Noel is very lonely. Her best friend, Scarlett, is away at the animal hospital.
Scarlett is Noel's very own special dog.
"When is Scarlett coming home?" Noel asks Mommy. "I miss her."
Mommy gives Noel a big hug.
"I miss her, too. But Scarlett is very sick. Maybe she won't be able to come home."
Noel holds Mommy's hand, and thinks about that.
"Do you mean, she might die?"
Mommy is honest. "She might."
"If Scarlett dies, then we can't play catch with the tennis ball."
"No," says Mommy.
"Scarlett won't be waiting for me to come home from school."
"No," says Mommy.
Noel feels very sad.
"Mommy, can animals go to heaven?" Noel wonders.
Mommy lifts Noel into her lap. "Yes, I think so.
"Really?" asks Noel. "Will Scarlett have wings?"
"If she wants them," Mommy says. "But don't you think Scarlett would rather run than fly?"
"She always runs fast after her tennis ball," Noel remembers.
"Will she have to start over as a puppy when she goes to heaven?"
"I think Scarlett will look just the same as she does now. But she won't be hurt or sick anymore," Mommy says.
"That's good." Noel feels...
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