“Homeless and hungry.” That’s what I read on a cardboard sign being held by a person on the side of the road not far from my beloved dog park the other day. As we drove by, I was instantly overcome with empathy for the man.
He looked not that unlike myself when I was in his paws. He was scraggly. Dirty. Generally unkempt. And skinny. Goodness gracious, was he skinny. During my time on the streets, all of these things could have been said of me too. I’m not proud of it. It’s nothing I prefer to broadcast. But I was kind of a mess. 
I’ve said before that home is where the heart is. Well, when you don’t have a home neither does your heart. It’s an awful place to be. I’m not going to lie – it was pretty easy to push it out of my mind as I explored my beloved park. It’s one of my happy places, after all.
But when I got home I was reminded. Not just because I was home and warm and enjoying a feast of delicious doggie kibble. It’s because of what happened next. I was enjoying some beautiful rays of sunshine and warmth in my backyard paradise on one of the first warmer days of the year when it happened.
My cat friend Penny came over. She had news. And it wasn’t good. Her person, the person that is home to her, is gone. Dear Rose took a turn for the worse that day and went to heaven, she told me. It’s not my first time hearing about this place called heaven that I frequently dream about. It’s my opinion (mostly because it’s mom’s opinion) that if it’s called heaven it is heaven to whoever goes there. Meaning there is most definitely a place for pets in this place, since I know I would be in mom’s version of heaven.
That’s when I realized dear Penny didn’t seem nearly as lost as I thought she would at the reality of her news. Because that’s when she said something truly profound.
Life is like an airport terminal on our way back home to heaven, she said. Now I’ve never been to an airport terminal, but it is certainly a concept I can wrap my little doggie mind (and heart) around. In that moment, I was overcome with empathy for Penny and her loss, but also for the homeless man.
It might be hard to remember sometimes. Especially when things get rough. But in those moments it is most important that we remember something I was reminded of by Penny today. We may go through bouts where we are hungry, but we are never truly homeless. We all do have a home to return to someday.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Poor penny, poor man and poor you. I do like penny’s thought that life is an airport terminal.
Thank you friend. Lots of love to you,
Wiles
I am sorry to hear Rose is gone and hope she will have a home to go to. Penny will miss her loads I am sure. Nice she has you around. Our heaven is a good place to go and I believe one I will go there I will see all my loved ones again. But most important it is a place wiht no pain and suffering, a good place for Rose.
Big hugs Wiles!
This is true – sometimes I think it is so much tougher on the people (and pets) left behind when someone goes home to heaven. This is selfish of me, though. I need to remember it is such a better place for Rose.
Lots of love,
Wiles
What a great way to see this kind of a day, Wiles. We have sadness for Rose’s family and the hungry person. We will pray for them to find all that they need right here in the airport terminal….
Love and licks,
Cupcake
As always, I shared your words with my mom. You should know they made her tear up. We too hope they find what they need in that airport terminal.
Lots of love,
Wiles
I am sorry to hear abour Rose and I hope that Penny will be okay and have a home. I think animals have to be in heaven. As our best friends and family members, I just think they have to be there.
You’re absolutely right about animals being in heaven. Until then, I am certain Penny will be well taken care of…though I haven’t heard from her in a few days, so I can do nothing but pray now I suppose…
I am so sorry to hear about Rose!
Thanks friend.