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| Saying Good-Bye to My Friend |
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I laid on the floor on a blanket next to my buddy Zagnut, all night last night. The end is near. He has gotten much worse in the last week, with the last 48 hours being especially bad. He fell down the steps twice, and off of the couch once. He is incontinent, especially after the last fall down the steps, because he doesn't seem to want to walk at all now. I knew the time was coming, but was hoping the Lord would take the decision out of my hands. I made the choice yesterday afternoon to put him to sleep today. It is not a decision that I take lightly, especially not with him. I've put it off for nine and a half weeks. Many would have put him down as soon as they got the diagnosis of one to three weeks to live from the vet. But God gave me nine and a half more weeks with him instead of three. I am so grateful. It still hurts though, boy does it hurt.
It was odd, or maybe I should say it was divine intervention, last night at our small group bible study. It started with a question about the book of Ecclessiastes 3:18-21. Our leader then referred us to Romans 8:19-23.
3:18 I said in my heart with regard to the sons of men that God is testing them to show them that they are but beasts. 3:19 For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts; for all is vanity. 3:20 All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. 3:21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth?
8:19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 8:20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; 8:21 because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; 8:23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. The question was raised about animals going to heaven. Our leader pointed out that Romans 8:19 says...creation (meaning all of creation), waits in eager expectaion for the sons of God to be revealed...verse 21, the creation itself (all creation) will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
The bible may not come out and say it. Like so many other verses in the bible, you have to dig deep to discover the meaning behind the words. But that last verse tells me that creation will be with God, and that means anything that God has created. Animals may not have a soul, but they also don't have the ability to understand the concept of Jesus...and they certainly cannot comprehend sin, therefore they cannot sin. They are like little children which God calls us to be. But I do believe they know God. I think that all living things intrinsically know God.
I may be saying good bye to Zagnut today, but someday I will see him in Heaven with my Lord, and he will be healthy and happy.
Thank you Lord Jesus, for the 12 years you have given me with this precious animal. I have been so blessed by his love and his personality. I'm not ready to say good bye, but unfortunately it is time. I would rather he died peacefully at home, but if I must take him to the vet to be put to sleep, give me the strength to do so. Why you gave him to me to care for, I don't know, but I am so glad that you did. I would not trade this heartache right now for all the time I have had with him. Give me strength Lord to do what must be done. Amen. |
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| To add a comment to "Saying Good-Bye to My Friend" |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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| Praying for you my dear friend. I know that losing something that you care for is never ever easy and I pray that during this time you will find comfort and hope, plus I know you will see your percious animal someday. |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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AWWW DEB I AM SOOOO. SORRY FOR YOU. I KNOW HOW IT HURTS TO LOSE THOSE LITTLE ONES FOR THEY TRUST YOU AND LOVE YOU UNCONDITONALLY....AND IT HURTS SO BAD TO LET THEM GO WHEN IT IS TIME.
PRAYING GOD WILL COMFORT YOU AND HELP YOU THROUGH THIS
BLESS YOU MY FRIEND. |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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| My thoughts and prayers are with you today Deb. I am so sorry that you are having to do what you must do...but yes, you WILL get to be reunited with that precious Zagnut one day. Stay focused on Jesus today....He will carry you. |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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How beautiful Deb, how loving our God is that He would show you this scripture at just the right moment. I believe as you do, you will be together again.... by and by. Pastor Aminata |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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Oh baby, I am so sorry. It hurts just like losing a child I know..
Had to watch my daughter scream out to God... Why God... Why PepperAnne. She was a good beagle, she was MY BABY. She was given to me on JESUS birthday. NO it hurts so bad mommy. and she sobbed... . It broke my heart. I think she was 7 or 8 then.
Then when we had Thomas O'Malley the Alley Cat..he actually figured out how to kill our third gerbal.. named Carly Rae... after she of course killed two others... they should never have baths in the winter... nor be dressed up in barbie clothes. Well Thomas that old siamese cat... he got tired of watching that rat run around in a ball all day and figured out how to eat off Carly's head... As she rebuked Tom and petted him ...she cried for Carly... Could not let her see that rats decapitated body... I think she was nine.
No matter if you are young or old... very old.. they are your bestest friends and KIDS.
Will be praying for you and your quick release of this heart wrenching pain
When God said: 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
I believe this means even the sparrows and the cats that might eat them. I also believe all dogs do go to heaven... EVEN potentially my dumb dog LUKE... who might get beat there if he doesn't leave alone my stinkin shoes...
Will be praying Deb...
xoxoxoxoxooxooooooxxxxx
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| August 06, 2008 |
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Oh, if I could hug you and hold you Deb I would. I can't imagine your hurt right now. I'm hurting with you.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
My Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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Aw honey
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| August 06, 2008 |
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| Deb, I am soooooo sorry. I am praying for you and for God's peace to surround you. I love you! |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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| My heart goes out to you my Sister! |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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Deb, I wish you could crawl up on my lap right now. I would rub your back ever so softly and stroke your hair, like I do with my daughters.
Animals are so precious, and I can tell how much you love Zagnut. I believe that God has a place for beloved friends. How could He not? I know that my Gus is with God, and I KNOW that I will be with him one day. God is so good, and so loving and merciful. |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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((( hugs ))) -- Loss, weather it be human or animal, emotional or physical, as long as we love them hurts just the same... God is near and he will look after this special creature of his creation. May God's Peace find you in this time... -- Jade |
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| August 06, 2008 |
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| I'm so sorry or the loss of your pet. May God's comfort surround you. |
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| August 07, 2008 |
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| Thanks for all of your kind comments. They offer so much comfort in this time. It means the world to me. Please read my next blog to see what happened yesterday. |
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| February 11, 2009 |
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| Looking over your blogs and I wanted to say I believe that animals will be with us when we are in heaven too. I can't prove it but it gives me comfort. |
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| February 12, 2009 |
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| higherground, thank you...I have to believe that I will see my buddy in heaven, and that he is up there now with Jesus keeping him company. |
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| February 13, 2009 |
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| Jewlz, I just went and read your blog. Wow, how wonderful it made me feel. Yes, I believe God loves me that much that He would not ask me to enter heaven without my best friend by my side. Beautiful blog. |
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