Keeping in Touch #13

As of last Friday, for the first time in 43 years, I am pet-less. When I was growing up, we had pets, but they were all outdoor pets. When I got my own home, I made the executive decision that comes with ownership, that pets would be allowed indoors. Through the years, we’ve had 3 dogs, 6 cats, a guinea pig, a rabbit, several fish, tadpoles that turned into frogs, and turtles. Except for our first dog, all our pets were the kids’ pets, but as you would expect, Mom had a lot to do with their care.

Some people are cat-people, and others are dog-people. I have a special affinity for dogs. Jack was a spirited, high-energy Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix that chose Spencer at C.A.P.S. in 2003. Spencer graduated from high school in 2004 and moved to Austin. From that day forward, Jack became my dog.

He was 17 ½ years old (that’s about 100 human years old!) when we euthanized him last Fri. He had been diagnosed more than a year ago with an adrenal insufficiency called Addison’s Disease. The last 6 months, he developed an incredibly picky appetite. There was no dogfood that he would eat, so I found myself cooking for him. The neuropathy in his hips had gotten to the point where he had a hard time walking, so sometimes he needed me to carry him to the grass to do his business. Several years ago, I remember my aunt doing some of the same things for her dog and wondered why she would go to the trouble. Now, I know.

Last Fri. afternoon, my two boys and I took Jack to his last vet’s visit. We wrapped him in a towel, and Spencer carried him. He always liked going to the vet, because he knew he would get a special treat at the end of the visit. Spencer held him like a baby, and Jack looked up at us, continually shifting his eyes from Spencer to Mason to me – almost celebrating that we were all there together with him. He looked like he was smiling. We all said our good-byes accompanied with heartfelt tears. I have no doubt that he knew he was loved.

I’m surprised how much extra time I have now that Jack is gone. The house has been very quiet the last 5 days. There’s no tapping of his claws on the tile floor. I’ve washed his beds, cleaned up all the dog hair, and found someone to take all the leftover dogfood that he wouldn’t eat and some of his toys.

There are several books about DOG spelled backward is GOD. I used to have one of these books in my second-grade classroom library, but I think it was permanently borrowed by someone who needed it. I looked online and found many books and poems on this topic. I ask myself the usual questions, “Where can I find God in this experience? What does God want me to learn from sharing my life and my love with one of his creatures?”

I’ve always thought it’s good for children to grow up with pets. They learn to care and love one of God’s creatures, but they also learn about life and death, along with the joy and sadness of pet ownership. I’ve tried to name the important lessons we learn from our pets. • Dogs are loyal and faithful to their masters. They eagerly wait for us to come home. With Jack, I could be gone 5 minutes and walk back into the house, and he would welcome me as if I’d been gone all day. He would defend me by barking at people if he felt uncomfortable with a person. In a similar way, I believe that God eagerly waits for us to “come home” to Him, and He welcomes us as the father did his prodigal son. I know He protects us as we weather the storms of life, because I’ve been through some of those storms and come out on the other side. • Dogs take joy in the simple things of life. God has created a world full of simple pleasures that we so often overlook. Dogs are entertained by a bug crawling across the patio. They relish rolling in a patch of cool dirt on a summer’s day. They immediately gobble down the tidbit of food that’s been dropped on the kitchen floor. Maybe we should learn to watch for and unapologetically appreciate the simple pleasures of life as well. • Dogs lift our spirits when we’re down. If I needed to just sit and be alone, Jack would patiently wait until I was ready to interact. Then he would come up and hope to get his ears rubbed. How could I be down when Jack was bouncing around waiting to play ball? God is always there beside us, waiting for us to look to Him for encouragement. He always wants what’s good for us, and He comforts us in times of sadness. • Dogs know their master’s voice and respond. Do I know my Master’s voice and respond?

Having pets has helped me appreciate the meaning of loyalty, dedication, joy, patience, and unconditional love. Pet ownership can feel like a burden with no benefits. The blessing is realized when we accept the unconditional love a pet is so willing to give. Yeah, I fed Jack and cared for him and played with him, etc., but I received so much more in return. He was my buddy, my companion. Pets teach us that relationships with people as well as with God are similar. The more I put into those relationships, the more I receive. What if I put more into it? How much deeper would that relationship be? How much better would I understand the true character of God?

I’m grateful that God created the world so intricately and with such detail that He even gave us pets that, through them, we get a glimpse of His love for us. We all know that God is love. This leads me to ask yet more questions. If God, who is love, created me in the image of Himself, what do I do with this gift of love? How do I share it with those around me and beyond? I have a feeling that God will provide that opportunity. . .

Ask the animals and they will teach you. In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10

This and That 1. Handmade fabric face masks, lovingly made by the MDUMC Face Mask Ministry, can be picked up Tues., June 23, and Wed., June 24, at 10-12 at the Adult Ministry Center. Love offerings are gratefully accepted. 2. Five volunteers are needed on both Tues., June 23, and Wed., June 24, at 10-12 to help with mask distribution and food donation collections at the Adult Ministry Center. Also needed are two persons with SUVs or trucks to deliver Soupmobile lunches on Thurs., June 25. If you can help, contact [email protected]. 3. Donations of food items can be dropped off at the Adult Ministry Center at 10 AM - noon on Tues. and Wed. Just pop open your trunk and someone will retrieve it. 4. In an attempt to staff the reception desk on the Main Campus with laity, we’re looking for volunteers to regularly schedule 2- or 3- hour shifts on Mon. through Thurs., beginning the week of June 22. If you’d be interested in serving in this fun and hospitable way, contact [email protected]. 4. Attached is a list of mental health agencies that may be helpful if you, or someone you know, is in crisis. Also included on this list are names of mental health professionals in our congregation who would be willing to visit by phone with fellow members who feel a need to talk. 5. The Men of Action group is now meeting by zoom on Tuesdays at 10am. They have fellowship, a devotion and a short presentation from a speaker. All are welcome. If you are interested in joining, please email Paul Smith for the zoom link at [email protected] 6. I’m looking for ways we can get together safely. I’m thinking about having a Pop In for Popsicles in the porte-cochere of the Adult Ministry Center one afternoon when we can have some popsicles or ice cream and visit for a bit. I know how we all miss one another! If you’d be interested, email me at [email protected] and I’ll set a date. 7. Watch for information about S.W.I.M., Sacred Week in Mission. Due to the circumstances, it’ll be different than in past years, but we still plan to venture out to serve. Interesting Links/Videos Hugs & Kisses - https://www.facebook.com/PhilipYancey/videos/857210124789289 Laughs of the Week • My dog used to chase people on a bike a lot. It got so bad, finally I had to take his bike away. • My boss told me to have a good day… so I went home. • Did you hear about the Italian chef that died? He pasta way. • I think I would like a job cleaning mirrors, it's just something I could really see myself doing.