Sunday, April 25, 2010

All Dogs Go To Heaven


I have spent the last ten years following the lead of a beautiful dog named Georgie. I learned more about unconditional love (and biting) from this little stinker than anyone I’ve ever known. Georgie has shared some of my most personal moments of triumph and heartbreak along with some of my most embarrassing scenarios. I can see the wisdom in God designing these creatures without the ability to talk so they can be our “keepers of the secrets”, (not to mention who wants a chatty dog keeping them up all night?) But make no mistake; even without words Georgie would express his opinion. If Georgie objected to any command, he would throw himself across his pillow and pout like a rebel without his paws. In his later years he became the guardian of my well being and self-appointed top dog. If I worked too late at night, he would stomp into the room huffing until I turned off the computer and headed to bed. He also chimed like Big Ben at 5pm everyday to “subtly” remind me it was time to walk. In many ways he saved my life by forcing me to keep a regular schedule of meals and exercise.

Just like the rest of my family members, Georgie and I shared some hilarious memories. I still laugh out loud when I think about the day I caught him stealing my socks as I yelled “Drop it Monkeyboy!” at the exact time the trash man was picking up the trash. The trashman thought I was yelling at him while Georgie tried to muffle his giggles with a bark but I heard him. He was quite the prankster. I could almost swear he pushed me the day I fell in the man hole. That Son of Lassie was no help at all. Georgie was on his back laughing while I had to crawl out of the hole and drag home one bloody leg like the Bride of Frankenstein. It is no wonder that I took his medicine by mistake thinking it was a piece of cheese.

Animals hold a special place in God’s kingdom. God created animals even before man. He designed dogs to think, feel and express joy in their own way. A wise friend told me that God created our pets with a shorter life span for a reason. I think that it might be even harder on them to lose us, than for us to lose them. It is the loss of innocence, of companionship and unconditional love. Surely all dogs go to heaven. It is with deep sorrow that Georgie was laid to rest this week due to health problems and chronic pain. I will end this story with the simple prayer that has been on my heart since his passing, “Lord help me be the person my dog thinks I am. Amen.”

7 comments:

  1. Lori...I am so sorry. Your words are wonderful to read, as we just said good-bye to our Gabriel this week. We had had him since our first Christmas together, and Steve and I bother sobbed most of the day Thursday.

    Will be thinking of you and praying for you this week, even as we remember with laughter and pain our treasured friend.

    Sarah

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  2. Lori, I'm so sorry. Although I knew it had to be, I also know it is not an easy time for you now. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
    Much love,
    Pamela, and Edward too.

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  3. You are in my thoughts and prayers Sweet Lady! It is so difficult to lose a cherished friend like Georgie but there are other little hearts that will be blessed by a life with Lori Lee!!!

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  4. Know you are missing Georgie. And we miss your wonderful musings? Headed this way anytime soon?

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  5. Hey Lori

    I just saw this. Sorry about G. If you decide you want another good companion, Emmylou has a dog rescue operation who'd love to foist another character on a Loving soul.

    Later
    pkm

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  6. That is about the sweetest thing I've ever read. Thanks a lot for making me cry first thing this morning!!! I love the reasoning about the shorter life span of our furry friends. I've tried to figure that out forever and now you've just made it clear. Love you. Janet

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  7. Thanks to my friends for your words of comfort. Dogs are just family members with fur and I felt the loss even more than I thought I would.
    I will get a new family member one day and will share the joy of puppyhood will all my friends.
    Love you all.

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