Harmlessette sent me a message yesterday:
"...I took Daisy to [Dr. Herriot's] at Hope Animal Clinic, just seemed like more was wrong with her than ... her arthritis. They x-rayed her and said all the swollen joints were bone cancer. I kept watching her and she just seemed to be suffering so much. Anyway, they said it was in her lungs, too, and it would be hard to give her anything for the pain so they suggested putting her to sleep. Thats what I did. I let them put her to sleep. It seems so odd here in the house without her. We had her around 10 years...."
I told her, "... I know it was a hard thing to do, but I fully believe dogs go to Heaven just like people do. She's in a much better place now - pain free and healthy. ..."
And I posted on Chesty's Facebook Wall, "...I know she'll be waiting at Heaven's gate wagging her tail when it's my/our turn to go Home. She was like one of the family - just as you and Harmlessette are."
This is the (Source) for the following:
James Herriot "Dog Stories"; chapter: The Card Over the Bed
Responding to a dying old woman's inquiry James Herriot, the late British author/veterinarian noted: "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You've nothing to worry about there." He goes to note regarding animals joining their masters in the afterlife: "I do believe it. With all my heart I believe it."
Pope John Paul II: 'Animals Possess A Soul'
Pope John Paul II declared in a public audience in 1990 that "also the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren". He said, too, that they are the "fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect," and are as near to God as men are."
The Pope went on to say that, "animals have the breath of life and were given it by God. In this respect, man created by the hand of God is identical with all living creatures. ... The existence therefore of all living creatures depends on the living spirit/breath of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the face of the earth."
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers, 1897-1935
