It may be hard for some to imagine how a 14 inch long by 10 inch tall dog could teach me so much about life– but Frankie taught me tons.

The evening of Frankie’s passing I was sitting at my kitchen table having a glass of wine.  John was gone to an event that he didn’t really want to go to, but had guests attending. I was feeling a bit lost and just trying to move through the rest of the day after having said goodbye to Frankie that morning.

I had the front door open and Kylie was gazing outside. She then began barking which meant either someone was walking by or coming to the door.  As I looked out, I saw two elderly men shuffling up the sidewalk, literature in hand. Oh no, I thought. I knew they saw me so I couldn’t pretend like I was not home.

I cracked the door open and Kylie pushed it the rest of the way open bounding outside barking. The two men were dressed in plaid shirts, suspenders, and long trousers and they seemed a bit startled at Kylie’s ferocious bark.  I said, “Don’t worry, her bark is worse than her bite.”  They smiled meekly as if they were not sure whether to believe me or not.

The taller man now standing on the front stoop said, “Do you believe in heaven?”

I said, “Yes.  In fact my little dog just went to heaven this morning.”

His eyebrows raised and he seemed at a loss for words. The shorter man  then stepped up on the stoop and said, “Did you just say your dog went to heaven today?”

“Yes. My little dog went to heaven today.”

He said, “Well, do you know that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ?”

“Yes, I believe that.”

“Do you go to church?”

“No, I don’t believe you have to go to church to believe in God.”

Somewhat surprised he said, “Yes…. yes, I suppose you are right.”

I said, “I have my own time with God everyday.”

“So then you read the Bible?”

“No, I read a little booklet called, Daily Word.”

“Well okay. If you want to ever come visit our church here is some information.”

I took the literature and said, “Thank you.”

They then shuffled their way back down the sidewalk.

I sat back down at the kitchen table and started to chuckle.  It is not often that we have people show up in our neighborhood such as these two fellows talking about God.  Because I am open to receiving signs that Frankie is still with me, I couldn’t help but think she had sent those two men to my front door.  You see, because of Frankie I became braver in being who I am and saying what I believe in. I used to be afraid I’d be judged if I told others I didn’t believe in going to church. I couldn’t help but think it was her testing me, now that she was physically gone, and reminding me, that it is perfectly okay to speak my truth.

I also can’t help but wonder what those little two old men thought of a red-eyed, wine drinking woman saying her little dog went to heaven today.  I’m sure they never expected that– but oh, did it make me smile.