Some stories are so very sweet that they seem almost too good to be true.
And while the story of a little girl who lost her furry best friend and wrote to God about it has made the rounds on the Internet for years, there’s proof that it did, indeed, happen. Even Snopes investigated and found it to be true.
A writer for the San Antonio Express-News discovered that in August 2006, Greg and Joy Scrivener and their three children suffered the loss of their dog, Abbey, a much-loved 14-year-old black and white mutt.
The child who had the most difficult time processing the news was their 4-year-old daughter Meredith. She was just old enough to understand that she couldn’t ever see her dog again but not quite old enough to comprehend that Abbey was at peace.
When Meredith’s mom found her crying the next day over her pup’s death, she told her more about Heaven and encouraged her daughter to write a letter to God to make sure Abbey was well taken care of in her new home.
Some version of little Meredith’s letter has been on the Internet ever since, presumably after her mother shared it online.
Joy Scrivner dictated Meredith’s words:
Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and swim before she got sick. I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
Love,
Meredith Claire
The great thing about 4-year-olds is that they still trust their parents to get things where they’re supposed to go, so Mrs. Scrivener helped her daughter tuck the letter into an envelope along with two photos of Abbey so that God would be able to recognize Heaven’s newest resident.
The duo addressed it “To: God in Heaven” and included the family’s return address before dropping it off at the post office.
We can only assume that over the next two weeks some of the sadness abided but that Meredith, who was often called “Mer,” still experienced those potent moments of grief when you realize your loved one isn’t there any longer.
It was at that point that the Scriveners found a mysterious envelope on their doorstep one day when they came home from a trip to the museum. Most versions of the story say it was wrapped in gold paper and addressed simply “To: Mer,” so her parents allowed her to open it.
Inside was a copy of a book by the children’s television figure and all-around wonderful man Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers) called When a Pet Dies.
Taped to the inside front cover was the letter Meredith and her mom had written to God. Opposite that someone had taped one of the two the photos of Abbey the dog and an inscription that simply said: “For Meredith.”
But sweetest of all was a handwritten note on pink paper taped to the back cover of the book across from the other photo of Abbey. Someone had really thought this out.
That note read:
Dear Mer,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
You know, Meredith, she isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me — just like she stays in your heart — young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don’t need our bodies in Heaven, I don’t have any pockets! — so I can’t keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps.
Thank you for your beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am in Heaven and wherever there is love.
Love,
God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.
It’s been well over a decade since this all took place, but you can see why it’s still warming hearts online.
The San Antonio news reporter who spoke to the Scriveners found out that Meredith was comforted by the letter and was confident all along that her message would make it to the right place (however, 6-year-old brother Andy thought it was pretty amazing that she got a letter back from God).
While Mrs. Scrivener thought about asking around at the post office about the sweet gesture, in the end she decided to leave it a mystery.
(Note: None of the photos that typically circulate with the story are authentic – it appears the family never shared them. We’ve chosen photos to illustrate the story from non-copyrighted sources.)
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