Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month.  The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.   She asked if we could write a letter to God  so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize  her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:
   
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog?  She died yesterday  and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much.  I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to  play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so  when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really  miss her.
Love, Meredith.
   
We put the letter in an envelope with a  picture of Abbey and Meredith  and addressed it to God/Heaven.  We put our  return address on it.  Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of  stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped  it into the letter box at  the post office.   A few days later, she asked  if God had gotten the letter yet.  I told her that I thought He had.
     
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in  gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an  unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr.  Rogers called ''When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front  cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
 
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here  with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog.
     
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets  to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this  little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.  Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.  I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.  By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God