I am not the most insensitive person in the world, but I am also not the most sensitive either.  However I have been crying like baby for the last week.  Last Thursday (April 17th), I came home from work to find that Jake, my 10 year old boxer died.  He had not been eating for a while, but that was the only symptom he was exhibiting.  I was shocked.

            I took care of all the arrangements, brought him to the vet, called the girls to let them know and broke the news to Bev.  Yes, in that order, I did not think the school would give her personal time off for the death of a pet (she assured me later – they would).  I cleaned up the room where the dogs sleep, putting away Jake’s stuff – I must have lost 5 pounds of weight in tears the whole afternoon.

            In the midst of all that, a couple Bible verses came to mind:

 

Jonah 4:11 (NASB)  "Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?"
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)  in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

            I remembered that God cares about our animals.  Now don’t get me wrong, I do not believe that I will see Jake in heaven (told you I was insensitive).  However I realized that God takes joy in what (or who) gives us joy.  As I thought of this, I felt His presence with me and I began to thank Him for allowing me to have 10 years with that clown of a dog.  I have had many dogs in my life, but I have not enjoyed any of them as much as I have enjoyed Jake.  It did not change my sadness at the loss, but it did make it a little easier to bear.  We have picked out our next boxer and both Bev and I look forward to seeing what kind of a blessing he will be.