It's recently been revealed to me that I can relax, I'm in, I've made the team.  I saw a documentary film that says All Dogs Go To Heaven.  You don't know what a relief it is to have this edict encoded on DVD, which makes it about as official as one can get these days.  I've been wondering how this new revelation will affect my future behavior.  Will I become a hedonist, knowing that whatever I do in the here and now won't affect my eternal happiness and bliss.  Should I start chewing on the furniture, raiding the refrigerator, and running away when my master calls?  That kind of behavior might get me to heaven even faster.  Like I said, I'm only entertaining these options while I get used to the good news.  It's like I won the lottery, but I haven't gotten paid yet.  Best to lie low for awhile?

Heaven, I've heard, is a place of repose, bliss, supreme happiness, material comfort , union with one's God or gods, love, angels, great climate, green pastures and the absence of suffering.  And great food, don't forget the food.
Some say that heaven is a real place, others say that it's a plane of existence, spiritual.  There are a number of different levels and rooms in heaven to visit, once you get through heaven's gate.  Seventh Heaven sounds like it will be my favorite; therein lies the Throne of Glory, and reside the Seraphim and Cherubim.  The music is heavenly there, I've heard.  I wonder if you can choose your version of heaven when you reach the pearly gates?  Some religions believe the after life will allow the fulfillment of earthly desires without any of the negative effects. Others predict that the entrant will be united with the Supreme Being who created all things, and will merge with her Love which "moves the sun and the other stars"  I wonder if you can visit each of these paradises and sample them, before you make a final decision?

Heaven knows what heaven is really like.  Some humans claim to have visited a place of peace and light during near death experiences.  This might be a vision of heaven, but then again, the brain can create its own reality when deprived of oxygen.  How much should I worry about heaven and the afterlife, given the fact that I'm currently employed on this earthly plane?  Humans talk about the wonders of heaven, but no one seems to be in a hurry to go there.  The sublime qualities attributed to heaven; green pastures, repose, love, communion, material comforts, and light are all available here on earth.  There's suffering and darkness here too, I know.  I guess if I was born in heaven, and never experienced earth, I wouldn't know that heaven is as heavenly as it is.  For now, I'm going to put that All Dogs Go To Heaven idea in my back pocket (so to speak) and try to find as much heaven as I can right here in this world. A good lunch will go a long way towards accomplishing this goal. I'll continue trying to be a good dog, and try to create the conditions so that other dogs and humans can experience a glimpse of heaven in the here and now.  We dogs are here to help our humans find love and communion, and to avoid and abate suffering.  We'll be your guide dogs on the Stairway to Heaven. Bring along a few biscuits, we're hoping it will be a long journey.

Buffy
Seeking Seventh Heaven