Do Dogs Go to Heaven???

Quick update on my Stage 4 Terminal Cancer: I’m still ALIVE (yay!)— my PSA is 3.4 (0-4 is normal for my age), my cancer is “presently stable”, my blood work is perfect and, despite the challenges and uncertainty of living with aggressive cancer, my life is filled with fruitful ministry and a heart overflowing with GRATITUDE and THANKFULNESS:

1. For my wife, Becky, for her loving, faithful and courageous spirit in the midst of this unexpected curve in the road! You’re my HERO, Girlfriend!

2. For the priceless gift of every moment of every day to love God, love others and advance His Kingdom! BTW, if you’re ever having a bad day, feel free to comfort yourself with this thought, “It could be worse — I could be Bob!!” (Seriously, try it right now and see if you don’t feel better!) LOL

3. For the privilege of bearing cancer in my body that others might be encouraged in their faith and that the life and message of Jesus Christ might be exalted, magnified and glorified through my response to it! 

4. For each of you for your continued prayers, love and friendship!! The strength, courage, fruitfulness and EUPHORIC JOY that God has given me is, without a doubt, made possible by your many intercessory prayers! Please keep them coming!!

Ok, back to the question: DO DOGS GO TO HEAVEN?

For those of you who know me (and even those who don’t, but have read my blogs), you know that I LOVE sharing the Good News of God’s love as often as possible! I do it because Christ and the Apostles did it (Matt 4:17)! I do it because the Bible commands it (Matt 28:19-20)! I do it because I want to be wise (Prov 11:30)! I do it because I want to be faithful and fruitful (John 15:16)! I do it out of love and concern for others (Phil 1:15)! I do it because God’s love compels me (2 Cor 5:14-15)! I do it because it brings me incredible and intense joy (Acts 13:52)! I do it because I want to hear my Master’s words, “Well done, good and faithful servant (Matt 25:23)!”

But for most of us, the hardest part of sharing the Gospel with strangers is getting the conversation started. That’s where “Kai” (my Husky/Lab/“Service Dog”) comes to the rescue! 

Here’s how it works:

1. I take Kai out for an adventure (hiking, kayaking, beaching, swimming, camping, running errands in town, etc.) at least 4-5 times a week. It’s great for my cancer, great for Kai and great for the preaching of the Gospel!

2. People (often tourists who are missing their pets) notice Kai and say things like, “What a handsome dog!” or “I love his eyes!” or “What kind of dog is he?” Before retiring I used to say, “Oh, thanks!” and move on because, as a pastor, my schedule was PACKED from morning to night with church responsibilities (LOL - the irony doesn’t escape me, either!!). But now that I’m “retired”, I stop and say, “He’s really friendly! Would you like to pet him?”

3. Invariably, they notice Kai’s “Service Dog” tag and ask if I’m training him for myself or someone else, which opens the door for me to share that I have aggressive terminal prostate cancer that has spread to my pelvis, spine, ribs, back and jaw (I go into some detail to lay the groundwork for what’s coming next)!

4. As they’re absorbing this new information and expressing their condolences, I respond by saying, “Actually, I know it may sound strange but I absolutely LOVE having cancer!” That counterintuitive statement hangs in the air as I patiently wait for the inevitable question - “What in the world is there to “LOVE” about having cancer?!?!”

5. Then it’s off to the races!!! I give them my “Top 3 Reasons I LOVE Having Cancer”, all the barriers come down and I’m able to share the life-changing message of the Gospel of Christ and how personally knowing Jesus brings a PEACE that surpasses human comprehension and an ability, by God’s grace, to JOYFULLY embrace cancer as a platform for advancing God’s Kingdom!

I have significant conversations like this frequently (sometimes 3-4 times a day) — all made possible by my partnership with a once abandoned pup found wandering the streets of Wahiawa, Oahu 7 years ago, adopted by my friends Justin and Grisel Dennis from the Humane Society, cared for by Stephanie Coleman (my patient coordinator at Pali Momi Medical Center where I had my radical prostatectomy) and gifted to our family 2 years ago by God’s extraordinary and serendipitous GRACE!  

As I wrap this up, I want to SHOUT AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS the words of King David in Psalm 34:1-3 when he was in the midst of his own “life and death” situation: “I will BLESS the Lord at all times; His PRAISE shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its BOAST in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, MAGNIFY the Lord with me, And let us EXALT His name together.” May God make your heart GLAD and enable us — no matter the circumstances — to exalt His name together!! HALLELUJAH!!!

Oh … I almost forgot to answer the question: DO DOGS GO TO HEAVEN? The following story should put this long-debated theological issue to rest once and for all:

Two dogs and a cat die and go to heaven.

They are brought before God, who interviews them to determine their fate. He asks the first dog, "What did you do when you were alive on earth?"

The first dog answers, "For 15 years I was a guide dog for a blind person. I was killed protecting them from being hit by a taxi."

"Very good," says God. "You will sit at my left side."

God turns his attention to the second dog and asks, "What did you do when you were alive on earth?"

The second dog responds, "I was a police dog for 12 years. I was shot and killed trying to subdue an armed bank robber."

God smiles and nods. "Very good. You will sit at my right side."

God now looks at the cat and begins to ask, "What did you --"

The cat interrupts, "You're in my chair."