[Robert Marshall] :
Question:
Will our Pets be in Heaven?
I am happy to say absolutely! Yes!
Those who read the book “44 HOURS IN HEAVEN” already know the answer and why I am so sure. For those who have not had the chance to read the book, I am excited to share how and why my answer is yes.
On May 19th, 2024, I died 3 times and went to Heaven each time I died. When I died the 2nd time, I went to Heaven instantly. Just like the first time I went to Heaven, I experienced the love and peace, the beauty, the smells in the air, and the feelings of being connected to everything and everyone and they were a welcoming familiarity of coming home.
Unlike the first time, I was standing at the edge of a beautiful field of tall grass that had the same beautiful trees scattered throughout. Looking to my left, in the far distance, I saw the inner courtyard and my dad was still there, but this time, my mom was there.
I looked around, still in amazement at how beautiful everything was, how magnificent and bright the colors were, how warm and loving the light, sounds, and smells that filled the air were, and how peaceful and calm it was.
159
It was at this time I was treated to a surprise. Our pets that we love are in heaven!
Two horses and three dogs greeted me. The horses were Carol’s and mine; their names are Shakush and Nugget.
Shakush is a pure white Arabian who has the personality of a playful clown. He would get in the arena without Carol on his back and jump and play with her like a playful dog would do, except he was a horse and much larger, but just as gentle. Carol raised and trained Shakush herself and was the only person who rode him. Carol was and still is an excellent horseperson and rider. She glides when riding, and it is a thing of beauty to watch. When Carol and Shakush were both younger, she would show him at horse shows, and they often finished in the top 3. When Carol would ride him, he was always a perfect gentleman, and they would ride for hours in the arena and open fields. While running uphill on a trail he would buck, tossing his head in absolute joy. Regardless of the hill, the gait, or his mood, Carol could always brace herself for a joyful exuberant buck.
Nugget is a buckskin quarter horse and absolutely beautiful. She did not have the same personality as Shakush, but rather, she always acted very regal and gentle. Carol would ride Nugget, and on a rare occasion, she would share Nugget with me for a trail ride. Nugget was raised and trained by Carol just like Shakush. Both Shakush and Nugget were magnificent horses and were truly a gift and blessing from God.
160
Three dogs greeted me with our two horses. Two of the dogs that greeted me are named Fudge 1 and Fudge 2 because they are dark brown and sweet, just like Fudge. We named all of our dogs Fudge, so we don’t get their name wrong when a new pet joins our family. There was a third dog that approached me in Heaven with the others, but I did not recognize her. I later learned the dog was named Annie and was Carol’s dog before we met.
Fudge 1 was a rescue dog that was a sweet little dog that would run and play his game of catch me. Of course, it was only when he decided to let us catch him that we were able to. Then he would cuddle up like the sweet dog he was. It was his way of playing.
Fudge 2 was used as a bait dog prior to our rescuing him. He wanted to be sweet and loving but had some prior issues as a result of his abuse before he became part of our family. There were times he would snap or have a flashback. It took a long time and a lot of love before he would trust us. However, he eventually did, and he turned out to be a sweet little boy. He would jump around like a kangaroo. He was unbelievably quick and would spring around like a bouncing ball. He still had flashbacks occasionally, back to when he was abused and treated so meanly. When this happened, it was as if he recognized what happened and was sorry for snapping at us, that was when we got the most loving and cuddling from him. Our best efforts did not erase his abuse on earth. In heaven he’s no longer like that. He is a happy puppy running and playing.
161
The third dog's name was Annie. I didn’t know the third dog's name until I was out of the hospital and was telling Carol about going to Heaven and our pets being there. It was when I described the dog I did not recognize that she said it was her dog, Annie. Carol had Annie before I even knew her. Mystery solved.
We currently have a dog, and of course, that is Fudge 3. He is a spitting image of Fudge 2, only sweeter.
So, when I say that our pets are in Heaven, it is not just a hopeful desire; it is an eyewitness account. I saw our horses and dogs, and they were as happy as they could be, waiting for us to come home."
[Robert Marshall, Forty Four Hours in Heaven]
