THE OLD MAN AND HIS DOG
An old man and his dog were walking
down
a dirt road with fences on both sides.
They came to a gate in the fence and
looked in.
It was nice, with grassy, woodsy areas,
just what a huntin' dog and man would
like,
but it had a sign saying,
No Trespassing so they walked on.
They came to a beautiful gate with
a
person in white robes standing there.
"Welcome to Heaven," the
robed man said.
The old man was happy and started
in with his dog following him.
The gatekeeper stopped him."Dogs
aren't allowed.
I'm sorry, but he can't come with you."
"What kind of Heaven won't allow
dogs?" the old man said.
"If he can't come in, then I will
stay out with him.
He's been my faithful companion all
his life.
I can't desert him now."
"Suit yourself," the gatekeeper
said.
"But I have to warn you,
the Devil's on this road and he'll
try to
sweet talk you into his area.
He'll promise you anything,
but the dog can't go there either.
If you won't leave the dog, you'll
spend Eternity on this road."
So the old man and dog went on.
They came to a rundown fence with a
gap in it,
no gate, just a hole.
Another old man was inside.
"Scuse me, sir. My dog and I are
getting mighty tired.
Mind if we come in and sit in the shade
for a while?"
"Come on in," the man said.
"There's some cold water under
that tree over there.
Make yourselves comfortable."
"You're sure my dog can come in?
The man down the road said dogs weren't
allowed anywhere."
"Would you come in if you had
to leave the dog?"
"No sir. That's why I didn't go
to Heaven.
He said the dog couldn't come in.
We'll be spending Eternity on this
road,
and a glass of cold water and some
shade
would be mighty fine right about now.
But I won't come in if my buddy
here can't come too, and that's final."
The man smiled a big smile and said,
"Welcome to Heaven."
"You mean this is Heaven?
Dogs are allowed?
How come that fellow down the road
said they weren't?"
"That was the Devil,
and he gets all the people who are
willing
to give up a life-long companion for
a comfortable place to stay.
They soon find out their mistake,
but then it's too late.
The dogs come here, the fickle people
stay there.
God wouldn't allow dogs to be banned
from Heaven.
After all, He created them to be man's
companions in life.
Why would he separate them in death?"
~ Author Unknown ~