All Dogs Should Go To Heaven

Dogs And Heaven

My people didn't want pets on the farm, we have enough to take care of
as it is. This was our answer when we asked for a dog. People were
always dropping dogs and cats off out in the country. Seems like most
of them found their way to our house. Most of the time Dad would put
them in the truck, drive ten miles or so down the road and drop them
off pretty close to another house.

My Dad was a real unfeeling bastard at times and this was one of those
times. A beautiful mama dog had found her way to our house, after
listening to us beg and promise, he gave in and allowed us to keep
her.

Mama's hen house had been raided, eggs were missing or broken and
shells left in the nests. It might have been a possum, racoon, or even
a fox that robbed the eggs, there were foxes in our area. Dad insisted
that it must be that mama dog.

Now you kids know that this started happening right after that dog come
here he said, And I will not put up with no egg suckin dog-----.I had a
real sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.----- If it was a fox or
possum it would get the chickens too, and it ain't offered to bother
none of them.----

Finally the day came that I was dreading. He walked in the house, got
the shotgun from under the bed, went outside and shot our Mama dog in
the head. The shot was loud and I went limp. He was out there puking
his head off and yelling for me and my Sister to get the shovels and
clean this mess up.

I lost a lot of hero worship for my Dad that day. I still have a
problem thinking about it, how could someone that you loved do
something that awful? I have no answer to that question. There was not
much left to clean up, we had to shovel it into a tow sack and drag it
to the thickett and bury it, crying so hard that we couldn't see where
we were going.

The next few days were uneventful, no more eggs missing or broken. I
couldn't stand to look at his weather beaten old face with that I told
you so look on it. And then what do you know, hen house raided again,
eggs stolen. I made sure that he looked me in the eye real often after
that, I stared at him constantly.

Pretty soon the eggs stealing stopped, I guess someone else took care
of the real thief. I hope that God has a special place for animals,
especially the ones that are abused by stupid people here on earth,
they should be repaid for the loyalty, and caring they give us. They
are our true friends