For The Love of Animals

Monday was a sad day for the McCrory family.  But, before I begin that story, I believe I must start from the beginning.

On Friday morning, my son let his dog, Precious out to go potty.  She had been running off and I asked him to go out with her.  He decided she would be fine.  Well, guess what?  She ran off.  She is DEATHLY afraid of thunder and when it started raining and thundering on Saturday, I expected to see her.  During the night, the temperatures dropped and I again expected to see her on Sunday before church.  But, no Precious.  Mid-morning, Monday, I went to get my backpack that had the syllabus from Caleb's classes so we could start on school before we went to the pantry.  Lying in the grass was a black lump- our black lab.  I called her name.  She didn't move.  My heart sank.  Oh my!  I can't tell Caleb.  I called her name again.  She lifted her head.  Oh, good!  "Come on, Precious!"  She usually comes at that, because it was bitterly cold and she would want to come in to warm up.  I had to go to her because something was going on.  As I got closer, I noticed a large wound in her neck.  Now, my heart started racing.  I had to call David.  What in the world are we going to do?  I couldn't take her to the vet- we didn't have the money.  We have too many other bills to pay a vet bill.  David and I decided to call animal control and surrender the dog.  They picked her up that afternoon.  We said good-bye to Precious. 

Why does God give us the ability to love animals more than we can take?  Why does it hurt as much as it does to lose a human?  They don't have a spirit.  I have often struggled with the fact that God made the animals, does He not have room in heaven for our furry friends?  I have read in scriptures where there are horses.  Are they literal or figurative?  I would love to know that those warm-blooded creatures that we love so much, who sleep with us and keep us warm, will someday be able to give us their wet, cold kisses as they only know how!  Only those of us who love our animals can understand what it's like to lose "one of our own".