After adding the drawing of the dachshunds, I received an email that was so touching that I asked the sender if I could post it with the drawing.

She graciously consented.

What a wonderful example of how God provided comfort to a child in need.

It is understandable why this woman chose not to share her name on the Internet - but I want to publicly thank her for her willingness to share her story with all of us.

I was only five years old when sexual and physical abuse began in my life.  Two older brothers, and my father, were all involved at one point or another until I was nearly 17 years old.

When I was in 8th grade, we acquired a family dog-- a dachie.  I loved that dog dearly, and soon he became "my dog".  The stairs in our old farmhouse curved and went up steeply, and each night, "Spook" would wait patiently for me on the 5th step until my homework was done.  Then I'd carry him the rest of the way up, and plop him down.  He'd zip down the hall to my bedroom, make a flying leap on my bed, and we'd snuggle in for the night.

My older brother, very abusive to me, would sometimes try to "dognap" him to his room.  He'd go upstairs earlier, and take the dog with him.  I would wait until I was sure my brother was asleep, creep down the hall, unhook the leash he used to tie him to his bed, and Spook and I would race back to my room, my heart beating wildly.  We'd jump on the bed, Spook would climb on my lap, and my brother would be on his way, very angry.  But he couldn't touch me, or the dog.  Spook would growl and snap at him as he tried to hit us, and for once my brother was afraid.

That dog was my only protector in that family. He was my friend, and his coat absorbed many a tear. Eventually, Spook had to be put to sleep after many years.  I didn't even go to the vet to see him off, and have felt badly about that ever since.  And I certainly never thought about Spook being with Jesus, but if ever a dog was put on this earth by God as a gift to a little girl, Spook was it.  And so it seems very fitting to see him in this picture. The picture looks so much like him--he was heavy, and large for a dachie.  Many of them are small, miniature.  I think he was so large because he had so much heart in him, and so much comfort to give me.

While the emotions this picture brings up are painful, and the tears are falling, there is such a joy in focusing on the thought of Spook in a good place.  I've always figured animals had to go to heaven, too, because they bring such comfort to so many!  And I can't imagine heaven without them.