All Dogs Go to Heaven

My beautiful blue heeler Beau is being put down this morning. He is 10 years old and he has belonged to us since he was 8 weeks old. He can catch a frisbee, a ball, or anything else that you were willing to toss in mid-air. He entertained all the neighborhood kids and passer-bys who wanted to throw the frisbee for the "flying dog". He is extremely smart and stubborn. Is house trained but stayed outside mostly. As he got older it became a game of "outwit, outlast, and outplay" when we would try to put him out and it was cold outside. He would take off running and drag himself under our bed or any place else where it was impossible to get to him. One day, he had wedged himself in so tight under our bed that he just slept there the entire day. We ultimately had to help him get out. They say that 10 years old is a good life for a dog. I guess. But the aging process isn't really kind to any of us. He started having "accidents", and a couple of months ago had a seizure. He was on an arthritis medication and still played frisbee with George but now instead of out in the field behind the house, they played in the back yard where Beau didn't have to run as hard or fast. Saturday, he had three seizures and the last two were pretty violent. We took him to the "hospital" at 11 that evening and the next morning after church picked him up with some anti-seizure meds. He never got to take them. He had another seizure at the vet's office that morning and just couldn't recover. After nursing him all day and staying up with him off and on all night....I made THE CALL this morning. Our wonderful vet is making a house call at 10:00. He is going to assess Beau and then make the decision. But I already know. I love that dog... A LOT. He is like a member of the family. He is not himself. In fact, he is a mess. It is breaking my heart but because I love him I know that I have to be merciful to him and give him rest. It is said that dogs don't have souls. That is why they don't go to heaven. I agree with part of that. Beau doesn't have a soul but he has heart and spirit. And that will live in my spirit. My love for him will live in my heart. And when I die I will take it with me. So, yes, he will get to go to heaven.... in my heart. I will miss you dear friend. You were a great dog.