Three Rights Make a Left

THE END OF LIFE THROUGH A DOG’S EYES

As I told you a few weeks ago, we have a new furry family member named Toby in our house and life hasn’t been the same since he came. He is an Ausie-Pom puppy and the source of endless fun and entertainment, especially for our grandkids.

When I first took him for his shots our vet asked if I wanted to have him “fixed”. I quickly dismissed the idea saying, “What if I want one of his puppies after he is gone, hopefully a lot of years from now,” and I told her I didn’t want him neutered right now. However, in the weeks since then, he “reminded me” of some of the negative behaviors an un-neutered dog will act out.

So last week we made an appointment to have him “fixed” at the “Spay and Neuter” network in Crandall. We checked around and the cost of around $75 is a fraction of the cost at other places.

There was a long line in the waiting room, so I had time to play with my cell phone. By coincidence an article popped up on Facebook about people who have to make the sad decision to put longtime pets to sleep at the end of their life. The article said that veterinarians report that 90 percent of pet owners choose not to be in the room in their pet’s final moments. The article claims that vets express sadness that people find it too hard to be there in the final moments. The pet is in a room they don’t want to be in, surrounded by faces they don’t recognize searching for a familiar face they do recognize. The article suggests that people need to consider that their final act of love should be to hold and reassure their pet in their final moments.

The article reminded me of a story I have told a couple of funerals and I’m sure I have told here. Of course, once you reach a certain age you tend to tell stories over and over again. I try not to do that but this one bears repeating.

It was the late 19th century and a country doctor got word that a friend and brother in Christ needed him. The old doctor knew what that meant. He hitched up his horse drawn buggy and headed to his friend’s house in the country.

When he got there, he knew the end would come soon and all he could do was comfort his friend and reassure him about life afterwards.

The man said: “I know I am saved and I believe and trust Jesus, but I’m still afraid.”

The old doctor cupped the mans face in his hands and said: “Do you hear my dog scratching and whining at the door?” He went on: “He followed me out here and he wants in this room. He has never been in here and doesn’t know exactly what to expect. He does know that I’m in here and nothing else matters.”

He went on: “When you pass to the other side, just know that Jesus is there and nothing else will matter.”

In the case of a dog in his final moments, all that will matter to him is that you will be there in the end. What happens after that is in God’s hands and I won’t speculate.