~ A Letter To God ~

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.

She dictated and I wrote:

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog,
Abbey? She died yesterday and is in heaven.
We miss her very much. We are happy that
you let us have her as our dog even though
she got sick. I hope that you will play with
her. She liked to play with balls and swim
before she got sick.

I am sending some pictures of her so that
when you see her in heaven you will know
she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.

Love,

Meredith Claire

P S: Mommy wrote the words after Meredith told them to her.

We put that in an envelope with two pictures of
Abbey, and addressed it to God in Heaven. We
put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck
some stamps on the front (because, as she said,
it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the
way to heaven) and that afternoon I let her drop
it into the letter box at the post office.

For a few days, she would ask 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.
Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star
card on the front and said "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand.

Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was
a book by Mr. Rogers, "When a Pet Dies". Taped
to the inside front cover was the letter we had
written to God, in its opened envelope (which
was marked Return to Sender: Insufficient address).
On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey
was taped under the words "For Meredith" We turned
to the back cover, and there was the other picture
of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:

Dear Meredith,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey
arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the
pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I
recognized Abbey right away.
You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her
spirit is here with me--just like she stays in your
heart--young and running and playing.
Abby loved being your dog, you know.

Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't
have any pockets!--so I can't keep your beautiful
letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures
so that you will have this book to keep and
remember Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me.
I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the
beautiful letter. Thank your mother for
sending it. 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 am in heaven but wherever there
is love, I am there also.

Love,
God and the special angel who wrote this after
God told her the words

As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of
the kindest things that I've ever experienced.
I have no way to know who sent it, but there is
some very kind soul working in the dead letter
office. Just wanted to share this act of compassion.