Sad Goodbyes

Monday night we had to say goodbye to a precious part of our family. Ginger, our dog of almost 12 years passed away. We found a beautiful place in the yard to lay her to rest. We miss her so terribly but are at peace with the fact that she is no longer in pain.

God summoned a beast from the field and he said, "Behold man, created in my own image. Therefore, adore him. You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go...even into civilization. You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave.

To do these things, God said, I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beasts. Faithfulness, Devotion and Understanding surpassing those of man himself. Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death. Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words. Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of man with any other beast or even man with man. Speak to your master only with your mind and through your honest eyes. Walk by his side, sleep in his doorway, forage for him, ward off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions, love him and comfort him.

And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants, which shall only be food, shelter and affection. So be silent and be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils along the way to the land that I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality."

So sayeth the Lord, and the dog heard and was content.

Sadly, we also lost a family member this night as well. Ginger will be greeted with a batch of chocolate gravy prepared by my great-aunt Pearl who decided it was time to go "home" at the age of 98. She, too, will be greatly missed.