Thursday, March 1, 2012

Yes, "All Dogs Do Go To Heaven"~

Our Sweet Loving Suzy sometimes called Suesue or Suzycue

Late Tuesday evening our sweet little dog Suzy was having difficulty breathing. We took her to a Pet Emergency room where they kept her there for further tests. After tests yesterday it was found that she had pulmonary edema with right sided heart failure. We went into the pet hospital where we held her in our arms as she took her last breath. She was brought home and buried in the strawberry patch where she loved to lay. She was a gentle sweet little dog and we will miss her so much. Sammy our other dog keeps looking around for her; they were very good friends as well.
In the year 2008 we first lost our cat of 18 years named Willie. Then our sweet Maltese Dog named Dollie was hit by a car in front of our house that year. She died instantly.This affected me profoundly at the time because she was my little dog. She was sweet natured and loving. I said at that time that I didn't want to feel that pain again. More of the story of Willie and Dollie can be found here; The Miracle of the Lilac Bush. We were blessed in December that year with another puppy, a Shih Tzu that we named Sammy. He was free and we couldn't turn him down. He has been such a character and bonded immediately with my husband. Later on due to him being so rambunctious we decided to get him a companion dog. We thought at the time if he had a friend he might calm down a bit. We found in the paper a breeder who was selling some puppies. When we went to see about this, we found Suzy. We were told at that time that she was around 5 years old. She had been one of their breeder dogs. When we brought her home; Sammy was curious at first but soon they became friends. 
Over the next few weeks we began to believe that she had been part of a puppy mill. She must have given birth to many litters. She seemed older than her years. We were told by the Veterinarian yesterday that she was probably over 10 years old. Although she didn't play a lot. She liked to be held and always sat with me in my chair when we were watching TV or just relaxing.
She loved to go outside with Sammy and recently he has been very protective of her. If she was left outside; he would come into the study where my husband works and whine. When my husband would follow him he would go to the door and scratch and there was Suzy. We could also send him outside to bring her back in. It was so cute. She had lost her hearing and was becoming blind.
Yesterday was a rough day and we are grieving and that is important. She has a place in our hearts and we will miss her.
This is sad Sammy ~

A question has been raised --Can animals be with their owners in the hereafter? I believe that they can. We believe in an afterlife for all mankind as well animals. Animals will be resurrected and receive Salvation automatically through the atonement of Christ. Here are a few bits of doctrine on this matter. "The animals will be resurrected and placed in their appropriate places in Heaven. As the fall of Adam affected animals, so also through the atonement will animals be heirs of salvation in their respective spheres". (Sacred Truths of the D&C Vol. II, p. 69.)
Elder Orson F. Whitney an early day Apostle stated: " Emotional ties my be honored and family pets may well be restored to their owners in the resurrection. He wrote that the Prophet Joseph Smith expected to have his favorite horse in eternity. (Improvement Era, Aug. 1927, p. 85.)
Yes, I do believe that all dogs go to Heaven and that we will someday reunite with our precious pets. 

16 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

So sorry to hear about your Suzy. Sounds like she really made her way into your hearts.

=)

singing/granny said...

Oh I am sad for you! It is hard to lose a sweet pet. I am glad you included your references to pet afterlife. I have always felt that we would get to see our pets again, and it is nice to see some doctrine on this point. Thank you LeAnn! Melody

Marmee's Pantry said...

Oh, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet little dog. We, too, are "dog people." In our 27yrs of marriage we've been blessed w/3 wonderful dogs: Bonnie (Bonnie Blue Butler) & Hickory (Hickory Dickory Dog) were both Shelties & were so smart & obedient, great protectors as our girls were born & raised. Bonnie died of a rare cat strain of pneumonia; even the vet was amazed. She was a sable & white (like a little Lassie) & her eyes were the color a brand new copper pennies, she was 4 yrs old & just lovely. Hickory was "the boy" who helped raise the girls & he had to be put down b/c of liver cancer just after her was 10 yrs old in Jan. of '08. A week after he passed, we picked out our little Maggie (Magpie Maggie Mae), a black Miniature Schnauzer. QUITE a difference but quite the little character.

I'll be praying ~ they are a sweet part of our families, aren't they?

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Just Ramblin' said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your little Suesue. These sweet little animals bring so much love into our lives. I truly believe we will see our pets again. When my sweet Blue Persian Cat left us, it was so difficult, but I believe with all my heart that I will see him again. The quote from Elder Whitney about the prophet Joseph Smith was a great comfort to me when Friskers (18 years old) passed on. Take care.
Nola

Marie Rayner said...

Leann, you can take comfort in the knowledge that you and your husband gave your little one a lovely home and a life far better than the one she must have had in a puppy mill. I like to believe we will have our pets in heaven. Our Heavenly Father has provided for everything else, why not our beloved pets as well. I cannot believe that He hasn't. ((((hugs)))) xxoo

Galen Pearl said...

So sorry about your loss. I am counting on seeing Sam when I die. He was the canine love of my life.

Darlene said...

These precious animals are truly part of one's family. I am sure you are mourning this little pet. The picture of Suzy and Sammy is so cute. I have always loved animals, but am so allergic to them that I can't have them anymore. I still love to visit with my daugher Nancy's dog though and if I could, I would take her home with me. Her name is Jazzy (short for Jasmine) and she is so well loved by all of her family and me. I'm wondering if you will get another companion for Sammy. I feel sorry for him and I can just picture him looking all over the house for Suzy. Pretty heart wrenching blog, but very sweet too. I'm glad that you will see all of your beloved pets again one day.

Anonymous said...

Oh so sorry LeAnn. She looks sweet as can be. And poor little Sammy missing her... :(

Barb said...

Hi Leann~

So sorry to hear about your sweet little Suzy, she was such a sweet girl. I think that it's really reassuring to know that we can be with our precious pets on the other side. There are a few pets that I just loved so much and can't wait to see again! I hope that Sammy will recover soon, he will undoubtedly get tons of hugs and affection from you and Roger. My prayers are with you.

Hugs and Love,
Barb

Christy Monson said...

I'm so sorry about your dog. We have some dogs in our family that have been rescued from puppy mills. They come to the family so damaged, and then grow into wonderful loving adorable friends.

Anonymous said...

So sorry Mom and Dad! Sue Sue will be missed! Loved her:) Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs and kisses to you both and Samie:)

Love,
Tiffani

Anonymous said...

How can a dog have salvation when they do not have human souls? They have no accountability on this earth. They don't "really" know right from wrong.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

LeAnn, I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet little Suzy. I know how it hurts to lose a beloved pet. Take comfort in the knowledge that she had a wonderful home with you and that she knew much love. I'm sure that our pets must go to heaven, too. Hugs, Cheryl

Kim-A Creative Spirit said...

Oh sweetie. Sounds like you have some puppy grieving yourself. They are a member of the family too and it is hard to lose them.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see me on my blog. I am really going to be working on the steps of grief somehow. I know my mom would miss the old me, so I need to find that person again to make mom proud.

Mom of 12 said...

So sad to hear about your sweet puppy, LeAnn. What a wonderful place to lay her to rest.
Sandy

Galen Pearl said...

I see that I commented on this before. At the time I was thinking of Sam. Now I hoping to see Sam and Sadie in heaven. How comforting to know there is some "authority" for this belief! Thanks for reminding me of this post again.