Hide*seek: Kathy's Coin Too - Heaven's The Place Geocoin

In loving memory of Balou

10.07.1997 - 15.09.2008

"Heaven's the place where all the dogs you've ever loved come to greet you."
-unknown-

drneal wrote about this coin:

The geocoin name...

Kathy once told her parents one of the reasons she married me was because i made her laugh! i'd like to believe the "Kathy's Coin Too" did just that, once more.
In my first post i promised a very personal geocoin...we all have our own visions of what heaven must be like...what makes it heaven...here's mine:
I'd like to start with the front of the coin.
Upon first seeing the original artwork i had no doubt that the woman pictured beside me is an outline of Kathy, walking with me hand in hand. greeting us are all of our dogs;

Logan jumping up on my leg,

Heineken waiting to play,

Maxx, tail wagging (of course,)

and running to greet us, our very first dog, Brandy

(yes, i consider Heineken and Maxx to be Kathy's dogs too.) if you look carefully to the right of the coin, you'll see a rainbow.....the rainbow bridge.

"Just this side of heaven is a place called rainbow bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the rainbow bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All of the animals that are ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. the animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent, his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the rainbow bridge together."
-William N.Britton

On the back of the coin, the quote i based this coin upon, and a quiet sunset. I took the actual photograph standing beside Kathy's resting place.....perhaps just a little bit of her input into the coin.

I'd like to dedicate the geocoin to Kathy, Brandy, Logan. Heineken, and Maxx, and to all members of the geocoin forum waiting to be reunited with their family and pets.

A final note to Kathy, eight years is much too long.

An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides, they came to a gait in the fence and looked in, it was nice - grassy, woody areas, just what a huntin' dog and man would like, but it had a sign saying "no trespassing" so they walked on.

They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. "Welcome to Heaven" he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him.

The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed, i'm sorry but he can't come with you." "What kind of heaven won't allow dogs? If he can't come in, then i will stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life, i can't desert him now."

"Suit yourself, but i have to warn you, the devil's on this road, and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area, he'll promise you anything, but the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend eternity on this road" So the old man and dog went on.

They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. "Scuse me sir, my dog and i are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?" "Of course, there's some cold water under that tree over there. make yourselves comfortorable." "You're sure my dog can come in?" "Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?" "No sir, that's why i didn't go to heaven, he said the dog couldn't come in. We'll be spending eternity here on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be might fine right about now, but i won't come in if my buddy here can't come in too, and that's final."

The man smiled a big smile and said "welcome to heaven."

"You mean this is heaven? dogs are allowed? How come that fellow down the road said they weren't?" "That was the devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life long companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but, then it's too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there.

God wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from heaven. After all, he created them to be man's companion in life, why would he separate them in death?"

Author - Earl Hamner
The Twilight Zone