Max Has Moved On

"For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God." -Job 12:10

Perhaps by now you have heard that my dear boy, Max, died. He was almost 16, which is pretty old for a Yorkshire Terrier. Max had a condition that caused the outside of his brain to put pressure on the rest, and he gradually lost his ability to walk or maintain his balance. He remained sweet, even during the most difficult times, though you could tell he was frustrated. Not being able to stand while eating made him lose his appetite.
Monday, January 31, I awoke to hear him crying with every breath. I went downstairs to find Gwen holding him, tears streaming down her face. We knew his time had come. I sat with him for the next hour and a half as we waited for the Vet's office to open up. The entire office was in tears, knowing the old gentleman with the long tongue was done with life in this world.
Max had a following on Internetspirations. I learned a lot from walking him.
There was something different about him from any other dog I've been blessed to own. Max had a thoughtful outlook. He was never a disciplinary problem. He just seemed... to know things, like when you were hurting, or who needed love.
Max had compassion. He found our parakeet, Chico, abandoned at a mall, and called my attention to him. When Priscilla had an operation, he brought her a chew toy. He knew Gwen had never been close with dogs, so he chose her as his favorite lap. He had a sense of humor and the way things ought to be done. He loved car rides (he could say the word "go"). He was, in short, a wise, silent gentleman, who's only vice was a constant desire for a good butt scratch.
He had a long life, and will live always in our memories. I look forward to seeing him again. Do dogs go to heaven? I am certain of it. The essence of life is in all of God's creation, and I take the Bible at its word when it says that every soul is in God's hand.
Billy Graham once said "I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there."
One thing is certain: if ever a dog deserved to go to heaven, it would be Max.
So I expect to see him first as I leave this life, ambling toward me with his tongue hanging out, his tail wagging vigorously. My own, personal escort into eternity. That boy was an angel on earth. I can't imagine heaven any other way.