My heart is so heavy today.
Archie, our beloved 12 year old dachshund, died last night.
I've been putting off posting this entry because I knew it would be a hard one to write.
My eyes are filled with tears right now.
Archie was family.
He was with us for 12 years of ups and downs.
Always loving.
Always funny.
Always driving us crazy!
But Archie was especially attached to me.
He was my shadow.
When I would be up early to do my morning devotions he sat on my lap.
I often called him my "reading buddy."
I read a lot.. and he always sat or laid by my side.
Every day.
Not today.
He had been sick for a few days and we knew something wasn't right.
Turns out he was slipping away.
We took him to our compassionate vet and he told us there were many things wrong.
Too many.
And so we had to make a hard yet loving decision.
My wife and I along with our two boys spent about 20 minutes with Archie before they took him.
It was agonizing.
We cried.
A lot.
We held him.
We kissed him.
We prayed.
And the presence of the Lord was there.
In that moment I experienced a great truth:
God loves us and cares about what we care about.
Archie was so calm, which isn't like him at all.
He was peaceful... looking at each one of us in turn as if to say...
"I love you so much. It's going to be okay."
And then they took him away.
I don't have a theological leg to stand on when it comes to the question...
"Do our beloved pets go to Heaven?"
I like to think Archie will meet me at the gates.. running at top speed.. jumping into my arms.
Even though the Bible is silent about such things, I think about who God is.
He's loving beyond comprehension.
Why wouldn't he reunite us with our precious pets?
When we were in the room saying goodbye, I noticed some wooden words hanging on the wall:
"Loving you for loving me."
"Yes..." I said in a whisper as I held him.
"My love for you will remain even though shadows are fleeting."
4 comments:
Kurt,
I am so very sorry to hear about Archie. I can't imagine the grief you are feeling right now. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Like you I believe that my 2 beautiful dachshunds will meet me in heaven when I get there someday!
Stacy
Kurt,
I am so sorry to hear about your beloved pet.Yes, I do believe pets go to heaven and we will be reunited with them when we get there. You and your family are in my prayers.
Janis
Las Vegas
How touching, and a place that many of us have been, as well.
Dogs are such special creatures in our lives. Our son also has a dachsund, and he is very speical, taking a backseat to a new child in his life, and watching, with care, as he is tended for.
I know how you feel.
That dog will always have a special place in your heart, and will never be forgotten.
Sandra
Kurt:
Early this morning, while reading your post again, I remembered I still had this beautiful article posted by Fred McDuff of Channel 3 back in 2007. I felt led to share it with you, in hopes that it may render some comfort to you and your family.
I am certain that Archie is now residing in the Heavenlies, romping around in complete and perfect health. Perhaps he has even become best friends with Jordan ... and together they are both experiencing a life beyond anything they knew here on Earth.
I want you to know that I am with you and yours, in thought and prayer, as you wrestle with this sudden separation. Words are never enough, and I will not say that I know your pain, for I don't. But I have experienced much the same separation myself with my own shadow, Buddy. He was sixteen years old ... a loving, Beagle mutt!
He was my best friend while growing up, and well into adulthood. I miss him to this day, and always will. No matter what I was doing, or wherever I went in the car, he was right there beside me. He would have it no other way! When I opened the car door, there he was, sitting on the passenger seat, ready to go! Come nightfall, he was still right there beside me. As the evening would progress, he knew when it was time to go to bed, and would always let me know.
I reflect on your comment: Even though the Bible is silent about such things, I think about Who God is. He's loving beyond comprehension. Why wouldn't he reunite us with our precious pets?
I believe that He will ... yes, indeed, He will! God is pure love, and likewise, through my own experiences, and I am certain you will agree, our doggies express their love in much the same manner. Unconditional love, no matter what ... just like our Father God in Heaven!
I find myself with tears of joy and appreciation running down my face as I write this ... joy and appreciation for the gift of love God pours forth in our direction through our pets. We are never the same again after we have experienced such unconditional love! Although the shadow is fleeting, the love and fond memories that we cling to, through the experience, will never diminish. The pain will ebb, but the love shall remain forever!
May the Peace and Love of our Savior surround you all!
Jay
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