4534
Pt. 1
I wrote about the following experiences in my book, "A Man's Tribute to His Devoted Dogs."
During the course of my almost 80 years on this planet, I have been blessed to have eight dogs, two cats, and a monkey, (yes, a monkey), in my life; the first, a cocker spaniel named Princess, a full 70 years ago.
I might tell you "right off the bat," I am unashamedly convinced that believers will see their dearly departed pets again. There are various verses in the Old and New Testaments which infer "they are," (present tense), and not "they were," (past tense). Obviously, if this belief is true, like many who have gone before us, they have simply changed locations.
Did I say I am convinced we will see our dearly departed pets again, (with the implication we will have to wait 'til we go on to our reward)? Well, yes that was my implication. However, (and it is a big "however"), I am more convinced than ever at this juncture that we may see some of them again on this side of eternity!
Now to be sure, more often than not, I have not.
I can't account for it, but among the eight animals which have already gone on to their reward, the two which apparently qualified for post-mortem appearances were both shih tzu's. Allow me to share my experiences related to one of those two precious pooches with you. (I have written about this little gal before, so I won't attempt to summarize her 11 far too brief years here).
Buddy, (yes, we gave her a male name), was nothing short of special. I have often referred to her as, "Dog on a Mission," since again and again, she personified empathy; (and each example was a story in itself).
Pt. 2
Again, "long story short," but Buddy had severe allergies, and would have literally scratched her eyes out had she not been prescribed steroidal medication. Ultimately, the recurring administration of this medication, over the course of a decade, shortened her life. Thankfully, she left us naturally, and during the course of one very difficult night.
It was after she left us that things, (some very strange, but, ultimately, very good things), began to happen.
Shortly after Buddy's passing, I laid down for the night. Suddenly, I sensed a weight against my shoulder, and then the sound of breathing. In, out. In, out. In, out. As a small dog might breathe.
It is important to mention here that Buddy regularly slept on a pillow at the end of my bed. And I can tell you it was the same night, or perhaps the next that, well, the next thing happened. As I was lying there in the darkness of my bedroom, something tangible, something weighty lay against my feet. I saw nothing. I felt something. As with the first manifestation, I didn't want that something to end.
One evening, several weeks after Buddy went on to her reward, I was walking in my neighborhood, and approaching my home. And I found myself thinking about Buddy. Suddenly, a small white dog appeared, and crossed in front of me. Now, she walked into my neighbor's front yard. Three or four steps, and... Nothing. Nada. Zip. She was gone!
Pt. 3
Buddy passed in 2006, and all of the experiences which I have recounted, above, occurred the same year.
Fast forward 14 years.
I was convinced that my little Buddy was enjoying the comforts and beauty of heaven by now, (and, no doubt, she was). However...
This far along I was serving as the staff counselor for a residential program for previously incarcerated women. One day, as I was sitting alone at a table where we did our group work, I sensed...
two little paws resting against my right leg.
As you might imagine, I looked downward, and...
there was nothing there.
Tears immediately sprang to my eyes. I knew. I just knew!
And with this, I uttered three words.
"Hello again, Buddy!"
(I think I would have spoken those words aloud, even if others had been sitting there with me).
Post-script
Mark Lowry, the Gospel singer and comedian, (who once walked past me at a university event at which he was speaking), sometimes wears a t-shirt with a large scripture reference printed on the front.
PSALM 36:6
("You, oh Lord, preserve both mankind and animals, alike").
He believes, (as do I), that our dearly departed pooches, cats, parrots, goldfish, etc. etc. will precede us, and we will meet them again one day.
Well before I came across Mark Lowry's philosophy, and the shirt which espouses it, I made a practice of looking at my pet pooches, and saying,
"I claim you for heaven!"
(As if doing so would somehow assure I would see them again).
Now, to be sure, I am not prepared to say whether Buddy's spirit returned to comfort me those multiplied times, or not. However, I am convinced that, at the very least, God exercised His grace, and allowed me to perceive Buddy's presence; (and that is more than sufficient for me).
Allow me to conclude this little thesis with a quotation from the back cover of my little volume, "A Man's Tribute to His Devoted Dogs," which speaks to our wherewithal to enjoy our beloved pets...forevermore.
"But perhaps our Savior will smile, and beckon with His hand, as if to say,
'Well, Bill, there they are! What are you waiting for? There are fields, and flowers, and trees aplenty. Go for it! Romp and run and carry on. Love those wonderful little puppies of yours for all you're worth.'
"And with this, I'll turn and my most favorite creatures will be looking at me expectantly, eyes shining, ears twitching, and tails wagging. And with this, my heart will skip a few beats, and I will scoop them up into my arms, and they will rest contentedly my shoulders. And best of all we'll remember one another, and the love we knew will be undimmed, and stronger for the years we were apart."
by Bill McDonald, PhD
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