As I played with my dogs outside today, I couldn’t help but think about my old girl Pearl that passed away a year ago and my cousin’s old boy Ivan (appropriate name for a Siberian Husky don’t you think).

They had both lived a good long age. My cousin would say of them “They won the game”.

In thinking of them I could not help but think again about if there is a heaven for pets. I’m not known for being a religious person but I do believe they must be somewhere kicking it up and living the high life.

As pet enthusiasts that is what we all want to believe right? When a person dies, most people say something like “They are in a better place”, usually meaning heaven.

Some people may not believe in a heaven so to speak but do believe in that “better place”. No matter your religious preference, heaven seems a nice enough word for me to call it. It sounds peaceful and serene.

If people get a heaven then pets probably do too. I’m sure cats are there too; along with anything you may have called a pet. Yes, even iguanas are probably there.

I am lucky enough to have 18 acres for my dogs to roam around and spend their days chasing rabbits, digging up moles, and of course sleeping.

When Pearl died I still had the companionship of my other dog and continued the routine.

For my cousin, Ivan was his only dog. When Ivan passed, my cousin’s 14-year daily routine of going out to feed Ivan, take him for walks, and checking up on him suddenly came to a halt.

He said there was a definite void in his life from that daily routine that was no longer there.

My cousin will get another dog soon I know. He loves them too much to not have one in his life.

Some people cannot handle the grief of losing a pet. Like losing a member of the family, the pain is too great so they never get another pet. Never exposing them again to that pain.

I look at it a different way. There were just too many good times with Pearl to never want to start over again. All of the memories that you have with your pets stay with you forever, long after they are gone.

Shortly after Pearl left me I got another puppy. Partly to keep my other dog company and partly because I didn’t want to be done having dogs around if the other also passed.

It is my own continuous cycle of life with dogs around me. I also think Pearl would have wanted it that way.

Heaven is what each of us thinks it is. If you love pets, then they belong there too and are there waiting for you.

“They won the game”. With the love and time that we spend with our pets, they will always win the game.

I don’t wish for Pearl and Ivan to Rest in Peace because they are in dog heaven; spry as pups, chasing rabbits and digging up moles.

Your dog loves to hang around with you and especially loves to go out with you. A pet bike basket for dogs is perfect for taking your dog with you. A dog basket for bikes is a comfortable place for your dog to ride with you.

Below is a nice assortment of bicycle baskets for dogs available from Amazon. These bicycle dog baskets have been selected because of their good reviews by other pet lovers. Many now come with free shipping. These dog carriers for bikes come in many types and colors to fit you and your dog.

Browse below to find the perfect bike dog carrier that will provide years of comfort and fun for your dog and you while on the go. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Dog Kennels, Travel Dog Kennels, Dog Strollers, Small Dog Carriers, Med and Lg Dog Carriers, Bike Trailers, and Dog Crates.

If you have your dog tied up outside or have a line for them to go out for awhile, you know that it is important to have good equipment, especially for larger dogs.

Below is a nice assortment of dog line supplies available from Amazon. Nice coated cable dog lines and dog line stakes. They have been selected because of their good reviews by other pet lovers. Many now come with free shipping.

Browse below to find the perfect dog line supplies. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Dog Collars, Dog Harnesses, Dog Leashes, and Dog ID Tags.

For their own protection and sometimes the protection of others, it is always a good idea to have a good harness for dogs. Most are designed to be a no pull dog harness. You can find a basic nylon dog harness or a soft padded dog harness.

You can find dog harnesses for small dogs, dog harnesses for large dogs, and even a good puppy harness. Some are a mesh dog harness to breath better and some are a dog harness for cars. You can even find a service dog harness.

Below is a nice assortment of dog harnesses available from Amazon. They have been selected because of their good reviews by other pet lovers. Many now come with free shipping.

Browse below to find the perfect dog harness. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Dog Collars, Dog Leashes, and Dog ID Tags.

If you would like to share your pet story on this site, e-mail the story to me at brodtbiz(@symbol)gmail.com.

You can send me a funny story about your pet or just a story of who they are and what they mean to you.

I have a place for pet memorials if you would like to send a short story about a pet who has passed on.

If you want to send me a picture, I will place it in the story. Please resize it to 250×250 pixels if you can. If you don’t know how to do this, that is ok, just send it as is.

Please keep the story to no longer than a page.

I have included a pet memorial story about my dog Pearl on the dog memorial page. You can use this as a guide for your own story.

Pearl was an unbelievably loyal friend who shared many miles and experiences with me and my family.

We got Pearl when she was six weeks old while we lived in Palmer, Alaska. Her mother was a member of a sled dog team and her father a Labrador Retriever. She was half Alaskan Husky and half Lab.

Needless to say, she had abundant energy. My son would tire of throwing her a ball before she ever tired of retrieving it.

In 2000, we got her a friend for life named Piper. Piper is the big black dog of the two dogs pictured at the top of the page. Pearl mothered Piper and looked out for her until the day she died.

Shortly after I retired from the Air Force in 2001, we moved around quite a bit. Pearl and Piper traveled with us as we moved and traveled from Alaska to Oregon, then to Illinois, back to Alaska, then to Washington State, and then to her final place on my 18 acres in Nebraska.

Throughout her lifetime, Pearl always rolled with the flow and was happy as long as she was with us.

It was especially nice to have them in the country where they ran free to explore.

She was the best dog I could have ever hoped for and is missed very much.

It is always a good idea to have a good dog collar. With that, well made engraved pet tags are a must. My old friend got out and lost during a snowstorm once and ended up a mile away. Without the dog identification tag, I may not have gotten her back.

You can find some nice custom dog tags, designer dog tags, engraved dog tags for dogs, and personalized pet tags. Personalized dog tags for dogs are a great way to make your dog stand out while having tags for dogs. Custom dog ID tags come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. You can even go with simple gold dog tags and silver dog tags.

Below is a nice assortment of ID tags for dogs and charms available from Amazon. These personalized dog tags have been selected because of their good reviews by other pet lovers. There are many pet ID tags with free shipping.

Browse below to find the perfect pet tags for dogs or charms. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Dog Collars, Dog Harnesses, and Dog Leashes.

Your dog loves to go out for a good walk with you. A leash is a necessity. A good dog leash is sometimes hard to find. Not anymore.

Below is a nice assortment of dog leashes and leads available from Amazon. You can find retractable dog leashes and leads, hands free dog leashes, nylon dog leashes, dual dog leashes for multiple dogs, a chain dog leash, bungee dog leashes, dog leashes for running, slip leads for dogs, and leather dog leashes. Even dog training leads and dog slip leads.

There are varying lengths from short tight leads for training to long dog leashes to let them go a bit.

They have been selected because of their good reviews by other pet lovers. Many now come with free shipping.

Browse below to find the perfect dog leash or lead. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Dog Tie Out Supplies, ID Tags, Dog Collars, and Dog Harnesses.

For their own protection and sometimes the protection of others, it is always a good idea to have a good dog collar.

Below is a nice assortment of dog collars available from Amazon. You can find designer dog collars, personalized dog collars, puppy collars, nylon dog collars, and leather dog collars. You can even find embroidered dog collars and studded dog collars. They have been selected because of their good reviews by other pet lovers. Many now come with free shipping.

Browse below to find perfect collars for dogs. There are dog collars for small dogs up to dog collars for big dogs. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Dog Harnesses, Dog ID Tags and Charms, and Dog Leashes.

It is a sad time when our pets leave us but there are ways to remember them. A nice pet urn is a good way of keeping them and their memory near you.

Below is a nice assortment of pet urns and memorials available from Amazon. Some pet cremation urns are quite fancy and other cremation urns for pets are very basic.

Browse below to find the perfect pet memorial urns to remember your beloved pet. Click on any item to view a description and see the reviews.

Also see Cat Memorial Stones and Markers.