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Dear God Love Meredith

Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com Star Columnist

Dearest Harley McGuire,

Please share this beautiful email that we received with your www.SedonaEye.com readers. It is too wonderful to keep hidden even if a piece of fiction because we believe that someone, somewhere, has had this experience. Our own beloved Kippy is now 12 years old and slowing down. We are finding it as a family quite difficult to accept: Joel and Dasi Brenner, Palo Alto, CA  6/11/12  (begin email)

We don’t know who replied, but there is a beautiful 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 passed away 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, and 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 swim and play with balls. 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 and I recognized her 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’m easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

 

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28 Comments

  1. Kathy Howe says:

    Over the years I have either had a pet not return home or have had to assist them in passing. Each time when the end is near, I have spent the last hours with them and held them as their life ended.

    Last year my dear Bubba, 20 year old cat, finally let me know it was time… Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and his unconditional love.

    My 18.5 yr old Cassie has been to Hawaii and back with me, comforted me when my husband passed… Puki is 15 and is my body guard…the princess warrior. Bo and Simon are the young boy kitties who make me laugh. God, what would I have done all these years without the unconditional love of a pet?

  2. That was precious. Thank you for sharing Harley McGuire!

    Inoch, Sadie, Hudson and Dominic

  3. Yep, it’s true all right check it out with Mr. Snopes at the address below.

    http://www.snopes.com/glurge/abbey.asp

    Thank you Kathy Howe for your tender story about your beloved pets. And Inoch, Sadie, Hudson and Dominic, bless you all for your kind words.

    I know at my house even tho I’m presently the only child, I have lots of pictures on the walls as reminders that I wasn’t the first four-footer living under this roof.

    At least Murphy, Gladis, KC, Duffy, Cleo, Tony, Shane, Randolph, and Mercedes were among my canine ancestors. Ralph, Surefoot, and Gray Cloud were Sedona Humane Society kitties who did well at surviving as outdoor cats during the olden days.

    At the moment Mom and I are just trying to figure out how to time the visit from the grim reaper so that we are able to make that last trip together. Mom says for me to not ask for suggestions because we might get too many responses . . . whatever that means.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  4. Wendy Tanzer says:

    Hey Harley… Thank you SO much for printing this wonderful and moving exchange between an innocent, trusting child and God. I cried like a baby. Too often surrounded and consumed by animus, it’s easy to forget how much kindness and depth of feeling exist in our world. A sweet, gentle reminder on occasion is a most welcome breath of fresh air. So again…
    Thank you.
    Wendy

  5. Karin G. says:

    Once again, Harley, you strike a nerve in this ol’ heart of mine. This was another “worm-heartening” (as I like to say) post. I’m reminded of those beloved ancestors you quote whose mommy & daddy were & still are so beloved to me & always will be. I had the great pleasure of knowing fondly all of those wonderful pets, especially Gladis who was my favorite as a kid. And I always thought Duffy was simply the cutest creature ever to walk this planet with his barrette hair-do to clip back those long bangs. Though I’ve had some pets, fortunately have never experienced the pain of seeing them go to heaven (our last cat, Stumpy, simply disappeared at the age of 12). I know, however, that I’ll mourn big time the day my two current kitties, Bonnie & Clyde pass. Hopefully not for at least 15 years as they’re only six. Love you and your mom, Harley!

  6. Chip & Dale says:

    Thank you – very moving. You are the best Harley!

    Love C&D

  7. Yikes! Mother has already been notified of her oversight by neglecting to remind me to include “Riley” in my list of ancestors.

    He was, perhaps, the most talented of all . . . even Gladis and Murphy who rolled over at the mere suggestion and then never wanted to stop. And, of course, Duffy knew all of his hundreds of toys by name and thus entertained everyone with his determination to be center stage.

    However, only Riley could sit on a stool and belly up to the bar and smile on command. His grin was hysterical and he would have been a star performer today on U-Tube.

    Wish they were all still around so we could be playmates.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  8. Skipper says:

    I don’t usually cry but this one got me so that I bawled like BooHoo. Gotta love the Postal person.

  9. Liked this story on Facebook.

  10. Martha says:

    U-tube would have been perfect for Riley. Harley McGuire I just know that you are one of your Mom’s very special boys, and you two are perfect for each other.

  11. Hey, Harley, didn’t your mother tell you about us? Her husband picked me up on the railroad track in Flagstaff. I was just a teeny kitten and they fed me with an eye dropper and named me Hobo Jo. And Celeste was our desert tortoise and I loved to ride on his back (yep, that’s right – Celeste was a guy.) The two of us would have been famous stars on U-Tube along with Riley.

  12. Callie Blalock went to the light today @ age 14. She was such a great pal to us all. My parents had her for 12 years of her life. She loved to play ball, non-stop. She was a natural herbalist, seeking out dried dandelion seed and grass whenever she needed it, along with being fed the best food. She loved carrots as snacks. She loved to cuddle. The nearly 2 years I had her, she was a constant companion, always at my ankles without a need for a leash, unless other dogs were around, until my living situation required bringing her back to my parents who cared for her these last 10 months of her life. She had her old yard back where she could play ball freely but she was losing her sight. We all loved her dearly and we were always so glad to see each other. She loved to sing along sometimes when I was practicing or composing. She loved all people once she got to know you but she was protective (sometimes overly so) of those closest to her, always on the alert. She gave the sweetest lil’ kisses that tickled the heart. She even aggressively, but playfully, caught bees around me like a fierce martial artist, perhaps knowing intuitively I was allergic. Sometimes she’d get stung but there was no stopping her if we were outside and a bee suddenly showed up. She had amazing ears. Now she’s blessed by all sweetest sounds of the Universe holding her now. Eternally grateful to you, Callie. If you would, please light a white candle for Callie and our family, wishing her well. Thank you. ♥♥♥

  13. If you saw the flier in Ace Hardware, VOC, Sedona here’s your good news update posted on Facebook:

    update on “Little Girl”, the puppy who I was posting about that was lost near Jacks Canyon in VOC. She is safe and back with her owners!! WHAT A MIRACLE! Here is the story of how it happened as told by her sister who was spearheading helping her…

    “She was in Pine valley.. My sister had to go home and when she was inVegas a lady called and asked her if she had found her dog.. My sister said no.. the lady said I think she is on my Horse ranch .. She saw her everyday around 5 pm ..but she wouldn’t come to her… so she saw the flyer in Ace hardware put 2 and 2 togather . and made the call. My sister left the next morning and went hiking in the vicinity ( middle of NOwhere) Calling and Calling her and she finally came out from hiding in a broken old trailer on the huge property…. Can u believe it ! Wha a miracle 10 days she was gone !”
    oh, I am SOO happy. thank you all for your prayers and sharing the posts.

  14. Oh happy day it was for all to be reunited again. Thank you, Annie Botticelli, for sharing this joyous and uplifting story.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  15. SedonaTimes @sedonatimes 20 Jun Tweet from Sedona Humane Society – What the U.S. postal service did for a devastated little girl after the death of her dog – true story READ IT sedonaeye.com/dear-god-love-…

  16. Ottawa is a yellow lab/golden cross looking to go home with a volunteer puppy raiser. All regions are in need of puppy raisers, but if you live in the Northeast and would like to raise Ottawa OR one of the puppies that are scheduled to arrive this summer, please contact us at 800-572-BARK.

  17. “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.”

  18. we printed this out and put it on our fridge and then sent it to friends in Idaho after they lost Girly when a truck ran over her a week ago (she got loose from her pen and ran out to the road) and heard back today that Anthony wants another copy because his friend took it for his mother after her 16 yr old dog died and we want another copy for the fridge because everybody reads it when they are in the kitchen helping. we worried that we couldn’t find the story but after reading all the comments we know why we still can~~~thank you for being the best home delivery inbox news EVER

  19. Heidi and Jeff Rossen, I’m honored that you took time to comment about the story of Abbey, Meredith, and the post office angel which, after it was sent to me, I had opportunity to share with other kindred spirits.

    Likewise I wish to thank our local Sedona Humane Society for having taken the time and effort to tweet and share this heartwarming story. (Wish they would please add Mom to their e-mail address list!)

    How sad I feel for those who weren’t blessed with the love bug for animals and pets.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  20. Liked this story on Facebook today.

  21. Brynda says:

    Dear All,

    My friend Gayle from sent me this link – LOVED IT – wish more stories were like this that tell the goodness of people…my worry is that the USPS will reprimand its employees to never do anything like this again because they don’t get paid for it and they might get sued – America is spiraling down to the lowest common denominator faster than ever. PLEASE KEEP TELLING US GOOD AND POSITIVE STORIES. I’m subscribing today to your newsletter. Thank you, Brynda Thorkelson, New Haven, CT

  22. Awwww! Had to hold back a few tears with this one. Very touching.

  23. Inoch says:

    Dear Harley,

    My dad has asked me to send you this website so that people can have a better understanding of what we, their four-legged companions/friends, can do to make their lives easier and less stressful:

    http://www.facebook.com/exploredogs

    Would it be OK, if from time to time, I send you similar websites to help humans appreciate us a bit more than they do?

    Your friend Inoch

  24. Hi there Inoch:

    Since the picture of you kissing my mother has gone viral, how could I possibly get away with denying you anything?

    Even tho Mom and I don’t twitter, twit, toot, peep, honk or face books (we don’t have time) the story you sent on the website made us feel warm and fuzzy (in a good way and not this horrid heat which denies me outings with Mommy) and we loved the photos.

    The final decision, of course, must come from the publisher/editor of Sedona Eye and the readers/subscribers.

    How about it? Should Inoch continue to send us heartwarming websites?

    Lovingly,

    Harley McGuire

  25. Our four-legged friends have done so much to assist people with disabilities, PTSD, Diabetis, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. They have been/still are the unrecognized heroes to many people who just take them for granted. I feel that Inoch’s efforts will help people appreciate the Harley’s, Sadie’s, Hudson’s and Inoch’s of this world. I am all for letting Inoch educate us a bit more about the canine benefits that we take so much for granted…

  26. Inoch says:

    Dear Harley,

    The lady who is in charge of Sedona Eye told my dad that it was OK for me to write every now and then to show how valuable we, four-legged friends, are.

    My human dad told me about an organization that trains dogs like you and me to help returning veterans with PTSD (I understand that it stands for something I really don’t understand, but it’s supposed to be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

    The people with PTSD are able to deal with their own problems by spending time with these dogs, and in some cases, training them to be able to help veterans who lost the use of their legs or arms to do the kind of things I learned at CCI (Canine Companions for Independence).

    I went to school from the time I was a grown puppy for 24 LOOONG months and some of the things I earned is stuff like, turning the light switch on with my nose, turning it off with my paws; picking up mom’s purse, keys or credit cards; opening and closing the front door; opening drawers with my mouth and pushing them closed with my nose…I know over 50 commands now and I am learning more and I am sure that my friends at Paws for Purple Hearts can do a lot of the things that I can do.

    I am sharing this with you so that in your very special column in the Sedona Eye, you can make people understand how valuable we are in doing what we can, so that life can be easier for a lot of humans and fix their broken lives.

    Hope you like it!!

    Your buddy,

    Inoch

    http://www.pawsforpurplehearts.org/

  27. CER says:

    I used to read your website all the time, seriously i love and i still do.

  28. A Fan says:

    This is a comment that my mother and I received from “A Fan” asking if it could be posted on “Dear God Love Meredith” with the following message:

    “Because this story touched so many hearts maybe this picture is a timely reminder of how blessed doggies and other pets are to have loving homes. When we hear stories of animals being abused it’s a wake up call to those of us lucky enough to live happily with humans who care.

    From “A Fan”

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

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