Yesterday was our last day with Annie, our beloved dog.
We weren't expecting it to be yesterday, it just jumped out and surprised us. The saddest part was that Annie didn't get to decide for herself, she just got to the point where it was much too cruel for us to let her live in such a horrible state. None of us wanted to do that. We've been praying for months for God to just take her in the night. But we had to let her go.
I loved that dog. And we have all cried a lot since yesterday. She was a constant in the house, Annie was always there. You'd open the door and she'd be sleeping on the tile at your feet, waiting for you to get home. In the morning, she'd be there ready to go out and start the new day. Wherever we were in the house, she was with us. She was a good dog.
And now that's gone. Its like missing a room in your house; its kind of the same, but something is definitely different. Its quieter now, and less smelly. We have less responsibility and the living room feels a little emptier. I don't like it.
And all this makes me wonder why God puts pets in our lives. Why does he let them wheedle their way into our hearts? Why does he make them so integral to our families, and then take them away? The thought of animals having no soul has been plaguing me, and it just doesn't sound like God. Why would he put so much effort into them, the details of their personalities, the loving care for them (Matt. 10:29, Luke 12:24), just to snuff them from existence?
Annie loved popcorn. She would do anything to get some. She was scared of the vacuum, and terrified of our black friend, Marvin who frightened her as a puppy. He always used to say she was racist but we would just say, "Marvin, how can she be racist, she's a black dog?" She hated baths but loved to run around after one, she enjoyed sitting in our yard watching the neighborhood, she loved snow and would stick her nose in it no matter how cold it was outside, and she would not stop following mom around the house every second of the day.
There's something there, a spirit. Annie was a specific dog, unlike any other. And if animals have no soul, then she could never sin, which meant that there was nothing barring her from God. She was in God's will as a creature of his hand (Job 12:7-10). She knew who God was, and he loved her when he made her. He loves everything he creates. And outside of man, all creation knows and loves Him (Psalm 148:7-10). So I refuse to believe she just disappeared. I also cannot imagine that Heaven is just a place of clouds and gold streets. It is a perfect version of Earth, with sky and trees and water. Why not animals? And if God puts so much effort into making the unique things here, why not bring them to heaven when they are done here?
I choose rather to believe that Annie's spirit slipped simply and easily to God's realm, fulfilling her purpose on Earth, so she could help praise him with the rest of creation.
Forgive me if that sounds childish, but I would rather presume God's love is all-encompassing to his entire creation, and not just on us.
Whatever His plan is, I'm grateful to God for the 16 years we had her. We'll miss you very much, Annie.
yep...our pets are deeply tied to us. lewis has written alot on this. here's an interesting clip from the great divorce: lewis writes about a woman in heaven surrounded by a train of young children, angels, and - significantly - birds and beasts:
ReplyDelete‘What are all these animals? A cat - two cats - dozens of cats. And all those dogs ... why, I can’t count them. And the birds. And the horses.’
‘They are her beasts.’
‘Did she keep a sort of zoo? I mean, this is a bit too much.’
‘Every beast and bird that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves. And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over into them.’
my memories of my childhood dog, tozer and barney and our own family's hannah. deep emotion over their loss here. but knowing that if our joy will be complete in heaven...they'll "romp" with us there. praying for you!
Sorry for your loss, E! I don't think your thoughts are childish, at all. You have a more complex few of heaven than most.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about an eternity with no animals, I always come around to this Martin Luther quote because I feel the same way about my cat:
"If there is no laughter in heaven, I don't want to go there."
Romans 8 says that "creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." I think you're right on target, E - we can expect something much more full and exciting than just clouds and harps. Creation will be made new one day.
ReplyDeleteI was so sorry to hear about Annie - you have every right to grieve her, she was family.
We were walking through a beautiful neighborhood this evening and I saw some tufts of fur blown across the grass like someone had just brushed their dog in the yard. That was always so fun to do with Annie- brush her in the yard then watch the fur float away. I bet every bird in your county has a black fur nest with white trim. The most luxurious nests in all of Ohio, certainly.
ReplyDelete