Wednesday, August 9, 2023

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small…They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it.    You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied. (Psalm 104: 24 -25, 27 -28, New Living Translation)

                 It has been said that if dogs don’t go to heaven, then I want to go where they go.

                Late in July, we finally had to say good-bye to our beloved, nearly 16-year-old Aussie, Charlie. He had become greatly infirmed. Age had finally caught up to him. His quality of life was negligible. It was tough to let him go but it was time.  

                Charlie was one of the smartest dogs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was quick to learn and once he learned, he didn’t forget. He loved his family loyally, even if he never cottoned to strangers. I am not sure why he didn’t like small children but he was always suspicious of their ulterior motives. He loved to lay in the snow for extended periods of time. He was a dog of routines. He could be stubborn. His suppers were a can of dog food, kibble with some shredded cheese on top – in that order, thank you very much. He loved it when he would go to pick up Susan from work – always the first one to the door at the right time. He was a fixture in our front hall foyer. I miss him lifting up his head as I pass by, wondering if I was going to get something to eat as he was a big mooch, especially french fries. The house just isn’t the same without him.

                Now to be honest, I really don’t know about the theological validity whether our pets get to heaven or not. My earthly self says that it wouldn’t be heaven without something furry and wanting a belly rub.

                But I am encouraged how scripture reminds us that all creatures, both great and small, are under God’s tender loving care. “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.” John Rutter’s anthem, using those words, is one of my favourites. From the beginning of Creation, God has given us a plethora of beautiful creatures to fill our world, some of which give us  the unique pleasure to be engaged in a personal relationship. We’ve had dogs, cats, birds, and Guinea pigs. It creates sorrow when we lose them, but far more joy in having them as part of our lives. Maybe, that is how God feels about his creatures, the gracious joy in having them as a part of his Creation Story.

                As we observe the interaction between God’s creatures and himself, we are reminded that God’s same loving diligence extends to us, creatures of a different sort perhaps, but still part of God’s abundant Creation Story. Birds of the air, sparrows under the eaves of God’s temple, lost lambs, etc. – all remind us that God seeks for our good and well-being. He will watch over us like a “bird protecting its nest.” (Isaiah 31:5, NLT)           

“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.” (Psalm 8:7, NLT)

So, just in case, I hope - see you later, Charlie.

 Dale