Condolences. I know your grays mean a lot to you.
I've said it several times, but I think it's true. If there is a benevolent creator whom we are made in his image, I can think of no greater proof of his unconditional love than the existence of dogs.
He put all of the best stuff in our furry friends. The average dog is usually a better person than the best of humans. He gave them loyalty, undeserved love and affection, the ability to read our moods; to know exactly when we've had the kind of day where nothing short of an understanding dog head in our lap will fix it. They teach us that some times, there really isn't anything better than rolling in the dirt and looking up at the sky for no particular reason as a warm spring breeze cools our bellies.
Perhaps, they are a mirror to us of how God views man. We bring them into our homes at all stages of our lives (both us and the dog). We rear them from pups, take them in when they are old and have nowhere to go, find them sitting begging at our back door, ferociously rescue them from the absolute demons who purposely do them harm. We view them as children, as best friends, as brothers of the same mind. We stand over them and give them and they under us in a protective bond that will last as long as either of us lives. It's an everyday, common place, humdrum thing, the love of a dog. But when you think about it, isn't it powerful?
I am not a good enough man to deserve the love and loyalty that my dog bestows upon me. I am grateful for the times I have with all of my four legged companions. And, I honestly believe if there is a Pearly set of Gates where man must shuffle up, hat in hand, and atone beg and plead his case as to why he is worthy of eternal paradise; there is a doggie door where even the most average of mutts can saunter up, wriggle through, and spend the next billion years chasing just-slow-enough rabbits and rolling in St. Pete's bacon scented flower garden.
We'll all meet again one day. Is there any more heartening thought about a long life filled with many dogs than the absolute pack of mutts waiting to dog pile you as soon as you step through the Next Door?
Smoke up for Blue.
