Jack & Rio

By Richard A Guiney

What do you believe happens, when we leave our earthly bodies behind and pass away?

    -     Open this door and you will see a world beyond    -

Jack O'Connor died in 2016 along with his faithful terrier, Rio. Their peaceful walk on the beach turned in

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Alan Guiney
• Release date: May 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087967035

Book preview

Introduction

What do you believe happens when you die? When we let go of our human bodies and pass away; does our soul go somewhere? Do you believe in heaven, hell, another life, or do you envisage nothing at all? One thing is for sure – whatever you believe, is your very own vision. Even people of the same religion will never picture or imagine the details of an afterlife in the exact same way.

There are approximately 7.7 billion human beings on this planet; therefore, billions of visions.

This is a story of fiction / fantasy -- but who is to say that it’s not one of the multitudes of individual accounts of an afterlife existence. A place and time in the heavenly realm, where you are still a vibrant positive being. Where if you look, there is a view of a delightful eternity.

Aware of your own soul and fortified with the armor of God, you must yet remain vigilant. The dark side, still present, is a magnet for those who refuse to see the possibility of eternal goodness. He would place a veil before your eyes to obstruct your view and attempt to make the doubter in you be the leader of your soul. He would say your lofty thoughts and prayers are nothing more than imagination and dusty dreams and should be forgotten. But even though hopes and dreams and imagination are in league with one another, there is a fourth leg built into this framework – faith. Faith can solidify the ethereal thought processes. Who can see eternity without riding the dreamy wings of imagination? Some dreams may seem dusty with time, but at their heart is a bubbling spring, fresh with goodness – always present and always ready to quench your spiritual thirst…

Chapter 1

My vision is clearing, I see I’m standing next to what I believe is my dog Rio. He’s sitting attentively staring up at me. He pops up onto his spring-loaded terrier legs and spins a circle, then two more; making eye contact each time around.

Then he says in perfect English, Good lord Jack, let’s do something.

I’m dreaming – strange, my dog just spoke, and was that a British accent I detected. I look at the dream dog; he’s now coming into full focus. Can’t be I thought, as reality tore away any ideas of a dream.

Then Rio says: Look at all this delightful nature, we should explore. As if it’s perfectly natural for a dog to speak to a human.

I knew it! Things are different. My first thought was that I had passed over to the other side; I was right. The body I was in released me, or somewhere along the way I had to let it go. And now as my sight takes focus, I see a vast array of glorious nature.

Rio – we’ve died.

I know, but I feel more alive now than ever.

Me too.

The cerulean blue sky with story-book white floating clouds are elusive memories of days gone by, but lend a calming effect to the situation. I’m wondering about a sound I’m hearing. It’s light and airy; subtle, not loud, and very pleasant. I believe it’s the sound of life in harmony. Then I realize the comfortable melody is in my own mind; like background music to life.

Even though I’m stunned and astonished to be in this place, and to be witnessing a talking animal, my faithful terrier Rio, I still feel good; actually, very good – unafraid, and quite comfortable, like I’m home, or at least in a friendly place. Was I here before I wondered? I’m still trying to gain my composure, but the adventurer in me is saying, you must seek to find. I’d always been a nature lover, and what I’m seeing is extraordinary.

I’m feeling bolder and I say, Alright Rio, let’s explore.

The path directly in front of us means we’re not alone in this place. We’re standing on a hill that is the only non-forested land in sight. There is a green world of beauty surrounding us. The path leads downhill into a forest or jungle. I’m aware of a fresh oxygen rich aroma, fresh like citrus and friendly like lavender, but light and airy. My nostrils flair and my lungs feel brand new.

As I step forward, I’m delighted to find that moving about is different than it was before. I needed to analyze this and I looked myself over. Well, I’ll be darned, it’s still my fifty-year-old Earthly self; five feet ten, and sturdy. I’ve always been a sports and outdoor enthusiast, so I’ve remained fit. I look down at my legs and feet – yeah, they’re mine alright. I even have the same tee-shirt, jeans and tennis-shoes on. I must say though, I’m feeling lighter and younger. My walking is as light as a breeze. I can envision my next step and be there before I realize it. I attempt to rationalize; oh yeah, of course, that’s what the brain always does. It goes on automatic when we walk. But now my steps are becoming longer. My legs are walking but something is moving me faster than my legs. It’s like walking on a fast people mover; quite a thrill. I stop to check on Rio. He’s leaping into the air – running and taking long leaps.

Hooraw! yells Rio. I see him have one roll-over landing.

Rio I called, come here. He dashed over in a blink. He made a sound that I would soon find out is a laugh. It‘s part voice and part nasal snort; I couldn’t help laughing with him. We laughed hard, and it was joyous; a deliverance, you might say, from where we were to where we are.

Hey Rio ole’ buddy, let’s be calm a minute. We’d better learn more about this new way of moving.

Right-o.

Ok, let’s try this; you stay here and I’ll go down the trail a ways. When I come back, you tell me what my walking looks like.

Capitol, let me know when you commence.

I smiled and began walking but when I looked up and saw a location for the test – I was suddenly there. That startled me, I didn’t want to come to grips with it. I looked back at Rio and said, Ok here I come, but then, it was here I am. What did that look like Rio?

Quite unnatural.

I think there’s a new natural.

Obviously.

I was surprised at his clarity of thought, and each time he spoke it tickled me, to think my ol’ buddy could talk.

Rio is a crossbreed of Rat Terrier and Fox Terrier, but he looks like a large Rat Terrier. He has big straight-up radar ears, a mostly white short smooth coat, with a face and eyes divided by black and white. He can stare intently or have calm friendly eyes that will have contact with yours for as long as you will.

Ok Rio, now you move about and I’ll observe."

I’d be delighted.

I went farther down the path closer to the forest, Ok Rio come on. He was there so quickly that he stumbled into me. "I’m not sure I saw you go from there to here.

Alright I said, wait right here, I want to try something. You’ll wait here won’t you?"

Yes, of course, I certainly will.

Wow your words sound so articulate and distinct.

I’ve always spoken this way, apparently not audible to you, but my lips and vocal chords are more usable now. My whole laughing gear is more flexible – I love it.

Well I sure love talkin’ to ya pardner. Ok I said, wait here I’ll be right back. The excitement was contagious.

Excellent, his 3 inch tail an uncontrollable blur.

With an excited grin, I looked at a place about 200 yards away. It was by the first tree at the edge of the forest. I was thinking, ok, that’s where I want to go. Suddenly I’m there looking back at Rio. That’s what I thought; it appears we can go wherever we think to go and as quick as the thought. I looked up into the canopy of the tree I was standing under; a strong and sturdy twelve-foot diameter trunk, with leaves like elephant ears. I almost find myself in the tree when I stopped and realize, we have to be careful what we think about.

I looked back at Rio and motioned him to come. Rio, always the over-achiever, was next to me before my arm was down.

What do you think I asked.

Like you said – it’s a new normal.

So we discussed the situation and agreed that we can travel at the speed of thought, and I believe we were beginning to read each other’s thoughts.

I wonder I said, If our thoughts are the same speed, you know, you being a dog and me a human. Rio looked at me like he felt sorry for me.

Well let’s just find out.

Alright – let’s see now, it’ll be like a race, but we have to control ourselves so we have an even start. Oh yeah, be careful what you get fascinated with, I almost went up into this tree."

He smiled his dog smile, "I know exactly what you mean.

Rio, I want you to make your mind blank. He immediately fell to the ground and played dead. No come on seriously. I will find a destination and I won’t allow myself to go there until I tell you – agreed?"

Absobloodylutely.

I looked through the trees into the forest and got a glimpse of a waterfall. It was all I could do, not to go there instantly.

Ok Rio, when I tell you, I want you to look where I point, then I’ll say a place and we’ll meet there. He nodded yes, and then said gentleman’s bet? I chuckled and agreed.

I pointed – he looked – I said waterfall. We were there at what I perceived to be the same time – maybe Rio was there a millisecond faster.

I had you all the way said Rio with his contagious snorty laugh.

Soon our laughter calmed and we find ourselves surrounded by a fresh green forest and staring at some of the most majestic waterfalls I’ve ever seen. Looking up the canyon we see more lofty towering falls. They are so high and primitive looking; it’s as though the water is falling in slow motion. There is a clean lightly scented aroma, like a whiff of blossoms floating on a soft breeze. We are both so taken in with the view, that it was a full five minutes before we realized, perched on a huge stone at the left side of the falls, is what appears to be an old bearded man sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Rio and I look at each other and mentally agree to approach. Rio is chuckling nervously and I’m wondering – is this God?

Chapter 2

The closer we come to the person the more convinced we are of his goodness. There is an aura around him – it conveys friendliness, kindness and love; there’s no denying it.

When we were close, I got down on one knee while Rio laid down, back haunches up, front feet forward, like an Egyptian statue and with a look on his face that had to be a smile.

Now I feel a searching of my mind for recognition. When suddenly the man’s eyes fly open and a truly happy smile lit up a sunshine face.

Oh Jack said the man, and young Rio, I’m so glad to see you.

I thought – well, Rio was 15 when he left our Earthly life – that’s getting up there for a dog. Then I notice Rio does look younger, a perfect canine specimen, and I’m feeling quite fit myself.

I look into the person’s eyes; I feel my mind is floating comfortably in tropical waters. I sense a higher level of thinking and intelligence. I’m so glad I know him, and absolutely elated that he knows us. I’m sure those eyes could take you anywhere you wanted to go, maybe anywhere you could imagine. I had complete trust in him. Then I heard an irritated urgent voice in my mind say:

Don’t go in there; you’ll lose your individuality.

Hmm, I thought, to lose my individuality to God Himself would be fine with me. Rio looked at me and I knew he also heard the voice.

Welcome the old man says. "Come closer – here, sit near me on the stone where we can talk. I’m so glad to see the two of you.

You may have guessed by now that you have been blessed to be here. But I tell you now, as wonderful as this existence is, it is nowhere near the ultimate heaven – to be in the presence of God Almighty. But yes – you may enjoy many things here. There are rewards for how you’ve lived, but you’re not complete, that will become clear as you travel in this place and as you visit other places in time. Oh, by the way, you may call me Walter or Walt"

So you are not God? I asked.

"No, but as you know, we are all God’s children. He has given everyone a spark of love that has no end; we may explore and build on that foundation and make it grow and shine, or we may hide it away, afraid to commit to all righteousness. You two have been letting it shine nicely. Your faith and pure heart, and Rio’s innocent goodness, is why you’re here; you are special. There are many who graduate to even higher places, and those that find themselves in a tougher existence than they left in their last life. It all depends on what a soul projects – positive or negative – it’s very simple. So you see, there are infinite levels of heaven and sadly, infinite levels of hell.

You’ve already had a taste of joy when you found one of your new abilities is to move with the speed of thought."

Rio made a squeal like a dog, then barely containing himself, said, OH, oho! Indeed sir.

The old man laughed with a deep booming voice and looking at Rio said, oh by the way, Rio was up and quivering with excitement and the old man said, Okay Rio come – and within a blink Rio was sitting comfortably on his lap. "You know, we don’t see many dogs on this level, but the ones that have come through have been fine dogs, as you have been. You have been beneficial to all the animal kingdom by showing an attitude of co-operation; to want to make efforts to communicate; to be connected to the humans, and especially your master, in a loving, always faithful, trustworthy manner. It’s helping to raise the level of consciousness in all dogs. And now, here you are. But beware; dogs have their own set of temptations. Stay close to your master, for there are infinite places to be in the past present and future; all of which will be available to you. But there could be problems if you two get separated in time zones – please help each other.

Let me tell you some interesting things. This is a stopping place, a base to journey from. Now Jack, you know about the concept of infinity and eternity – I want you to think about it for a moment. What first comes to your mind when you think about these concepts?"

Well, I think about how infinite and eternal our God is, the God of goodness.

Beautiful the old man said. Now, when you think about infinite physical worlds, what visions come into your mind?

I think about how everything goes on forever and ever. Rio looks up into the old man’s face and says, I think that’s possible.

The old man smiled with love and gentle patience. "I can see why the two of you are together; you have a somewhat dependent connection. Rio, you may be able to spiritually advance as far as your master - time will tell.

So when you visualize planets going on forever and ever, you must also visualize life wherever it’s sustainable; is that a reasonable assumption?"

Yes.

Then Rio, the confirming echo – yes absolutely.

I