As of last week, we experienced a loss in our family. We had to put down our family dog Cookie. She was a sun-ray of joy to all of us. If you ever have lost a pet, you know, that it is like losing a family member. One interesting story I’d like to share with you is of her last day. As hard as it seems to write, it is always good to release the pain to heal.

My wife and I left after our final goodbye of Cookie. Our crying turned into laughter. We re-lived sweet and funny memories. We remembered how she always loved chasing ducks at our favorite duck pond. Next, we agreed to take one more walk around that same duck pond. As we were driving, my wife leaned over and shared an idea. She told me that in her mind she could see Cookie with God. She began to wonder. Along the way to Heaven, God let Cookie stop at the same duck pond to chase and catch one more duck, one last time. We laughed until we cried again. Finally, she said it would be if the event became true: finding a dead duck at the pond. We arrived at the famous duck pond. Got out the car and walked down the path. The graveled walking trail led the way to the waters. The hills had a misty, yet green appearance. The wind was billowing across the lake. Children were off playing in the distance. Down between the grassy banks, in the middle of an open space, guess what we saw? A dead duck.

I went down to confirm the site. Sure enough, it was a dead duck. It looked about two days old, but it was the real deal. Heather and I were astounded. Cookie finally got her duck. I don't know about you, but we were amazed not just at the sighting of the duck alone. We were stunned at what Heather verbalized earlier from the car ride. Either way, we both got what we loved. A duck and a wealth full of sweet memories to last a lifetime. Now she is home free. It’s a weird way to view life through the lenses of a dog. When we do, we can see that there are only the simple things in life that become more important than the rest. When we set our minds on being Home with the Lord and being Free in Christ - there is nothing better.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” (2 Corinthians 5:8).