Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective

by Gregory M. Simpson

I am at the stage in life where I read obituaries.  Was it Mark Twain who said that he was just checking to make sure that his name was not there?
One learns a great deal from reading obituaries, most notably how rich a life can be whether one lives to be 13, 33, or 103. 
The loved ones left behind are sad, of course, including the companion animals.  Many obituaries show just how loved and cherished a member of the family a companion animal can be.  In some cases, one can inadvertently sacrifice his or her own life while trying to save a companion animal.
Recently an obituary described a 42-year-old woman who died off a California beach attempting to rescue her beloved old dog who was swept away by extreme surf.  Donations in her memory were for two charities, one of which was a dog rescue group, undoubtedly in honor of her dog and the love she had for him.
In a memorial to note the anniversary of the death of one man, another inscription read, "We can’t believe it’s been one year since we lost you.  It still feels like yesterday, we miss you so much.  Your 20 feline babies are fine and really miss you also, but show us in many ways, your love and presence.  You will be in our hearts forever."
The above two memorials reflect what the French writer, Colette, had in mind when she wrote, "Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet."  For as Anatole France wrote, "Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened."
Echoing those sentiments, here is a tale that came by e-mail with author unknown: 
A man and his dog were walking along a road.  The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he had died. 
He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years.  He wondered where the road was leading them. 
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.  It looked like fine marble.  At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. 
When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.  He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. 
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?" 
"This is Heaven, sir", the man answered. 
"Wow!  Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked. 
"Of course, sir.  Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." 
The man gestured, and the gate began to open. 
"Can my friend", gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked. 
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets." 
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog. 
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it never closed.  There was no fence. 
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. 
"Excuse me!" he called to the man.  "Do you have any water?" 
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."
 "How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump," the man offered.
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. 
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, and then he gave some to the dog. 
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. 
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. 
"This is Heaven," he answered.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said.  "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too." 
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?  Nope.  That's hell." 
"Doesn't it make you mad that they use your name like that?" 
"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."
For the animals,
Gregory M. Simpson
Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals.  Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S.  He is also a member of the Cat Writers’ Association.