If you have never loved a family pet, you may not understand what I am going to write. Doesn’t matter if it was a dog, cat, horse, goat…If it was loved and loved like family, you will understand.
Our little Harley failed so quickly that we had to act with mercy and help our little guy. Hardest thing to do, but even harder to see him suffering. Now comes the grieving.
If you tell someone that you grieve for this precious pet. Often you will get a look, like, you have got to be kidding. Nope. I’m not. Our loved furry family member was in our care for fourteen and a half years. He helped raise four grandchildren. And he taught his master and his master’s wife a thing or two about life. His care and comfort were a good part of our daily routine.
I should say here. I know grief. I have watched my parents and two sisters pass from this life to the next. When I tell you that what we in this family feel today, is so similar, the only way you will know that I speak the truth, is if you have experienced both as well.
Like the empty chair for our human loved ones…His place is empty. He is not waiting by our chair when we come in the door. When we rise early because we can’t sleep or need to study, or read…he is not sitting at our feet. When we decide to have a snack, he is not sitting staring at us with those awesome brown eyes, not moving, just hoping that either a bite of our snack or a doggie treat will come his way. He is not watching as the yardwork is done, just in case he needs to fight off intruders…As though he was big enough to do such a thing. There is grief to bear here. Loss. Time on our hands that once showered him with love and care and was received with such grateful love in return, and that beautiful Laso tail, waving his thank you. Many have experienced the loss of beloved pets and understand what I speak of.
What did we learn from Harley in his fourteen plus years? When I reflect today in the extreme silence of my home, God and Harley’s treatment of us is so similar.
Unconditional love. Harley was always on standby, waiting to greet us. God waits to greet us each and every day. Sometimes, we would forget that Harley was in the backyard. Open the door and he was just standing there…Waiting. Often we neglect God and Jesus and put them outside our life and forget them too. But God waits on us, however long it takes. When we would rise early, we were never alone, he was on twenty-four seven call. He would sit and let us know that we were not alone. God never leaves us alone. Harley was little, but he would defend us to his death. God defends us from the enemy every day and Jesus died for us.
We have always believed that if you are going to have a pet. You should treat it well and love it. The price that we pay for that care and love, is incredible grief when they are gone. No different than when we lose our human loved ones. I am not a theologian. But I pray the following is true. That the one who created all things. All things, not just humans but animals. That He would desire that they be where He is. They may not have a soul that needs saving, like we do. But scripture says that animals were in the Garden of Eden. God made provision to see that animals would live beyond the flood by putting Noah in charge of making a place for them. And when scripture says that Jesus will return riding a white horse…Need I say more? God loves his animals. I choose to believe our beautiful pets from God’s creation will be provided for, beyond that beautiful place referred to as the Rainbow Bridge. God has a purpose for all his creation. There will be plenty of all that is good and that will bring glory to God in heaven. So long sweet Harley, you have left lasting memories for us to cherish. It is the prayer of your family that we see you again.
~Scripture For Today~
Genesis 2:19
19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. (NKJV)
Psalm 145:9
9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. (NLT)
Revelation 19:11
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. (NKJV)
Isaiah 65:25
25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain, says the Lord. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We praise You for all your magnificent works. For all your creation. Our pets are such a loved part of our families. We don’t know all that You have in store for us, but we know You will spare no good thing that brings joy to your children. We entrust our pets into Your care. Heal the void that we feel when they are gone from us. We above all things, pray that all would come to salvation through Your Son. Forgive us for our sins and shortcomings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.