DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE
A Goodbye Kiss
Jeff, my big white Golden Retriever, was a very empathetic boy. If he thought that I was upset, he would try to comfort me. He would paw me, lick my hand, or lay his head on my lap and gaze up at me with dark, soulful eyes. Sometimes I would even get a big, wet kiss. This was Jeff’s way of giving me a hug and showing me how much he cares, and I often saw him do this with others.
One day Jeff, Jesse [my red Golden Retriever] and I walked up to the Good Shepherd Home, so Jesse could visit her Hospice patient, Gladys. As we entered the building, “the cat” greeted us, took one long look at the giant dogs then ran for safety. “The cat” knew that Jesse considered cats, sort of like over-sized dog biscuits—snack food. We made our way down the long hallway, and we received a warm welcome from Gladys.
Gladys was very talkative, so I had to stay focused on the conversation. Many times, as patients would pet Jesse, they would share deep emotional joys or fears or concerns. This was one of those days for Gladys. About fifteen minutes into our conversation, I sensed that Jeff was not in the room any longer. I tied Jesse to Gladys’ bedpost and began searching for Jeff.
From down another hallway came a very distinct “ooh!” from a very large group of people. Oh no! Jeff! I humbly entered the room and saw Jeff sitting beside an older, bed-fast gentleman. About twenty folks were around his bed, crying and laughing and crying some more.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, as I attempted to retrieve Jeff.
”No! No,” they all chimed in at once. “You see, Dad knew he was dying and would see Jesus very soon. Then here came this big angel-dog who gently entered this room, walked quietly up to Dad, looked lovingly at him, and then planted a big, wet, sloppy kiss right on his lips. We all decided this was the best present Dad could have received before heaven’s gates opened to take him in. Thank you.”
My dogs seem to know that when someone is hurting the most important thing they could do is to be there. They don’t know what is wrong but that doesn’t stop them from reaching out. They just offer themselves.
The Bible tells us that John was like that. John kept watch with his Lord at the foot of the cross. He couldn’t take Christ’s pain away—but he was there. Neither our dogs nor our friends and loved ones can be with us constantly but God can.
Be there and care.
Blessings,
Dianne Hammontree
