Last night I visited heaven

"Surely it is not wrong for us to think and talk about Heaven. I like to find out all I can about it. I expect to live there through all eternity. If I were going to dwell in any place in this country, if I were going to make it my home, I would inquire about its climate, about the neighbours I would have - about everything, in fact, that I could learn concerning it. If soon you were going to emigrate, that is the way you would feel. Well, we are all going to emigrate in a very little while. We are going to spend eternity in another world. Is it not natural that we should look and listen and try to find out who is already there and what is the route to take? - Dwight L. Moody

The title might set my readers thinking that after two weeks of being on the subject of women; which, depending upon individual taste and inclination, may be considered as boring or otherwise; I must have been impelled into visiting Heaven in search of the women of angelic qualities. The truth is: I only write about women and do not pursue them. I allow them to hunt me down. Be that as it may, whether the women hound us down or we ferret them out; it is a known fact that in the final analysis, all the excitement about women is in the chase for them and not the aftermath.

Let us leave women aside for the time being and revert to the subject of Heaven. Heaven is basically a religious concept. We believe or are told to believe that,Heaven is a realm, either physical or transcendental in which people who have died continue to exist in an afterlife. Heaven is often described as the holiest place, accessible by people according to various standards of divinity, goodness, piety, faith or other virtues. Some also accept that Heaven is a place where God dwells. Religions that speak about heaven differ on how one gets into it, typically in the afterlife. However, in many religions, entrance to Heaven is conditional on having lived a "good life" within the terms of the spiritual system of that particular religion or accepting God into your heart.

Many people who come close to death and have near death experiences report meeting relatives or entering "the Light" in an otherworldly dimension, which share similarities with the religious concept of Heaven. Even though there are also reports of distressing experiences and negative life-reviews, the positive experiences of meeting or entering 'the Light' is reported as an immensely intense feeling: a state of love, peace and joy beyond human comprehension. Together with this intensely positive feeling state, people who have near death experiences also report that consciousness or a heightened state of awareness seems as if it is at the heart of experiencing a taste of Heaven.

Colourful

Thus, Heaven being such a varied and colourful place and having as many interpretations as there are religions and cultures; the reader must be wondering as to how I managed to visit it and return when, for all intent and purpose, I am neither dead nor have had a near death experience.

Well, the Heaven I am talking about is where a dog called Heaven lives. Appropriate to the assorted and profuse nature of heaven, this dog happens to be a female species of the local breed.

Dogs were domesticated from grey wolves about 15,000 years ago. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated by human beings. They must have been very valuable to early human settlements, for they quickly became ubiquitous across world cultures. Dogs perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship, and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals. This impact on human society has given them the nickname "Man's best friend". In 2001, there were estimated to be 400 million dogs in the world.

The most widespread form of inter-species bonding occurs between humans and dogs. People and dogs have become increasingly integrated and implicated in each other's lives, to the point where pet dogs actively shape the way a family and home are experienced. In fact, the majority of contemporary dog owners describe their dog as part of the family; and increasingly, human family members are engaging in activities centred on the perceived needs and interests of the dog, or in which the dog is an integral partner.

A growing body of research indicates the companionship of a dog can enhance human physical health and psychological well-being. The domestic dog has a predisposition to exhibit a social intelligence that is uncommon in the animal world.

Dogs are capable of learning by observation. A domestic dog is happiest and functions best with human companionship. Humans can learn a lot from dogs. They can teach you how to live with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. They will teach you to appreciate the simple things in life: a walk in the woods, a soak in the rain, a laze in a shaft of the rising sun. Even while growing old and achy, they will teach you optimism in the face of adversity. Most importantly, they will teach you about friendship and selflessness; and above all else, about unwavering loyalty. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. Unlike humans, a dog owns nothing, yet is seldom dissatisfied. If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you.

Difference

This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Yet, foolish men, when they wish to chide someone, calls him a dog! Hence, I often wondered as to whether he is admonishing or paying a compliment? We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet: and, amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us.

This, in spite of the inferior qualities most of us possess when compared to dogs.

I often wondered why dogs did not make an alliance with gods. Afterall, is not a dog a god in reverse form? The only plausible answer I could think of is that perhaps gods possess not, even the qualities of us humans.

The truth is: it is only mortal man who can aspire to the throne of god through his deeds, his selflessness and service to fellow human beings. Learn from the dog and aspire to be a god. After all what I have said above, is it a wonder that I visit Heaven often? Well readers, see you this day next week. Until then, keep thinking, keep laughing. Life is mostly about these two activities.

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