Guest Post by Author Nancy Lewis-Shelton
“For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the 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. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes
upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?”
Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 (NIV)
The gorgeous, three-year-old, multi-colored Sheltie could be stubborn. Her owner had installed a pet door, but Becca refused to use it. The dog loved to play fetch, but only on her terms. She knew the command “come,” but wouldn’t obey if she’d rather relax in the grass. However, when her owner attached a leash to Becca’s collar, she became obedient and eager to do her job as a therapy dog. Each time I arrived to pet-sit at her home, she showed enthusiasm by wagging her tail and giving me a doggy smile.
Becca was three years old when I last cared for her. One Saturday, she vomited, and by Sunday morning, she couldn’t walk. After she arrived at urgent care, the staff completed several tests but couldn’t determine the cause of her illness. They suggested she must have been poisoned, but that seemed impossible to me. Early, the following Monday, a worker carried Becca to my car. With tears rolling down my face, I stroked her head, wondering if she knew me. As I drove the dog to her own vet, emotions flooded me – anger, guilt, sadness. Had I done something wrong? I prayed Dr. Mike could save her, but, at two o’clock
that afternoon, he called to tell me she had passed. Laboratory results indicated the organs in her young body had been attacked by a rare form of fast-acting cancer. The vision of her still remains in my head, as does the memory of her beauty and uniqueness.
Today’s Bible question reminded me of Becca and also of my mother’s last days in a nursing home. She had fallen, and the staff refused to return her walker. Her only diagnosis was failure to thrive. What else could I have done to prolong her life?
When Mom still recognized me, she said that visitors had come to her room. I asked who and stood in amazement as I listened to her response. “Most of my sisters and brothers.” After she named them, she added, “My mother too.” I realized that the only ones she did not identify were one sister and one brother.
Was it a dream or what? I’ll never know the answer, but I did know then that she was ready to leave this world. I was able to address my conflicts and leave her in God’s hands.
The loss of a person or pet is difficult to understand, however, I know I did my best to care for both Becca and Mom at the time. Today, I’ve found peace, knowing how much love both of them gave to others while they were with us.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the love our family, friends, and pets give me. Guide me to treat all God’s creatures with kindness and return their love. If I make poor choices about caring for any of them, guide me to forgive myself and sweep away any guilt, knowing that you are in charge. Amen
Nancy Lewis-Shelton retired from public education after years as a classroom teacher and school counselor. Published work includes devotionals and fiction/non-fiction short stories for adults and children. Recent publications include two fiction novellas about Cookie, a pet sitter. Volunteer activities include: church senior choir, elementary school Reading Buddy (Council of Churches), and a local oral storytelling group. When she’s not writing or volunteering, you might find her digging in the garden, playing bridge, reading, enjoying events with her daughter’s family, or participating in activities with her pet therapy dog, Robin.
That was a very touching story, Nancy. Thank you for sharing.