Stairway To Heavens

By Shelley Knight

One dog can be fiercely loyal, but two can turn heaven into earth. This is the story of two dogs who do just that in their quest to right the world and what they believe to be their true destiny. Regardless of the challenges, they are not to be deterred from correcting the mistakes they fear will be the undoing of the people they love most.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shelley Knight
• Release date: Jul 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301832699

Book preview

STAIRWAY TO HEAVENS

Stairway To Heavens

Shelley Knight

Copyright 2013 by Shelley Knight

Smashwords Edition

FORWARD

Almost everyone in the world will have a pet sometime in his or her lifetime. Sometimes pet ownership begins in childhood, for others it may not happen until old age but once you’ve had a pet, your life will never be the same.

Animals bring untold happiness into our lives. They cheer us up and keep us company in our hour of sadness. They are profusely loyal, live only to please us and for some keep some semblance of hope alive in what can sometimes be described as world wrought with confusion and uncertainty.

This is the story of two such people.

I

Max found himself in a field of grass laced with dog biscuits. He hadn’t felt this good for ages after treating himself to some before bounding across the field only to stop and roll over in the freshly cut grass, wiggling on his back and then digging his nose deep into the moist ground. He lifted his nose to the air, trying to lock on to a familiar smell but nothing smelled familiar. This baffled him. Where was he? He snarfed up a few more of the doggy biscuits and began to wander.

He had never seen anything so beautiful. Mountains of treats, toys and food surrounded the valley that lay open to him. He bound down the hill where a host of different breeds of dogs were gathered.

Hi, I’m Max! His voiced boomed out deep and resonating. All the dogs stopped in their conversation and stared at the new comer. Max was a Golden Retriever, and large for his breed. His coat was the lightest color any of the dogs had ever seen. As Max had bounded down the hill the sun filtering through his coat made it look like it was on fire. Such comments could be heard emanating from the crowd. A sheep dog came sniffing around him and Max stayed alert. Just got here, eh? Said the sheep dog with a Scottish accent, my name is Bowser. Anything you need, sir, anything at all, sir, come see me."

Where am I? Max asked confused. It’s amazing here, but I think I must have wandered off and am lost. Which way to the camping grounds?

"Max, you aren’t lost. Think back, doesn’t anything come to you? Bowser asked full of concern. He knew some dogs had no recollection of events especially if they were very sick when they made their final journey. Max’s face was deep in concentration, thinking hard about the events of the Past few days but nothing was coming to him.

As the awareness crept over his face, Max looked pained and said, Oh my, I’m dead aren’t I? Max had only cried a few times but now he could feel the warm, moist tears racing down his cheeks. I can’t remember if I said good-bye! Do you know what happened?

Nope, sport, said Bowser, but I can take you into the hall of departures and you can see for yourself. The shaggy sheep dog offered. The other dogs began to gather around Max, knowing all too well how ending up here can cause some dogs a lot of stress. Many of the dogs began Piping up saying; Don’t worry Max. while others put a paw on his shoulder or back, demonstrating their support.

Max was in shock. His heart was pounding. How could he forget dying? How long had it been? What did it all mean? Would he be sent back? What was going to happen?

The group of dogs herded Max down to the bottom of the valley where several buildings made for a small compound. A large Airedale, started over to the group. You must be Max. I am so sorry you arrived without anyone greeting you. I am Henry and this is an unforgivable oversight that will be corrected now. Welcome to Doggy Heaven Max! Everything is here only for the wanting. You’ll never go hungry or be cold and you will always be loved.

Max thought to himself, this is getting too bizarre! He backed up and growled toward Henry. I already am loved! I never went hungry and my human takes great care of me! I want to go home. My human needs me, what will he do without me? I must go back! He’ll be lost without me! Max’s words were so forceful that all the dogs backed up, unsure what the stranger was capable of.

I’m sorry Max, there won’t be any going back. You have lived your life on Earth and now it is in the heavens you will reside. You had a long life Max, longer then many of your breed, and you fulfilled your time on Earth exceptionally well, other wise you would be in Dog House. Please don’t fight this. Henry looked at Max hoping to see the softness that comes to a Golden’s eyes when they understand. My understanding is that you were faithful to your human beyond expectations and did everything doggedly possible for your human.

At first this news made Max very angry and he wasn’t sure himself if he could keep himself from attacking all of them. His hair was up and he was on his haunches in lurch mode when it suddenly came to him that fighting the only dogs that might be able to help him wasn’t the answer. He laid down and hung his head low…the words were sinking in and he was feeling pangs of sadness that felt so alien after feeling so good. I want to go to the hall of departures, I must see what happened. I am trying so hard to remember and am frustrated that nothing comes to me. Please take me there Henry. said Max staring at Henry with a Pleading look in his eyes that Henry could not make himself say ‘no’ to. Of course he wouldn’t have had to say ‘no’, going to the Hall of departures was a privilege afforded to all of doggy heaven’s creatures.

Follow me Max, I will take you to the hall of departures, but you must Promise that this is to say good-bye and you won’t continue to request your return to Earth, not even Dog can grant you that. Henry stated as a matter of fact, Do I have your word?

Yes, mumbled Max, knowing Henry must hear these words, Just take me there.

The hall was a large adobe building with figures of dogs carved all over the outside façade. The sun’s rays brought out vibrant colors of turquoise, mauve, rose and a brilliant orange. It looked as if the building was alive and reminded Max how dead he was even though he had never felt so alive.

They entered through two large ornate wood doors. Henry knew everyone and began chatting with a group while the beauty of the inside absorbed Max. His jaw hung open taking in all the decorations that adorned the walls. There was the story of Dog, illustrated with tiles depicting the first evolved dog on Earth and their story onwards to present day. Max could easily spend hours in this room and Planned to once he got his bearings.

Henry called Max over, obviously happy he was so taken with the room. He introduced Max to the dogs there, but Max wasn’t paying attention to any of them. His eye had caught the most beautiful Golden Retriever he had ever seen and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Max elbowed Henry and threw his nose in the direction of his heartthrob and whispered, Introduce me. Henry rolled his eyes and said, Oh yes, Max, this is Cate.

Cate had her eyes averted, and held her Paw for Max to take. At first that confused him, but thankfully he caught on and took it into his Paw and licked it. Cate began to giggle but regained her composure and said she was Charmed. Max moved closer to her and thought to himself he never wanted to leave her side. Cate was on the petite side. Her coat was a combination of red and blonde and that brought out her gold eyes, which bestowed a brilliant light. It was difficult to look away.

Henry began to say to Max that they could go into the departure chamber but stopped himself and instead said, Cate can take you into the chamber to view your departure if you like.

Max jumped on this and readily agreed if Cate wouldn’t mind. Cate said, Of course I don’t mind Henry. Right this way Max. and the two entered the departure chamber. Cate waved. Thanks Henry, see you later. Max said as an afterthought and hoped Henry heard him.

She led him through a maze of doors and little rooms with Pillows and mats covering the floor. She opened the door second to last in the third hallway and the lights came on. A large screen hung on one wall, there were several large cushions fashioned around the room. Bowls filled with chewies, Pigs feet, and toys lay about the room for anyone’s enjoyment.

Why don’t you get comfortable Max on one of the cushions. Sometimes this can be very daunting to the system so grab anything that might make you feel more comfortable and secure. Cate said kindly looking at him with wise eyes.

Max shyly asked, Would you sit next to me? He was afraid she would say ‘no’ but he really did want her near him since he didn’t know what to expect.

Yes, Max, I will sit next to you. Cate had to suppress a giggle, not because she found Max silly but she was so flattered by his sincerity. She lay down next to Max and said, Let the show begin. The lights dimmed.

It rolled like a movie and Max was the star. The footage began with Max’s human Chad Picking Max out of the litter. Chad was playing with all the Puppies but he paid special attention to Max and ended up choosing him. There were fragments of time brought to the big screen of Chad when he was alone, Chad when he got married, trips Chad and Max took alone, and Chad when he got divorced and ultimately with Chad alone again after Max became very despondent during their last camping trip together.

Max was embarrassed at first to show his emotions, but he couldn’t control the tears. Cate put her paw on his to let him know she was