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Wednesday, August 15th 2007

10:39 AM

The Value of a Dog's Life in One Family

Dear Friends,

Last night we had some church friends over to our house for dinner. Later that evening after they had left, our family dog, Zoe, came to me with the saddest eyes and with great distress. She was in pain and uttered a terrible moan that would not stop. Her stomach was bloated and we took her to the Blackman Animal Clinic around midnight. Dr. Pat met us there. He was such a kind and wonderful person to show up in our family's hour of need.

We left Zoe in Dr. Pat's capable hands. It turned out that after x-rays were done that Zoe had a twisted stomach that dogs sometime get. He gave her various conservative treatments, and she seemed to be better in the morning. However, as the morning progressed she worsened and her vital signs weakened.

When Alex and I came by around 10:30 a.m. today she was once again in distress and we made the terrible yet only decision to release her from this life. If "His eye is on the one sparrow that falls" as Jesus has said, then certainly God sees and cares about every creature He has made great and small.

Do dogs have an "eternal life"? Is there a Dog Heaven? The Scripture is almost silent on this account...

The writer of Ecclesiastes says in 3:19-21, "For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over the animals; for all is vanity. All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth?"

You could just as easily turn that question around, "Who knows whether the spirit of animals goes upwards?' Is there a "Dog Heaven" seems to be an open if not leading question assuming a positive response based on this. I do know that the Bible paints one picture of heaven as the "Peaceable Kingdom" at the end of time when the "lion will lie down with the lamb."

Zoe, I love you. You are a good dog, a very good dog. You loved me and everyone in our family unconditionally for 14 years as no human has the capacity to do. I hope, I really, really hope that when I see the Lord Jesus one day that I will see you there by his side too with your tail wagging and your big dog smile!

pj

260 Feedback.

Posted by Heather Libich:

I pray that your family finds peace and comfort in this time of loss. We have also learned the hard way that sometimes the best love means letting go. Hugs for you Alex, Stephanie and Kris and know that we care.

Wednesday, August 15th 2007 @ 9:04 PM

Posted by Bob Clifford:

Jim,

I liked this entry very much. As someone who enjoys to company of dogs and cats (most of the time, anyway)it struck a chord.

Did you ever see the old Twilight Zone episode about the mountain man and his hunting dog who die while hunting a raccoon? It deals with the same subject in a most interesting way!

Peace,

Bob

Thursday, September 6th 2007 @ 7:49 AM

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Wednesday, August 15th 2007

10:39 AM

The Value of a Dog's Life in One Family

260 Feedback.

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