God Gets a Dog
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The story I'm about to tell is the biggest change in Heaven since the addition of the Pearly Gates almost two thousand years ago. I was watching the gates on a slow day, when God came by.
"You're in a good mood, Peter. I haven't heard you whistling in a while," said God.
"I was talking to Mother Teresa a few minutes ago. She always puts me in a good mood. From the smile on your face, you didn't come to talk about Mother Teresa, did you?" I asked.
"No, I didn't," said God.
"Well, what's going on?" I asked.
And God said, "I'm thinking of getting a dog."
The next time God came by the gates, He said, "Well, Peter, have you given any thought to my idea of getting a dog? Do you think I should create the perfect dog from scratch or go over to Doggy Heaven and find one?"
"If I may suggest," I said, "Why not consider Mozart?"
"Mozart, the dachshund?" God laughed out loud. "Are you kidding?"
"I'm not saying he's perfect," I said. "After all, he's a real dog. But he's got a big heart and he is funny. I think you'll love him. Pat and Diane say Mozart was one of your greatest creations."
"They also say the only command he ever learned to obey was don't come."
Mozart was sitting on God's lap. "May I ask one last question before I go?" he asked.
"Fire away, Mozart," said God.
"The other day, Saint Peter said that all dogs go to Doggy Heaven and there are no dogs in hell. Why is that?"
"It's very simple, Mozart," said God, caressing Mozart's neck. "No one in hell deserves a dog."
Mozart sat perfectly quiet for a moment, looking at God. Then he got all choked up and said, "I'm all verklempt."
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About the Book
Saint Peter narrates a story that begins when God stops by the Pearly Gates and says, "I'm thinking of getting a dog." He asks Saint Peter for his opinion as to whether He should create the perfect dog from scratch or go over to Doggy Heaven to select one. Saint Peter suggests that God consider Mozart, a dachshund that Saint Peter has been watching and considers to be the funniest dog he has ever seen on earth.
Mozart arrives in Heaven within the month and interviews with God to become His dog. Mozart's humor and total candor win God over and God asks Mozart if he would like to be His dog. Mozart asks that it be a package deal and that his younger brother, Elvis, who had died suddenly only a few days before Mozart, be allowed to stay as well. God says that Elvis can be Saint Peter's dog and help guard the Pearly Gates.
Mozart and Elvis spend their time exploring Heaven, talking with saints, visiting God's Comedy Club, and searching for their roots and heroes. The best conversations are betwen God and Mozart, in which Mozart never runs out of questions and topics to discuss with God.
Mozart and Elvis decide Heaven is really a wonderful place, but could be a little more dachshund friendly. Together they come up with the first suggestion list that God has ever received. These and other suggestions lead to what Saint Peter describes as the biggest change in Heaven since the addition of the Pearly gates. The ending is one that the reader will never forget.
Filled with humor and poignant moments, GOD GETS A DOG will be enjoyed by everyone who loves God, likes dogs, and enjoys one of God's greatest gifts to humanity, our sense of humor.
About the Author
Since retiring as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 company, Pat Sheridan has written three books prior to GOD GETS A DOG: BOTTLE-CAP SUNDAES, a humorous memoir of his three favorite dachshunds, BENEATH THE RADAR, an international terrorist thriller, and THE DOER, an international political thriller.
A graduate of The University of Notre Dame, he served as a captain in The United States Army. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe with his family while researching his novels. Pat and his wife, Diane, the former spelling bee champ, live in Maryland with their three dachshunds.