By Cammie Fulk
Last August I introduced you to one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known, Bentley Ruth also known as Bennie Blue and Blue for her beautiful blue eyes. It is with great sorrow that I write this month’s article. Bentley died in my arms Tuesday evening. We don’t know the cause. She was playing with my grandsons on Saturday, running around with Briar and Branch pretending to be a Labrador and bringing the ball back when someone threw it. On Sunday evening she didn’t eat all her food, but for Bennie that wasn’t unusual. I tend to add too many goodies to their food. But her appetite decreased on Monday and Tuesday. I thought it was her allergies acting up because the guys had made hay in the field in front of our house.
Bennie had severe allergies that required daily medication. NowBennie may not have been the smartest dog in the world, but she was smart enough to know that even with pill pockets she could eat the good stuff and spit out the pill. Nothing worked, not even cheese, sliced meat or peanut butter. The only way to get her daily dose of meds into her was to grind them and put them on her banana in her food bowl. She loved bananas, but on Tuesday she wouldn’t even eat a banana. We though the problem was allergy related…but then Tuesday evening, she got really sick and began struggling for breath. I rushed her to the emergency vet in Verona.
On the way to Verona she got weaker and weaker. My prayer to the Lord was that if she was going to die, please let her die with me in the car instead of in a vet’s office. She loved to ride! If we left a car door open, we could count on Bennie being in it waiting to go along. She was not too crazy about a vet’s office but didn’t mind Dr. Street’s too much, but the Verona office was not a place she was comfortable in.
For those of you who don’t know me well, let me just say that I talk to the Lord about everything…and I do mean everything. I firmly believe if we look, we can see Him in everything we do. He doesn’t always give me the answer I’m looking for, but He does give me the one that is best for me. I may not always realize it’s what’s best for me, but He knows and in time if I look, I can see that He was right.
I went to Verona by way of Interstate 81. As I was leaving, Ronnie reminded me to check the traffic to make sure 81 was clear. I did, and I saw that there was a traffic backup of one mile near Staunton. Well, Verona is more than a mile from Staunton, so I took 81. As I got closer to Verona, I realized that perhaps the back-up had grown. It was now a five-mile back-up, and I was in it. When we finally got to Verona and I pulled into the Emergency Veterinary parking lot, I called the office and told them that I was in the car with Bennie, but I was not going to leave her alone. The young lady on the phone completely understood. She took all the information about Bennie and what was going on, and told me she would send someone out to triage her when someone was available. I completely understood. I continued praying for whatever was best for Bennie. As I sat with her, talking to her, rubbing her cuddling her, I knew her time had come. She died in my arms and in one of her favorite places, my old Pontiac on the front seat with her head on my lap. I realized God had answered my prayer. The traffic back-up, the busy vet, the sickness getting worse after her vet had closed…those were tools that the Lord used. I just had to stop and look to see Him in the midst. Of course, I sat there and bawled like a baby and tears are running down my face as I write this article.
With Bennie’s death the great debate came up again. Do our pets go to Heaven and will I see them again. I’ve shared my belief that dogs are just angels sent to us when we need them. They love us unconditionally. They are not evil. Only because of man’s corruption of them do they ever harm others. I decided to do some research. After hours of reading passages in the Bible relating to the topic and reading about and discussing it with trusted Biblical scholars, I’ve concluded that there is support from the Bible for both opinions-yes, dogs do go to heaven, and no, dogs do not go to heaven. My belief won’t change. My hope is that the love I have for them and theirs for me lives on, and that all the pain and suffering is gone for them. They too have new healthy bodies and hearts filled with love.
I guess this month’s tip is to love them while you have them. Yes, you will grieve when they pass, but the love they gave will remain in your heart and when they come to mind that love blossoms again. I do and will miss my happy-faced, bunny-butt girl that lived longer than anyone could have hoped with only 70% of one lung functioning and severe allergies. I will continue to miss her, but I will always have the love that she gave me.
Every time I eat a banana, I’ll remember my sweet, sweet girl. She was indeed a very special girl that I thank God for sharing her with me for a little while.
Love them while you can.
Until Next Time…
Stay Paws-ative and enjoy your best friend!
Happy Tails to You!
Cammie
