Friday, June 5, 2015
Duke
I was blowing the dust off of some of my Grandma's old photo
albums the other day and looking at pictures of that little boy I used to be.
One in particular caught my eye. I was smiling, sitting in a corner chair by an
old bookcase, hugging my best friend in the whole world. That friend was my
dog, Duke.
Duke was a strange name for such a little dog. He couldn't
have weighed more than 20 lbs. He was a mixed breed with a light brown coat. He
had long legs with white paws and a white stripe that ran up his nose and head.
He was my constant companion from the moment I could walk until I was ten years
old. He curled up with me in that chair when I read books.
When I went outside to play cowboy he would herd our cats up
the trees and then walk off looking proud of himself. When He was hungry he
would carry his food dish in his mouth and drop it at my Mom's feet. He would
sleep on top of my bed covers at night and when I had the mumps he refused to leave
my bed until I got better.
I learned a lot from Duke over the years too. I learned a
nap in the middle of the afternoon could be good for you. I learned that
sometimes you need to growl a little to get your point across. I learned that
you can never give or get too many hugs and kisses. I learned that the simplest
dinner can be delicious when you eat it with gusto. I learned that life can be
good when lived with love and joy.
Sadly, I also learned that life in this world is short
especially if you are a dog. I lost Duke Way too soon in my young life. Being
an adventurous soul, Duke would often let his nose lead him away from home.
Usually he would return days later hungry and exhausted. When I was ten,
however, he went off one day and never returned. I cried and my Dad and I went
on long walks searching for him but to no avail.
Since I lost Duke I have had many dogs in my life. All of
them have been special. All of them have been unique. All of them have taught
me to open my heart and love more. I hope to see them all again one day in
Heaven. I would like to ask God too why our dogs' lives here are so short and
ours so long.
I think maybe that I do know at least part of the answer. If
one of the reasons we are here is to learn how to love then our best teachers
certainly wouldn't need to be here as long as we would. May you learn much,
love well, and live your live with the heart of a dog.
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