New canine brings unexpected blessing
By Bishop Woodie W. White
My wife and I now have a dog. Our daughters decided that in retirement we needed some new venture, something to keep us occupied and engaged daily. I protested! The last thing I need is a dog, I assured them.
I've already had three dogs. I've raised five children. Forty-five years of ministry were capped by serving two United Methodist episcopal areas that included four annual conferences and some 2,500 congregations. I don't want to be responsible for anyone or anything. No dog for this retired bishop.
But some weeks ago, when our youngest daughter moved to Atlanta, she brought with her a gift to us from our oldest daughter. A dog! What is more incredible, my wife Kim apparently had some complicity in the matter.
"Buddy" is a five-month-old puggle, a mixture of beagle and pug. He is what many people call a "lap dog," because even at full size he is no larger than a puppy and will fit easily in your lap. Buddy has big, sad eyes and is described by all who encounter him as "cute." But he is still a dog! Dog ownership was nowhere in my retirement planning.
I recall a heartwrenching experience some years ago. Our daughter loves animals, and at one time she had a dog, cat and four birds. Her beloved dog, "Dee O Gee," became ill and it was clear his illness was terminal. Our daughter was devastated.
The dog's condition slowly worsened, despite many visits to the veterinarian. Our daughter could not face the inevitable. She simply could not bring herself to take her beloved companion to be "put to sleep."
Finally, one Saturday morning she called and asked if I would go with her to take Dee O Gee to the local pet cemetery that cares for dying animals. It was a long, silent drive. As we walked to the office, my daughter carrying Dee O Gee, she suddenly screamed, "Dad, Dee O Gee just died!"
Crying uncontrollably, she clutched her lifeless friend and we proceeded to the office. There we said farewell, hugging each other and weeping as the proprietor read a moving poem:
There was in our home, this small Furry Friend,
Who didn't ask to come into our lives,
Who didn't require much help or care,
Who didn't cost us anything but a little food,
Who only asked for some of our love and attention.
This friend was one of our family,
A most important part of our lives.
He is sadly missed. But we are so much the better
For his having shared his life with us.
We can think of nothing, and perhaps
No one, who better taught us
To give and receive love openly,
Unselfishly and unashamedly,
As this one small Furry Friend.
I knew I never wanted to have this experience again. But now we have a dog!
A few nights ago, I sat in my favorite chair, enjoying the solitude. I was listening to a rendering of Mozart's Trumpet Concerto in D-Major, Allegro Moderato, by the jazz and classical trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Buddy jumped into my lap and snuggled his little body close to mine. He looked at me with those big, sad eyes, and seemed to say, "Thanks for loving me. I love you, too!"
I then did what every pet owner understands, and what those who are not, don't. I began to talk to Buddy.
On that quiet winter night, I recognized again the generosity of God. God gives us so very much to bring joy into our lives. Even little creatures who do not speak, but who know and share the language of love.
Now we have a dog. Thanks God, for the blessing!
Copyright 2006 United Methodist Reporter. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Retired United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White currently serves as bishop-in-resident at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Ga.