“You look pretty serious today, Toby.  Are you enjoying the shade of this tree?” asked Grandfather’

Toby was sitting on a big root of the tree in the backyard.

“I guess so,” said Toby.  He looked up at his Grandfather and smiled halfheartedly.  “I’m really more sad, I guess.”

Grandfather knelt down beside Toby and looked at him for a minute.  Then he said. “Toby, a boy your age should be playing with some of his friends instead of sitting under a tree feeling sad.  Can you tell me what is troubling you so?”

Toby put his head on his knees and said, “Butch, my dog, died, Grandfather.  I really miss him.”

“Oh my,” said Grandfather, “when did that happen?  I’m sorry but I didn’t know about Butch.  Was he sick?”

“I don’t know what was wrong with Butch.  I went to feed him yesterday morning and he was dead.”  Toby began to pucker up like he might cry.

“Well, how old was Butch?” asked Grandfather.

“He was older than me.  Dad got him before i was born.”  Toby raised his head and leaned back on the tree.

“My goodness, he must have died of old age then,”exclaimed Grandfather.  He looked at Toby and saw a glimmer of a smile.

“Yeah, I bet that was it.  I sure miss him.  I was going to take him to the park and run and play with him but now I can’t.  Grandfather, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course you can, Toby.  I may not be able to answer it but try me.”

“Grandfather, do dogs go to heaven?”

Grandfather lay back on the grass and thought for a minute.  Then he raised up on one arm and said, “I really don’t know, Toby.  I have asked the same question several times when my pets have died.”  Toby’s mouth began to turn to a frown he looked at his grandfather.

Grandfather continued, “C. S, Lewis, a great Christian writer, once said, “It seems to me possible that certain animals may have an immortality, not in themselves, but in the immortality of their masters.”  Now that may be hard to understand but I think he may have been on the right tract.  Just remember, God cares for all his creation.”

Toby looked into Grandfather’s face and could see a little twinkle in his eye.

“Grandfather, are you trying to tease me with big words?”  He raised up from the tree root and slid over on the grass near his grandfather.

“Do you think God created Butch like He has everything else. Toby?”

“Oh Grandfather, you know God did.  You told me enough times that God created everything; birds, animals,fish, the earth and us.

“Toby, you must have lots of good memories about Butch.  You will always have these memories with you even if you don’t have Butch.”

Suddenly Toby sat up.  “Grandfather, I think i see what you mean.  God takes care of all his creation including us, right?  So, God will take care of Butch and I will have the memories with me.  I will have a little bit of him with me but i can still miss him.  I like that idea Grandfather.”  Toby jumped up and grabbed Grandfather’s hand, helping up.  “It’s cool aid time,” Toby said as they headed for the house.

The End