Our Furry Children

We are a family who loves dogs. I guess that's no secret to those who know us. We talk to them, we see to their needs before our own. They sleep in our bed and usually end up taking more space than we do in the bed. If they ask to go outside ten times in an hour, we get up and take them out. They don't spend their days outside tied to a dog house. They have a huge fenced in yard to run around in and they have squeeky toys and fresh bones on a regular basis. They sleep during the day on the furniture and if they are chilled we cover them up with blankets. We buy them the best dog food we can and they have regular vet check ups. Our dogs are loved and and appreciated. They are part of the family. 

You might be reading this and thinking 'good grief, they are a strange family' and if you are that's okay. We probably are. But for as strange as we are towards our dogs I can probably show you someone else who is much stranger in regards to their pets but that's up to them.

Our dogs give us unconditional love. They would love us even if we didn't treat them like kings. If we ignored them, they'd still wag their tails when they saw us coming towards them. But we don't ignore them because we love them. They're the best company you could ever ask for. They listen and they are devoted to us. It is a two way relationship. 

Scientists say that all dogs came from wolves who were domesticated. Maybe they're right, I don't know. But what doesn't change is that there is no closer bond between man and animal than that of man with dog. Dogs have become part of our lives and I know for sure that our dogs couldn't possibly survive in the wild as their ancestors might have. They depend on us for everything, not just food and shelter, but love and companionship too. 

A dog can die of a broken heart when its owner dies. It has been known to happen. One of the most well known examples of this love was Greyfriar's Bobby. According to Wikipedia 

"The best known version of the story is that Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a night watchman. When John Gray died he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, in Edinburgh. Bobby then became known locally, spending the rest of his life sitting on his master's grave. 

Bobby is said to have sat by the grave for 14 years.

Bobby died in 1872 and was buried just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray's grave.

A year later, Lady Burdett-Coutts had a statue and fountain erected at the southern end of the George IV Bridge to commemorate him."

So what about our broken heart when they die? We're almost ashamed to tell people how much our heart hurts at our loss. Unless those around you have had that love with their own dog, then no one can understand the depth of grief that washes over you.

If you have lost a four- legged loved one let me encourage you by telling you that God understands. He understands that close bond as no one else can. God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David who had sinned with Bathsheba. Nathan used an illustration to prove God's point. 

 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said,
  “There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
“The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.
“But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb
  Which he bought and nourished;
  And it grew up together with him and his children.
  It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom,
  And was like a daughter to him. 2 Samuel 12:1-3

God understands the love we have towards His creatures. He gave these creatures to us not just for food but according to these scriptures, for our companionship as well. God knows and understands that we love our furry children. I believe that God wants us to live in harmony with all His creatures. I believe that He is pleased when we do. He tells us in His Word that the 'righteous man cares for the needs of his animals" (Proverbs 12:10). And in Genesis Adam is told that he has dominion over the animals, which meant that he was to care for them. (Genesis 1:26). 

God knew that man would have a close relationship with His other creatures and I believe He chose the closest relationship to be with the dog. We care for them, as we should, and they care for us. It has been scientifically proven that people who own pets have longer lives and lower blood pressure and lower stress levels. Those are just some of the benefits of this wonderful relationship.

So if you love your furry child, do so proudly and when you lose them, mourn them unashamedly because God does understand. Pets are one of the gifts He has blessed us with. Thank you Lord.