As a small child, I anguished over the question:
"Do dogs go to heaven when they die?"
People told me they didn't; but one day
I met a woman who lived very close to heaven
and just as close to earth, and she said:
"Now, Moko, just you listen to me.
God made everything in this world
out of his aroha.  And I mean everything.
Flies, ducks, mozzies, whitebait, cats and dogs.
Every single creature's got a pinch of God in it,
and like you've always been told,
there's just no way God can die.
When a creature's life runs out
the little pinch of God goes right back
to God's great big loving heart.
That's how I recon it's always been
and how it'll always be."

I was eight, and I went away comforted,
knowing that my closest friend,
a dog called Don who'd been killed by a bus,
was now living happy and safe with God
who would feed him and take him for walks.

Now, understanding less than then,
but touching from time to time
that "pinch of God" in all things,
I give special thanks to my creator
for the friendship of animals in my life.

I can't count the times God has loved me
through small furred and feathered things,
how often I've been taught through them,
lessons of trust and playfulness,
simplicity and self acceptance.

And Since I do believe in heaven
is not so much a place as a state of being.
I can say to my own mokopuna,
"Yes, there are dogs in heaven".

RAINBOW  BRIDGE

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal
dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow
Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they
can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and
our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we
remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy
and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special,
someone who was left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and
looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to
quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass,
faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special
friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted
again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone
from your life, but never absent from your heart.

               Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

               *Author Unknown*