TYKEE HILLS Eric and his dog were walking down the street. Eric was viewing the scenery, when he remembered dead. He remembered dying and that his loyal dog had been dead for years. They continued to walk; he wondered where the road was taking them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like beautiful marble. As Eric reached the wall, he saw a magnificent gate, and the street that led to the gate was made of pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk on one side. When he was close enough, he said loudly, “Excuse me where are we?” This is heaven, the man answered. Wow! He responded. Do you have some water? We have traveled far, Eric said. Of course Eric come right in, I’ll have some ice water sent to you. The man gestured and then the gate began to open. Can my dog come in too? Eric asked. I’m sorry sir but we don’t accept pets. Eric thought for a moment, remembering all the years of fun he was so loyal to him.
Then he turned away from the gates, and headed back toward the road and continued the way he had been going. After another long walk Eric came to a plain dirt road, it led through a farm gate that looked like it never was closed. There was no fence. As he reached the gate he saw a man leaning on a tree reading a book. “Excuse me!” he said loudly to the man, but do you have any water? We have traveled far. Yes, there’s a water fountain over there. The man pointed to a place that he couldn’t see from outside the gate. Come in and help yourself, the man said. Can my dog come, Eric replied. There should be a bowl by the water fountain, the dog can share. So we went through the gate, and there we saw an old water fountain with a bowl beside it. Eric filled the bowl and took a long drink, then gave some to his dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back to the man on the tree waiting for them. What is this place Eric asked? This is heaven the man replied. Well, that’s strange Eric said. The man down the road said that was heaven, too. Oh, you mean the place with the pearly gates and golden streets. Nope, that’s hell. Does it make you mad that they use your name like that? No I’m just happy that they screen out the people who’d leave their best friends behind for exchange of material things.