I had my iguana for 17 years–a little tiny thing, at first–and I still miss him today, 40-plus years since he passed on. He was here long enough to get the idea that he was just another kind of cat or dog.
Animals do respond to attention and affection. Most of us know that!
And now I have to break…
We had a sad event in our neighborhood yesterday. Our neighbor’s dog died.
His name was Boomer. He was a big, brown-and-white pit pull with the personality of an angel. He was 16 years old–an age almost unheard-of in such a big dog. His human mommy took tender care of him.
He spent much of his time outdoors on his mattress, watching the world go by. He was always delighted if anyone came over to see him and give him a pet or two.
In several of the neighborhoods I’ve lived in, there was a dog like that–loved by everyone. When I was a little boy it was a dog named Brownie. He was free to wander up and down our dead-end street, and welcome everywhere. You could tell him your troubles. He was Brownie, and he listened.
God knows how we love our pets. It’s hard on us that their lifespans, compared to ours, are so short. But when you give your heart, you know it will someday be broken. We have to accept that, and rely on God to heal us.
Go in peace, Boomer. You were very well loved by very many people, and we’ll miss you.
And no, I can’t read this post aloud.
A dog’s tomb: her name was Helena
Every so often a discovery is made that brings the past to life. Its people speak to us; and we understand. We feel what they felt.
The inscription on Helena’s tomb reads, “To Helena, foster child, soul without comparison and deserving of praise.”
And an unknown Roman, some two thousand years ago, wrote this:
“My eyes were wet with tears, our little dog, when I bore you [to the grave]. So, Patricus, never again shall you give me a thousand kisses. Never can you be contentedly in my lap. In sadness, I buried you, as you deserve. In a resting place of marble, I have put you for all time by the side of my shade. In your qualities, you were sagacious, like a human being. Ah, what a loved companion we have lost!”
We know, whoever you were–we know.
I cannot read this post aloud.
[Source: Biblical Archaeological Review, May/June 2019, “Dogs in the Biblical World,” pg. 48]