I sometimes call a movie a documentary in jest.

I’m a sucker for an easy laugh, or even better, a groan.

My significant other is from West Virginia, so I often refer to the movie “Wrong Turn” as a documentary. It involves cannibals in West Virginia and is in reality fiction. But calling it a documentary is funny when you’re around her.

What does this have to do with veterinary medicine? The movie, “All Dogs Go To Heaven.”

Of course they do.

That is honestly my opinion. I say opinion because I have no real reference to make sure. No vision has come to me to tell me this. And I haven’t really delved into all the religious texts out there to confirm it. But logic leads me to the decision. And the outcome of that logic comforts me. Which may bring the validity into question, but stick with me.

This assumes after your physical existence is done, your awareness lives on. Call it a soul, if you will. And if you’re lucky enough to move on to a place of comfort and love and care, what are we to expect?

If this afterlife is filled with every bit of love and joy you can have, dogs are there. This applies to me, at least. No all-encompassing love would be complete if I couldn’t feel the love of a dog. So an all-powerful love would have to include a warm muzzle feeling, too. If heaven is all the love you could ever experience, dogs are there.

Yes, dogs lack the same level of consciousness that most humans have. Choosing right and wrong is a different endeavor to your pup. No ennui clouds your canine companion’s conscience.

So the question of a dog earning such an afterlife may be muddy. But when it comes to that sort of thing, the waters are already pretty murky.

I just know for me, and for many like me, no heaven will be complete without fuzzy companions.

Will they be puppies or kittens? Will they be old, wise and gray? I don’t know that. But they’ll be there.

Matthew Sisk is a practicing veterinarian from Habersham County. Have questions about your pet? He can be reached at mattsisk2003@yahoo.com.