High up in the courts of Heaven today
A little dog angel waits;
With the other angels he will not play
But sits alone at the gates.
"I know that my master will come, says he
And when he comes he will call for me."

He sees the spirits that pass him by
As they hasten toward the throne;
And he watches them with a wistful eye
As he sits at the gates alone.
"I know if I just wait patiently
Some day my master will come," says he.

And his master, far on the earth below,
As he sits in his easy chair,
Forgets sometimes and he whistles low
For the dog that isn't there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears
And dreams that his master's call he hears.

I know when at last his master waits
Outside in the dark and cold,
For the hand of Death to open the gates
That lead to those courts of gold,
The little dog angel's eager bark
Will comfort his soul in the shivering dark.

--Author Unknown