I am so sorry for the loss of your companion. Dogs are special gifts from God to us. I cling to those verses in Romans and expect to see all our dogs when God calls us home.
My best friend passed seven years ago and I still tear up thinking about him. It was the first time I had to confront the death of someone close to me. I remember crying upstairs after having to put him down and telling my wife I didn’t know why I was making such a big deal about a dog. She comforted me letting me know he was not just a pet but a friend. 11 years we hung together, I took him to class, to parties, on dates when my wife and I first went out. He was a part of my life as a young man. College, first job, marriage, first kids. Through it all he never put up a fuss. A true companion. I haven’t owned another dog since. I know I’ll see him and the others I have lost over my life in the next one. I’m sorry for your loss.
I've had dogs my whole life, losing them never gets easier. Personally, all my dogs have been wonderful and special in their own right. I think each has been a gift from God. Our last one, Jerry a Shepherd Retriever mix died four years ago, he was almost 14 years old. Similar story to the author's above.
Jerry was a shelter dog, we were lucky to find him when we did, you could say he picked us when he stuck his paw out the cage at my wife. Jerry was about a year old when we got him, and 7 years old when my first son was born, we were nervous over how he'd react. Jerry was a wonderful guardian of our first and then second son's. Never had to train him to protect the boys, it was instinctual.
When the time came to say goodbye to him I cried for days. Well, weeks really. We went for 6 months without a dog, I said I never wanted another one. One day a friend called, he had a black labradoodle from a rescue. Took the kids to see the dog, they became instant friends. Teddy was 10 months when we got him, he's going on 5 now. I can't imagine this house without him, he's such an integral part of our family.
I tried like hell not to like this dog. Dammit, he made it way to hard not to like him. I imagine I'll bawl my eyes out when his time comes too, but in the meantime I consider it a great day the day we all found each other, and a blessing to have this wonderful animal in my home.
Thank you Lord for the blessing of this fine animal. (At least this was only 5 short paragraphs and not a full blown novel like last time...)