An 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 hunting dog and man would like - but it had a big 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 here 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 his dog went on. They came to a rundown 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 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 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 companions in life. Why would He separate them in death?” 

(Carroll Brown)

 

(German translation here)