Good day my friends! We’ve already been walking for hours this morning. For some reason we all woke up with all kinds of energy, of course the Lab Gang leads the way, so we’re moving on. We’ve seen and learned so many things as my heavenly pals and I continue our adventure through dog Heaven! The path has suddenly turned rocky and seems to be winding upward. In the distance we notice a figure lying on a flat rock along the edge of the path.
      As we get closer Ziti and Tank run ahead to see what the figure is. A brown haired dog slowly lifts its head as Ziti jumps and barks with excitement to say hello. Tank barks, “what is your name?” The brown dog barks timidly, “I have no name.” My heavenly pals and I all look at each other in amazement, how could he have no name? As we all gather round, the brown dog lowers his head. “Why is it that you have no name”, I barked.
      My earthly master never seemed to really care for me much! He kept me tied outside day and night, and if I barked too much he’d yell, dog, quiet. One day my master decided he didn’t want me around any more, so he dropped me off at this place they called a shelter for dogs. I always felt unloved and in his way, so I was somewhat relieved when he dropped me off, thinking I would meet other dogs and cats and maybe loving and kind people too!
      The caretakers at the shelter were very nice to me, giving me a warm cage to stay in, feeding me and took me for walks, as much as they could. There were lots of dogs surrounding me in cages, and we’d bark amongst ourselves becoming friends as the days passed.
      People would walk through the shelter peering into the cages at each one of us! It could get pretty noisy, as we would bark, hoping someone would pick us and take us with them to a loving home. We all need someone to love us, and hoped this would be our day! When one of us would get adopted, barks of joy filled the shelter for we all were happy that one of our pals was on their way to a new and loving home.
      But I never was chosen! Last Fall I got very sick and soon arrived here in doggy heaven. I wondered up this rocky path and have been here ever since. This heavenly place is beautiful and peaceful, but this secluded place amongst the rocks, seemed to be perfect for me.
      Lucky, one of the heavenly felines purred, “everyone should have a name!” Squeeky meowed, “We have to give you a name!” Everyone barked in agreement, but the brown dog just laid with his head between his paws!
      The lab gang came in closer and Remington, barked, “we are sorry your earthly life brought you sadness. But just because your past made you feel unworthy of love, you must continue to believe you are special.
      I barked, “God gave each of us life and we’ve seen here in doggy heaven how He watches over each and every animal of his creation. His eyes are always on us. He got you to that doggy shelter where people cared for you, and where you were safe. We wish that all our brothers and sisters in the shelters could be adopted. If people only knew the endless amount of unconditional love and comfort we have to give. The thought that shelter dogs and cats would receive love and care with masters that cherish their companionship, brings a doggy grin to us all.”
      Ruger barked with excitement, “Take a look around! Look where you are! You are in a heavenly world, surrounded by the most beautiful meadows you have ever seen. They are a gift to each of us.”
      Dutch, barked...”and if you love to play in the water, ahhh, there is a creek that you can play in anytime.” Sebastian adds, “you are free to run, play, and sleep when and wherever you wish.”
      Kachina howled, “cmon you can run with us dogs now....even get to know those two felines over there.”
      The brown dog lifted his head and looked around at all of us standing around him and barked, “do you really want me to join you and be your pal!”
      Ziti jumped up on the rock next to him, “we sure do, but first you need a name.”
      Lucky meowed, “how about Carey which means well loved.” Suddenly we all howled in agreement.
      As the brown dog stood, you could see his head rise, his body stand tall, and his tail began to wag, “My name is Carey...I have a name, I have heavenly pals, I have love.”
      I barked, “Let’s go! Down the path we all ran, jumping and playing along the way with our new found friend Carey.” And our tails were awaggin.