"This was posted to another list. The author is unknown, so I took the liberty of "cleaning it up" a bit and adding to the story a little, too. Apologies if this has been posted before in its original form. Also apologies if the original author should happen to see my unauthorized changes to the work." - John Barringer
HOUND HEAVEN
An old man and his dog were walking down a dirt road with fences on either side. The country they were traveling through was strange to them and a little unsettling.
On both the left and right the man saw a magnificent panorama of fields, streams, hills and valleys - just the sort of country a man and his hound can only dream of - but all along the fences on either side large "NO TRESPASSING - KEEP OUT" signs were posted every few feet, so they walked on.
Soon the two companions came to a magnificent gate chased with gold and encrusted with prescious stones. An imposing figure in a flowing robe of the purest white stood there beside it.
"Welcome to Heaven," the man in robes said.
The old man was stunned beyond words. He hadn't even realized that he was dead! At least, he thought, his hound, the closest friend he had in all the world, had made the trip with him. With a sigh and a smile, the old man started through the gate with his dog at his side, but the gatekeeper stopped him.
"Dogs aren't allowed." he said. "I'm sorry but he can't come in here with you. He'll have to stay out on the road."
"What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs?" asked the old man. "If he can't come in, then I won't either. I'll just stay out here with him. He's been my friend all his life. I can't walk away from him now."
"Suit yourself," said the robed figure, "but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his place. He'll promise you anything to get you inside, but the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road. There's no room in Heaven or in Hell for a man's dog."
So the old man and his dog went on their way.
In time, they came to a rundown fence with a gap in it - no gate, just a
