“When the vet calls to confirm Tuesday’s appointment don’t cancel this time.” My husband had made two appointments to put our fourteen-and-a-half-year-old lab down, but each time she seemed to rally. So I’d canceled the appointments.
Larry’s back is more important than giving our girl a little more time, I told myself. But I grieved. Corrie was deaf and lame but still alert in the evenings. She never whimpered when she fell, though her falls had to hurt her arthritic body. Our vet said most dogs would be grumpy at her stage in life. Corrie never was.
I spent Sunday afternoon alone with Corrie. She ate the food I placed between her front paws. She loved her biscuits, so I gave her extra. I selected the thinnest rawhide chew, but by evening she was too weak to hold her head up. I brushed away the tears her lab eyes summoned when she looked at me.
This was her last gift to me. Her way of saying, “Larry’s right. It is time.”
For the last year my husband and son had carried Corrie outside because she could no longer negotiate steps. But she still had her spirit. She would lean her head into your hand when you petted her. She perked up for her treats, and she always roused when my son came home.
Why would we hang on to a pet who could do nothing for us? She had numerous accidents. Christmas Eve Larry had to bathe her between dinner and dessert. We washed her bed several times a week. She was heavy to lift.
We hung on because we loved her.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God” (Luke 12:6 NIV).
If God remembers sparrows, how much more does He treasure you. God uses our pets to say, “If you love Corrie (your pet) this much, think how much more I love you.”
The world may not remember us or care what we do each day. But God knows, cares, and remembers (Psalm 139:1-6). He loves us with a perfect Father’s love.
Our family will never forget Corrie. Her puppy antics, adult mischief, and constant affection have memorialized her in our hearts.
Do you have an imperfect pet you’ll never forget? When you think about your pet, remember God loves you more.
LINKUP PARTY is open!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
Linkup is open! Join my friend @debbiewwilson as we look at How Saying Goodbye to a Pet Is a Reminder of God’s Love. Share your blog! Click To Tweet
I never would have thought of connecting the verse about sparrows to our pets. But it really does illustrate the point that if God cares about them, and by extension our pets, how much more does He care about us.
Yes! Isn’t His love amazing?
Oh, Debbie, my heart aches for you. We had to euthanize our beloved St. Bernard this year, and we still miss him every single day. So helpful to read a message that redeems the hurt. God loves us more!
Thank you, Michele. We lost her a while back, but we still miss her and talk about her. I’m sorry for the loss of your St. Bernard. They enrich our lives so much.
It is so hard to lose a pet, even when it is the right time. It is good to remember how God cares for every detail of our lives!
Yes it is. Thanks, Joanne.
I hear the challenges and sorrow to say goodbye and I am reminded of our son’s dog, Sam, a Golden Retriever, of a similar age as your Corrie. Sam too was arthritic and our grandson built a ramp for him in the last months of his life, but the time came when they needed to make this hard decision for Sam. Love meant being willing to say goodbye so he would not be in pain and suffering.
Pam, that is such a hard decision. One I’m glad only God should make for us. How sweet your grandson built a ramp for him.
Oh Debbie, my heart goes out to you. Your story is so very similar to my own good bye story, when I walked my Golda home. She was 1 month shy of her 15th birthday, and such a precious pet she had been. She was an answer to prayer many years ago, and loved our family well. Thank you for the beautiful reminders that God cares for even our pets, and knows the sorrow of the hard good bye.
Donna, they make a place in our hearts, for sure. I know you relate.
I’m not a pet person but I can appreciate the hole that Corrie’s absence makes in your lives. How comforting to know God notices every detail – even when a sparrow falls.
Isn’t that an amazing comfort?
I’m so sad to hear of your precious Corrie’s passing, Debbie. I’m so thankful you had Sunday for just the two of you. Thank you for this gracious reminder that God loves, He cares, and He sees.
What a lovely summation! Thanks, Lisa.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thanks, Lauren. I reposted a blog from my website. It’s not a fresh loss, but a loss none the less.
What a precious message Debbie. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Visiting today from Recharge Wednesday # 16&17
Thanks, Paula. God bless!
Debbie, I’m sorry, didn’t realize I never circled back to leave a comment. I related to this as our beloved dachshund passed away two weeks after she turned 15 in October. And it was unexpected and oh, so, so hard. We were heartbroken for months. Sadie had had several seizures a few months before and was diagnosed with a heart murmur a few years before. But this particular day she was not herself from the morning on. A few hours later, my husband took her to the vet who suggested the kindest and most loving thing we could do for her was to put her down. Such a great analogy to the love of God.
Karen, they are so much a part of the family. I’m sorry for your loss. I think God gives them to us in part to remind us of the brevity of life and to number our days with wisdom and appreciation.