An Angel In The Post Office

[mazersteven]

AN ANGEL IN THE POST OFFICE


This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/tus/487665904.html

 

[emrliquidlife]

Your post has led me to weep in a way I can't describe. Let me try.

I'm a single father from divorce. Tonight I'm wrapping my daughters gifts and I wish that she was here. There is so much that I lost. A warm home, a constant with my daughter.

An unitentional casualty were my two dogs. I rescued them at a young age from the pound.

They were of the same litter, and though I only intended to get one, I got both. Seperating them seemed so bad.

I had them for four years, and at that fourth year, found myself in the middle of a litigous divorce. Three years later it is not over.

Crunch and Camilla, whose very names I have a hard time saying were big dogs, of the large mut breed that like space. I lived in a house in Corona California that had plenty of woods to keep them happy. While I did the best to train them they had the hunt side of them and often would run and come back. When I had to leave the house I put out a notice to those that I knew and offered to pay for their keep. I did all that I could to find them a family, but being that I was not living in a home with a yard anymore I was stuck.

I struck a deal with my father to house them in Texas. So I rented a van, and drove from California to Texas with them. Crunch constantly in my face and Camilla lounging in the back of the van. We stopped in El Paso after finding a pet friendly motel. Imagine the suprise when a house keeper walked in the room and found my two dogs cornering her while I was in the shower. Upon returning the van, I had to explain why there was bits of kibble in the back of the van.

I got them safely to Texas, and promised them I would be back. They had all the room they could want and a high fence that would keep them at home.

Unfortunately, within weeks, my father was called to duty in Iraq, and would be gone for a year. I enlisted my brother to find them a home, and again offered to pay for board and food. Fruitlessly, a few days before my father shipped out, I had them put to sleep.

Worst day of my life, and though I know that I'm thankful that I have the love of my daughter, I often wonder how my dogs are doing. My brother took them, while I stayed helplessly in California. I prayed that they would forgive me, and promised to never forget them.

I once heard a poem about pet death. It said something that they ran in the biggest field, with the sun on their back, and good scents in the breeze. I wish the best for your loss, and that your daughter is the better of the experience.

I wish I had a book about pet death, I hope that they are running in a long field. And if I led a good enough life, that they will be there for me. I wish.

Best,

Ed

 

[mazersteven]

I want to clarify this wasn't my daughter, or pet. This is a listing from Craigslist I wanted to share.

It brought tears to my eyes. Also the wonder of, was it a postal worker, or was it someone else that send the letter, and book back?


Ed,

Again your story has brought tears running down my face. I'm very sorry for your loss. One thing these dogs knew was how much you loved them. They are safe, and playing waiting the day you will be reunited with them.

 

[mazersteven]

These stories have hit home with me because I have a Welsh Corgi, and she will turn 14 this January 6th. Her spirits are fine, and she can still eat, and drink. But her back legs don't function anymore. I have to carry her around everywhere. After the holiday's I will bring her back to the vets for an exam. I can't type anymore sorry.

 

[emrliquidlife]

Thanks for reading my post. I think writing it last nite was something that I needed to put out there. Odd that I put it out in a audio forum. But the origional CL post just opened a flood gate for me. I'm a middle aged man, but the story of that girl just left me speechless and weeping.

I'm truly sorry for your Corgi. Likely she is fulfilled at your side, and your touch.

I had a deep conversation with a woman who was thinking of putting her beloved dog down because of spasms her dog would have. It was an odd neuro case, and eventuallly, the dog just couldn't be helped. He was a full sized collie and simply had to be moved everywhere. The woman was all of 100 lbs at best and lived alone. Prior to taking the dog in, she enlisted the help of a male friend to return the dog to a dog park, where the dog managed one last loll in the grass, and genuinely seemed content. Because of that moment, she feared that putting the dog down was premature, that something could be done. She prayed for some miracle to give her an answer. The dog passed in her arms as she lifted him from the grass of the park.

There are dogs, and then there are companions. Companions make our lives more fulfilling, and we in turn seek to make them fulfilled. Its a partnership that we know will only last 15 odd years at best. But when I'm ready, I want to try again. I hope that you are able to too.

E

 

[MUDSHARK]

These stories have hit home with me because I have a Welsh Corgi, and she will turn 14 this January 6th. Her spirits are fine, and she can still eat, and drink. But her back legs don't function anymore. I have to carry her around everywhere. After the holiday's I will bring her back to the vets for an exam. I can't type anymore sorry.

I remember her on your patio at the get together last year. She seemed like such a sweet dog. I wish her the very best from someone who is very attached to my pets (in my case Manx). I have my fingers crossed for your dog (old saying that is like an anachronism nowadays).