all His creatures into something more beautiful."

"Angela will surely know what you can do to let your family know you are well and happy," my Preacher assured me.

Just then Angela glided towards us across the still waters.

"Mo, God tells me that He just heard a prayer from Jane. She is hoping to see a sign that you and the Preacher are together. God is arranging the sunset where Jane is right now," Angela told them. "God will blend your images into the clouds of the sunset!"

I looked down. Jane was smiling as she saw us together in the clouds of the sunset. God had indeed shown her that the Preacher and I were together, happy and well!

“Now, Mo, the next wish you have is for everyone on earth whose pets have died. God wants them to know that all of their pets are well and happy. He asked Jane to write the story of your life so that everyone will know that God and His angels are taking care of all His creatures."

So now that you have read the story of my life, I am happy to tell you that the Preacher and I continue to share good times together in Heavenly Meadows. As I said when we started, this is not a sad story after all, but is indeed a very happy one.