Alex’s dog knew all his secrets,

and never told them to anyone.

but when he died, he discovered that St. Peter knew them too.

so he went to St. Francis, who smiled with a nod –

and said

nothing is secret from God.

So Alex, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in search of his friend,

not certain if he was allowed –

but the gates were thrown open, and he was let in

to no surprise to his dog.

Today,

as they looked down from heaven –

they danced.

and a little girl wept with joy,

and remembered a poem she had wrote as a child,

about a good man and his dog.