Many children experience grief for the first time when they lose a family pet.
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For Meredith Scrivener (not pictured) of San Antonio, Texas, this happened in 2006 when she was just 4 years old. Her beloved dog Abbey passed away at 14, and Meredith was inconsolable.
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For the first time in her life, she didn’t have her best friend by her side, and she couldn’t stop worrying about who would care for Abbey in the afterlife. So Meredith took her concerns to her mom Joy, who helped her write a letter to God.
The little girl dictated as Joy carefully wrote every precious word:
Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. Love, Meredith
They sealed the letter and a photo of Abbey and Meredith in an envelope addressed to “God/Heaven.” Meredith made sure to cover the important parcel with stamps so it would make it all the way to God, while Joy added their return address. Then they dropped it off at their local post office.
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About two weeks later, the family came home to find a package on their front porch. It was wrapped in gold paper and said “To Meredith.” Inside, they discovered a copy of “When a Pet Dies” by Fred Rogers.
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Meredith’s original letter was taped to one side of the book’s inside front cover, while the photo of her with her best friend was posted on the other. Someone, presumably an unnamed postal worker, had also written her the sweetest of responses:
Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help, and I recognized her right away. Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me, just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day, and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I’m easy to find. I am wherever there is love. Love, God
Whoever wrote the note didn’t just comfort Meredith and her family. More than a decade later, the touching message is still moving people across the world!
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It’s so comforting to know there are individuals around us who will show love and kindness to complete strangers. We’re so grateful for this wonderful act of kindness that meant the world to a little girl having a hard time.
Share this story with anyone who has lost a pet.
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