All Dogs Go To Heaven 3 : All Go To Heaven!

The darkness that had enveloped Judith was not cold, nor was it frightening.

Instead, it dissolved with a gentle whisper, replaced by a soft, golden light that warmed her skin with the comforting embrace of a summer afternoon.

When she opened her eyes – eyes that had seen too much, far too early – she blinked at a landscape of impossible beauty.

Rolling hills, impossibly green, stretched into the distance under a sky that seemed to shimmer with every hue of dawn and dusk simultaneously. A river, clear as crystal, meandered through a valley, its banks adorned with flowers that pulsed with their own inner light.

The air smelled of sunshine and blooming flowers, and carried the faint, distant sound of music that seemed woven into the very fabric of peace.

The chilling grip of fear, the tight knot in her little chest, simply wasn't there. It had evaporated like morning mist, leaving behind a sensation she barely remembered: pure, unadulterated relief.

Charle: Well, look who finally decided to show up!" a familiar, gruff but friendly voice boomed from just in front of her.

Judith blinked, her heart giving a little flutter of recognition that had nothing to do with fear. Two figures, unmistakably canine, bounded towards her.

One was a tall, sleek dog with a mischievous grin and a rakish stance, his ears perked and his tail wagging with exuberant pride.

The other, stockier and perpetually a little nervous, trotted behind him, his ears flattened, whimpering softly with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Itchy: Aw, Charlie, don't scare the little one," the smaller dog whined, nudging his companion.

Itchy: She looks a bit lost!

Charlie B. Barkin, the very same canine con-artist with a heart of gold she had brought to life, lowered himself to her level, his eyes twinkling. Beside him, Itchy Itchiford, his loyal, flea-bitten best friend, nudged her hand gently with his wet nose.

Judith: You – you're Charlie," Judith whispered, her voice reedy with wonder.

Judith: And Itchy.

Charle: The one and only, kiddo! Charlie declared, puffing out his chest.

Charlie: Glad you could make it.

Charle: Took you long enough.

Charle: Heard you had a bit of a rough journey!

Charle: but hey, no more rough stuff here, capiche?

He offered her a paw, surprisingly soft.

Itchy whimpered again, then licked her hand.

Charle: He means welcome, Judith. We've been waiting for you."

Judith, who hadn't felt truly safe in what seemed like an eternity, found herself reaching out.

Her small hand clasped Charlie's paw, and she felt the warmth of Itchy's fur as he leaned against her leg.

A tiny, tremulous smile touched her lips in heaven.

Charlie: So! Charlie announced, standing tall and gesturing grandly with his paw towards the endless horizon,

Charlie: Operation: Heaven's Grand Tour, starring Charlie, Itchy, and our newest VIP, Judith, is officially a go!"

He led the way, bounding with boundless energy, Itchy trotting faithfully by his side, occasionally casting worried glances back at Judith.

She found she could glide effortlessly, her bare feet touching grass that felt softer than any carpet.

Charlie: "First stop," Charlie barked, stopping beside the crystalline river, "the Whispering Waters! Rumor has it, if you listen real close, you can hear all the happiest sounds from Earth.

Judith knelt, dipping her fingers into the cool, clear water.

She heard not distant whispers, but distinct, joyful echoes: a baby's giggle, a dog's delighted bark, the melody of a lullaby.

A sense of profound peace washed over her!

Itchy, ever practical, pointed a paw. "And the fish here are delicious, Charlie says.

Itchy: Not that we eat much up here. It's more of a… feeling full, kind of deal."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Always with the food, Itchy.

Come on, kid, next up, the Cloud-Bouncing Meadows!"

He led her to a field where the clouds dipped so low they were like giant, fluffy trampolines. Charlie, with a whoop, leaped onto one, bouncing high into the air.

Judith, at first hesitant, watched as Itchy, with a careful, almost prim jump, followed.

Charlie: Your turn, Judith! Charlie called down, his voice echoing with mirth.

Tentatively, she stepped onto a cloud. It yielded under her weight, then lifted her gently.

A laugh, pure and clear, bubbled up from her throat – the kind she hadn't truly known in a long, long time.

She giggled, bouncing higher and higher, Charlie cheering her on, and Itchy, though still a little anxious, even letting out a small, happy yelp.

They spent what felt like hours exploring. Charlie showed her trees whose leaves shimmered with every conceivable color, and if you held a leaf up to the light, you could see tiny, shifting images of love and kindness.

Itchy led her to a quiet grove where tiny, luminous creatures flitted among the flowers, leaving trails of stardust.

He even showed her a patch of eternally blooming dandelions, just so she could make a wish – though he winked and told her, Up here, wishes just sort of… happen.

As the endless, golden afternoon began to mellow into a soft, perpetual twilight, Charlie found a cozy spot under a tree whose branches formed a perfect, leafy canopy.

Charlie: Tired, little one? he asked, nudging her gently.

Judith shook her head, though a profound weariness had settled into her bones – not a bad weariness, but the sweet exhaustion of a long, joyful day.

Judith: No, she whispered,

Judith: "I just… I feel so good. So safe."

Itchy curled up beside her, a warm, comforting weight. Charlie lay on her other side, resting his head on his paws, his eyes soft.

Charlie: That's the point, kiddo," Charlie said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Charlie: Out there, it was a jungle!

Charlie: Here, it's… home. And you're never alone…

Itchy: Not anymore."

Judith looked from Charlie's kind, knowing eyes to Itchy's steady, loyal gaze.

She was just a little girl, but for the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn't scared. She felt a love so vast and unconditional, it took her breath away.

The soft, distant music seemed to swell, enveloping them in its peaceful embrace.

Judith closed her eyes, a small, contented sigh escaping her lips.

She was home, and Charlie and Itchy, her loyal, animated guardians, were right there to show her around, forever.

(In Peace)- Rip Judith Barsi : Thank you for your Voice! > July 25. 1988