Four-Footed Angels

by J. T. Livingston

  Tyler gulped and quickly pushed off the stool that he had sat on for the past three hours. He held out his hand and almost stuttered, “Yes…yes, sir…that’s me…” He felt guilty again at the white lie he had told about his name.

  Max took Tyler’s offered hand and cradled it between his own two hands. “Very nice to meet you, young man…I am Max, the owner of this café.”

  Tyler was momentarily speechless when he saw how small his hand appeared between the black man’s grasp. He had never seen hands that huge before, and he hoped and prayed that he would never find himself on the receiving end of this man’s ire. It had, also, not escaped his attention that neither Doug, Bertie, nor Max had offered any last names; but, he certainly was not going to question them on that small fact. “Very nice to meet you, Max…yes, sir…very nice…”

  Max still held Tyler’s hand between his own and was learning much more about the young man than Tyler would have realized. He smiled again and looked over at Doug. “Why don’t you take Tyler into the back and let him see for himself how well Spartacus is doing?” He finally released Tyler’s hands.

  Tyler didn’t realized how peaceful he had felt while Max held his hand…until the large, black man released it. Tyler shook his head and tried to focus on why he was there. “Thank you, Max…I would love to see Spartacus again.”

  Spartacus was lying on his blanket and licking the last of the sausage gravy from his bowl, but he stopped suddenly when he sensed movement in the doorway. “Hey, I know you! You’re that nice man who helped me get away from my master! You were supposed to take me to the pit…yeah, we all knew about the pit…but you didn’t take me there. I sure hope you’re not here to take me back now because I really don’t want to fight any more…” He pushed himself to a standing position while the young man who had saved him made his way slowly toward him.

  “Spartacus? Hey there, fella…” Tyler spoke softly as he reached out to rub the dog behind his ears.

  “Oh, I love it when you do the ears…yep, yep, yep…a little to the left, please…” Spartacus licked the hand of the young man. “Hope you tried some of that yummy brown stuff they call gravy, cause it sure was good!” He wagged his tail and leaned in for more of the young man’s rubs and hugs. He couldn’t remember a time when he had experienced so many rubs and hugs from humans. He liked it…he liked it a lot!

  Bertie stood behind Tyler and watched how he interacted with the dog. “So…Tyler Jones, is it?”

  Tyler continued rubbing Spartacus. He couldn’t believe how quickly the dog’s wounds were healing, and he was so thankful that his prayers for the dog’s well-being had been answered. Tyler gave Spartacus a final rub behind the ears, took a deep breath, and turned around to face the no-nonsense waitress. He looked her squarely in the eye and knew that he could not lie any longer to these people, but more importantly, he knew that there was no need to lie to them. “No, ma’am…I wasn’t completely honest about that, but…there’s a reason for the lie…”

  Everyone was quiet for a moment and you could literally hear the proverbial pin drop if you listened closely enough.

  “Today would be nice!” Bertie bellowed. “You’ll find that the truth works better for you here than any lie ever would. Spit it out! We’re listening…”

  Tyler took another deep breath and faced the trio. “I work for a man who uses dogs for fighting purposes; he makes a lot of money off these dogs. Spartacus is one of his champion fighters, but he lost a major fight on Friday night, and it cost my boss a lot…and I do mean…a lot of money. It was my job to make sure Spartacus suffered before I finally killed him off…” Tyler waited for the shocked expressions that never appeared on the trio’s faces. “Well…I couldn’t do it…no, wait…I wouldn’t do it! The truth is…I am actually working, sort of undercover, at the Abbott ranch in Thomasville to help the state’s animal protection inspectors expose the owner for his role in operating a large dog-fighting ring. Tyler Jones is just a name I used to get a job at the ranch…my real name is Tyler Foster and my family owns and operates a sanctuary in Brooksville for abused bait and fighting dogs. If you decide to return Spartacus to me today, it is my intent to transport him to Foster Farm for his protection and eventual re-homing to a family who will love and appreciate him for the loyal soul that he is…” Tyler took a deep breath, unaware that he had not breathed while giving his spiel.

  Spartacus moved forward and licked Tyler’s hands. He looked up at the trio of angels who had nursed him back to miraculous health in just two days. “Hey…I trust him! No reason the three of you shouldn’t trust him, too! Besides, this Foster Farm place seems like a much better place to be than the Abbott ranch. If my vote counts, I’m with this guy!”

  Max smiled down at the dog. “Your vote definitely counts, Spartacus.” He looked at Tyler’s wrinkled brows and knew that the young man had no idea what had just transpired between the angels and the dog. “Well…it’s very nice to meet you, Tyler Foster…and, I see no reason why you shouldn’t take Spartacus with you to Foster Farm. I think he will be safer there than he would be here. You’ve been patient in waiting, but, do you think you could wait another hour before you leave?”

  Tyler looked at his watch. It was almost noon and it would take him almost two hours to meet up with his father at their designated half-way point, but that should still allow him enough time to get back to the Abbott ranch and concoct a story about Spartacus’ demise. “Sure thing, sir…no problem…I’ll just wait back at the counter…maybe have some more of that delicious coffee…call my Dad and let him know the plan.” He knelt down again and took Spartacus’ head between his palms. He kissed the top of the dog’s head and whispered, “It’s going to be okay, fella…everything is going to be okay…”

  The angels watched as Tyler returned to the dining area. Doug knew better than to question Max as to why he wanted Tyler to wait another hour before leaving; he knew that Max always had a reason behind his requests.

  Bertie, on the other hand, needed an explanation. “Why the hell are you making that young man wait another hour, Maximus? He’s got a long ride ahead of him. He needs to get going.”

  Max shook his head and said, “He only has to drive half way to Brooksville, Bertie; someone will meet him at the half-way mark and take Spartacus the rest of the way. He has plenty of time.”

  “Still…” Bertie commanded, “Why the delay?”

  Max stood silent for a moment and Doug turned to leave the kitchen. The café phone rang just as Doug reached the doorway. He looked back at Max who nodded at him. Doug picked up the phone. “Heavenly Grille Café…Doug speaking…” A smile spread across his chiseled, handsome face and he looked back at Max, who was grinning at him. “Well, it’s good to hear your voice, too! What? Really? Hey, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Okay…okay…I’ll tell them…good-bye.”

  Doug hung up the phone and rubbed the back of his neck. He was still smiling when he turned back to face Bertie and Max. He shook his head and stared at Max. “That was Amanda…she’s on her way to spend her two-week vacation with us. She’ll be here…within the hour…”

  “Well, hot damn and hallelujah!” Bertie bellowed. She punched Max on the shoulder and looked at him sternly. “But you knew this all along, didn’t you, big fella?”

  A scratch at the back door stopped them all in their tracks. Spartacus’ ears perked up and he barked softly. It was not a threatening bark, rather, more of a welcoming one.

  “Ah…” Max whispered while he moved to open the back door. “There is one other surprise I haven’t mentioned.

  Bertie gasped when she saw the huge black dog standing outside the screen door. Her hands flew into the air and she laughed out loud. “Sam! Well, I’ll be damned again…what a sight for sore eyes you are…and won’t our Amanda be surprised to see you!”

  Spartacus moved closer to where Sam, Amanda’s first dog, stood guard in the doorway. “Wow…if I’m going to look anything like you when I get to Heaven, may
be I should’ve died in those woods a couple of nights ago! Nice to meet you, Sam!”

  Sam walked slowly into the kitchen and rubbed heads with Spartacus. This was his first assignment as an angel dog and he couldn’t wait to see his sweet Amanda again!

  8. Heaven - Andrew Brown Moves On

  Martin was watching his huge monitor as the scene unfolded in the kitchen of the Heavenly Grille Café. He clapped his hands and then folded them in prayer when Sam and Spartacus rubbed their heads together. Dogs and cats were often sent back to earth to complete various assignments, but he was especially looking forward to Amanda’s reaction to seeing her long-lost pet again. He almost wished he could be there with them for the reunion, but he knew that he could better serve his God doing what he loved to do…overseeing the transition of the newly departed.

  Even though time was not of the essence in Heaven, it was Martin’s primary job to ensure that the newly departed advanced, in a timely manner, to phase three of their heavenly transition process. Phase one occurred immediately upon the last breath of the deceased; if they were a believer in Christ, then their souls went immediately to Heaven’s Waiting Room. It did not matter what condition their earthly bodies were in when they took their final breath, or what age they were when they died…once they entered the Waiting Room, their bodies were whole and healthy and at the age in which they would have been at their best on earth. An infant who died prematurely might be a 12-, 22-, or even 32-year old in Heaven, while a 90-year old who had been crippled and deformed with arthritis on earth, would be a vibrant and energetic 25-, 35-, or 45-year old in Heaven. There was no rhyme or reason involved; it was all in God’s hands; He, and He alone, made that determination for each and every soul who entered His Home.

  The majority of phase one participants quickly and eagerly accepted their new transition; they more than welcomed their good fortune in being able to spend eternity with their Lord and Savior. However, every once in a while, Martin came across a stubborn participant, who was not ready to accept the fact that their earthly body was gone and that they were, indeed, DEAD. Bertie had certainly been one of his more frustrating cases; it had taken years for her to move on to phase two.

  Souls who advanced to phase two replaced their simple white robes and white sashes with a more elaborate white robe…accented with a beautiful, colored sash. They left the peaceful, white serenity of phase one and found themselves engulfed in the brilliant gold that surrounded the holding area of phase two. Phase two allowed them the time they needed to learn the basics of Heaven. They learned about the different colored sashes and how they depicted a soul’s educational advancement in Heaven; only one person was allowed to wear a gold sash and that was God Himself. They learned that any food, except meat, was available for their enjoyment – even though their new, heavenly bodies did not require food or water. The hardest thing they learned was that the factor of time was very different in Heaven than it had been when they lived on earth. One hour in Heaven might be the equivalent of one week, one month, or even one year on earth. It usually did not take them long to realize that it was not worth the effort to try to correlate the time in the two locations. Although it surprised many souls that they could not immediately reunite with their loved ones until much later in the transition process, they did not question that fact. It might be fifty minutes or fifty earth years before they were reunited, but it did not matter to them. They knew that they would eventually be able to hold their loved ones in their arms once again; but, they also knew that their time would be blissfully filled and occupied until that moment arrived.

  Phase three was the final phase in the overall transition process. This was the phase in which each soul was provided their own mansion in which to live, began their daily conversations with their Lord, were assigned their “job” in Heaven, learned about the hierarchy of angels, and countless other things which only served to enlighten them and bring them an extraordinary feeling of love and joy.

  Martin sensed the footsteps and waved his hand across the huge screen. The images of the angels and the dogs quickly faded away as Andrew Brown approached his mentor. Martin turned and held out his arms in welcome. “Andrew! Just look at you…I see you have already earned a green sash. I am very impressed…very impressed…but, then, I knew it wouldn’t take you long.”

  Andrew grinned, flashing his full set of pearly whites – he was still trying to get used to seeing them in his reflection when he looked into the clear ponds. He looked down at his green sash and nodded. “Yes, sir…I just got it a little bit ago. Red, blue, green…only one more to go until I learn all the basics…purple…they say that could take a long, long time.”

  “There is a lot to learn, Andrew. You will have daily studies with your peers and your mentors. It’s all part of the process so that those of us who are already here can be ready to assist the millions that will arrive in a short span of time when the Rapture occurs. There will be no need for the three phases of transition at that point, but we will need everyone here to be ready to help out when that time arrives.”

  “I sure wish I knew when that might be, Mr. Martin, sir…” Andrew sighed wistfully. “I just wish that everyone was here with us now, because…well…I just can’t imagine being anywhere else, to tell you the truth...”

  “Aww, my boy, but you certainly know that no one knows the exact day or time that will occur. All we can do is to continue to pray for those who are not ready when the time comes…pray that they will be ready when that final trumpet blows. My heart bleeds for what those left behind will have to endure during the Tribulation…it will not be a pleasant existence for any of them…”

  “Yes, sir…I know that…I just wish there was a way to convince folks down there now to accept Jesus before the Rapture takes place. I’m truly glad that what’s left of my family will not be left behind…I wish there was some way to warn all them others…”

  Martin sighed. “But there is a way, Andrew…all they have to do is to have faith and to believe. It truly is as simple as that. If they read their Bibles, especially the book of Revelation, then they would know what awaits the non-believers. They all have free will, and have total control over whether or not they choose to believe.”

  The two men held hands for a moment longer and prayed silently together. They prayed for the millions of souls who would find out, too late, what fate had in store for them if they chose not to believe the written word of God.

  Martin opened his eyes and smiled at the strong, 35-year old man standing before him. “So, Andrew…tell me…what do you think of your new living quarters?” In the blink of an eye, they had both transported from Martin’s work area to the front porch of Andrew’s own mansion.

  Andrew shook his head and his grin spread from ear to ear. “Mr. Martin…never…never did I ever expect to live in a place like this. It’s so big and spacious, but what I’m still trying to believe is the outside…the grounds are…well…I can’t even find the words to describe it.”

  “Well,” Martin smiled back. “There’s a reason your grounds are even more spacious than your mansion, Andrew.”

  Andrew blinked. “Why might that be, Mr. Martin?”

  “Well, we all know about your love for animals, Andrew, and…you have been chosen to be one of the many caretakers of the animals.”

  Andrew looked confused. “But I haven’t seen any animals since I got here…I was thinking that it must be true what folks use to say…that animals don’t go to Heaven…”

  Martin made a shushing sound and waved his hands in protest. “I never understood why people would believe that humans would be the only recipients of Heaven’s welcome. What? Do they put themselves above other living creatures? God created ALL living life, so it is only natural that ALL living life be given the opportunity to share eternity with their Creator. Yes, Andrew, there are animals in Heaven…many, many different kinds of animals, and you will see them all, but in your case…well, you will be in charge of a very select group of cats
and dogs.”

  Andrew threw his folded fist into the air in glee. “YES! You’re right, Mr. Martin…I do love the animals, especially the dogs, but…what do you mean by a SELECT group?”

  Martin put an arm around Andrew’s shoulder. “Close your eyes, Andrew.”

  Andrew did not question why. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, he and Martin were standing in the middle of the back yard. The yard was no longer empty; instead, hundreds of formerly abused animals were lounging in Heaven’s glow, rolling on the soft grass, playing with the fluttering butterflies, and chasing their tails. They were all healthy and happy…they were finally at peace in their final, fur-ever Home.

  Andrew pumped another victory fist into the open air. “Lawdy, lawdy, will you just look at all of them!” He ran forward to join the playful dogs that gathered around him and welcomed his loving strokes and hugs. He looked back at Martin and asked, “But what exactly do I need to do? What is my job? They don’t have to be fed and watered, they don’t have to be exercised, and they don’t even have to sleep if they don’t want to. What exactly is my responsibility to them, Mr. Martin?”

  Martin sighed again as he approached the group of animals that surrounded Andrew. He petted their heads as he made his way to the center of the group. “You’re right, Andrew…they don’t have to do any of those things if they don’t want to, but…these particular dogs are the ones who never experienced a loving touch during their lives on earth. They were born into neglectful and abusing situations. Most of them were starved and beaten all their lives, and their deaths were not easy ones. There was no one to meet them when they crossed over what humans refer to as the Rainbow Bridge. Your job, Andrew…is to simply…love them. Show them what they missed on earth and assure them every day that they will never again experience a harsh word or a painful blow. You see, this select group of dogs never belonged to a family on earth, so they have no one in Heaven to be reunited with…that’s where you come in…you are now their family…at least until they find another family here that they choose to live with...”