FIRST EVER GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG SPECIALTY IN HEAVEN
By
Barbara J. Galasso

Today the tunnel of light was opened and shone on another German Shepherd great.....Henry Dancosse.  But before he was allowed to enter this tunnel of light he was approached by Saint Francis, patron Saint of animals.  He told Henry that God saw fit to take some of earth's German Shepherd Dog people these last few months for his own purposes.  God told him that it looked like people on earth were having so much fun showing his dogs, that he decided it was time to put on the first ever National German Shepherd Dog Specialty show in Heaven because, "I'm tired of all you earthly people bickering about where to have the next National!"    He told Henry that in order for him to enter Heaven that he would have to pass a test first.    Now there were so many great dogs of the breed that had passed away over the years, and that he being a German Shepherd Dog handler, would get his choice of all the top dogs that were in Heaven.  But he told him to choose wisely, for although Ernie Loeb was there too in Heaven, this would not be his assignment this day.  No, it would be God who would be the judge of this event. 

Henry was excited.  Just think he said to himself, "I get to choose from all the greats that have passed away".  "Wow, Lance, Paladen, Rosemary, Manhattan, Hawkeye, Hammer, Andretti, Nestle's Crunch".  "Who do I choose, who do I choose"?    Just at that moment an old familar voice called out to him.  He said "Henry dar...ling, don't even think of taking Lance in."  "That's who I'll will be showing".  He may have been Jimmy's dog on earth, but up here, he belongs to me."  "Besides, everyone knows up here as they did on earth that no one knows how to stack a dog like me", LaMar said as he threw his hands up in the air. 

"Now boys, boys, stop your bickering Charlie Chester said.  "Don't pay attention to him Henry".  He and I were out partying too much last night, so he doesn't know what he's talking about.  "At this rate, if we keep this up, we might both find ourselves back in purgatory." 

Just then an announcement came over the loud speaker by another familiar voice.  "Ladies and gentlemen gather up your dogs and bring them to the rings and they better be in top "Naked Care" condition" a laughing voice said.    "Well, I'll be darned", Henry thought to himself, "Len Steen is still making announcements and still cracking the jokes."

"OK then LaMar you can take in Lance, I'll take in Manhattan".  "God should be impressed with him".  "He broke all records on earth".  As this thought lingered in his mind, he felt a tug on his pant leg and heard a small little voice whisper, "hey mister, I know you have a choice of which dog to show, but I was wondering if you would please take my little guy in".  "I know he's not much to look at with his long coat, down ears, overshot bite, and he kind of elbows coming at you, but he has a big heart and he'll really try to win for you."  Henry looked at the child and remembered what he tried to practice while on this earth.  "To thine own self be true".  He knew he always did try to help the little guy.  "Yup, I'll take your little guy in for you", he told her. 

All the greats strudded in.  Age certainly didn't change these guys.  LaMar and Lance..........what a team.  (Jimmy Moses eat your heart out).  And in walked Henry with his down eared long coated Shepherd.  God asked them to move their dogs around the ring and Henry's dog hit the end of the lead and the two of them floated around the ring like there was no one else there but them.  No double handling was needed or allowed in Heaven.  The dogs ears stood straight up, his coat smoothed out.  God pointed to Henry, and the crowd of angels and Saints roared. 

When God approached Henry to congratulate him on his win.  He said, " you did well my son."  "You passed the test".   He said "you see as you were on earth so you are here too in Heaven".  "You never let the little guy's down".  "You stood for what you believed in.....you were true to yourself."  "A gentleman there, a gentleman here".  "We don't have any trophies in heaven Henry, we just have ways of earning your "wings". 

submitted by:
Barbara J. Galasso,  2339 Mountain Road, Otisville,NY  10963  (845)-386-9317   e-mail:  uwish@hvc.rr.com