Historical April–May 2005 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Editor’s Note: The following was contributed by one of our neighbors and expresses the feelings experienced by many upon the loss of a family pet. Heaven’s Gate (A Prayer for Dogs) With great love, we know you’ve gone To prepare a place for all the blest; But Dear Lord, would you grant God’s children just one small request? We know you’ve toiled long and hard, To prepare for us an exalted place; But could it not be a little better, If our dog meets us at Heaven’s gate? “Faithful unto death” is the life Of virtue that we should lead; And surely did our dog, Lord, Stay true to that sacred creed. He was always there to meet us, Full of joy and without fail; On the step at day’s dawning, With happy bark and wagging tail. And when discouraged, arriving home With body tired and spirit poor; He always knew just how to cheer us, Waiting there, inside the door. He grew old, he grew old, Lord. He grew old with infirmity; But he made no complaints, Lord, Not a whimper for sympathy. And when his time had surely come, Tired and sick, he would not eat; He was the bravest of the brave; He faced the end without defeat. When the last sad rite was required, You sent an angel to take him home. He cast his eyes upon his Mistress; She caressed his head ‘til he was gone. We’ll mourn his absence for a while, We’ll hear his bark when no one’s there; But we thank you Lord, for all the joy That he brought to us while he was here. You surely put dogs on this old earth To show we humans how best to live; Ever faithful, always trusting, Giving us all they have to give. You suffered and died, lest we be lost And yours is a love that will not fail. At God’s right hand, you live and reign, Hands cruelly marked with Roman nail. If in the end, our lives are judged Worthy of that wondrous fate; Please let our faithful dog, Lord, Greet us there at Heaven’s gate! – Alan T. Wright “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, Believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many Mansions…I go to prepare a place for you.” -John 14 In memory of Jake The Wright family’s Black Labrador August, 1992—-May 17, 2004
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2005.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2005_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
