Heaven

An old man and his dog were walking down on a dirt road with fences on either side. The came to a gate in the fence and peered over at a very pleasant, grassy and wooded area – just what the man and his dog would love. However, there was a sign on the gate saying No Trespassers. So they walked on.

Soon they came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing next to it. “Welcome to heaven” he said. The old man was very happy and started to enter with his dog following him. The Gatekeeper stopped him. “Dogs aren’t allowed. I’m sorry but he cannot come in with you”.

“What kind of Heaven won’t allow dogs? If he can’t come in, then I’ll stay out with him. He has been my faithful companion all his life and I can not desert him now.”

“Suit yourself, but I have to warn you ; the Devil’s on this road and he will try to sweet-talk you into his area. He’ll promise you anything but your dog can’t go in there either. If you won’t leave your dog, you will spend Eternity on this road.”

So the old man and his dog travelled on. They came to a run-down fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. “Excuse me Sir, my dog and I are getting very tired. Do you mind if we come in and sit in the shade for a while?”

“Of course, there’s some cool water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable.”

“Are you sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs were not allowed in anywhere.”

“Would you come in if you had to leave your dog outside?”

“No Sir, that’s why I didn’t go to Heaven. He said the dog couldn’t come in. So we will be spending Eternity on this road and a glass of cold water and some shade would be very good for the moment but, I won’t come in if me friend here can’t come too, and that’s final.”

The man smiled and said “Welcome to Heaven!”

“You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? Why did that man down the road said they weren’t?”

“That was the Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up their lifelong 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 companion in life, so why would he separate them in death?”