Togo Goes to God

A lot of people like to debate whether or not dogs go to Heaven. In an effort to save more time than Daylight Savings Time ever will, let me just say that we will definitely go to heaven.

You see, that’s because dogs understand things humans do not. For example, I understand that anything small and portable left in my reach is supposed to be swiped and is destined to be the object of a grand game of chase. No matter how many times this happens, my Momma and Daddy just don’t get this. But that’s okay because as long as one of us understands, the game goes on.

They also don’t understand that anything that we discover along our walk that is (a) food, (b) looks like food, (c) smells like food, (d) could conceivably become food if chewed long enough, or (e) used to be food is to be seized and, if possible, swallowed. As dogs, we begin our walks with this premise in mind. It never ceases to amaze me that Momma and Daddy always seem to be surprised when, in their words, an “unseemly event” happens. 

I could go on and on about how much dogs understand because we understand most things. And we talk to God all the time. God likes dogs and he talks to us. 

Momma and Daddy talk to God, too. In fact, they set aside a special time for me right before my meals to have a talk with God. One day, when it was raining, Daddy even brought out his umbrella so we could pray without getting totally drenched. He calls this picture “Prayer Cover.”

Prayer Cover

But with all that I do understand, there are many things I don’t.

War. Innocent casualties. Cruelty. Cancer. Bigotry. Death too soon. Family struggles. Covid. Poverty. Hunger. Homelessness. 

I pray about these things. I ask God to take them away.

And then there are other things that I pray for.

How good friends make me feel. Babies. Small objects that are easily swiped. Doggie treats. Walks. Momma and Daddy. Family. Food. Water. Fresh hay in my dog igloo. Green grass in summer. Snow in winter. Umbrellas to keep us dry while we pray. 

I thank God for these things and many more as I think of them. 

Of course dogs go to heaven. We never stop talking to God.