Our Hope: When We Lose Our Pets

Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’  Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

Our older Boston Terrier, Ziggy, was my buddy, my pal, my companion.  He followed me around from a wee pup until yesterday morning.  He was 8 1/2 years old.  He was my boy.  The picture that accompanies this devotional is Ziggy in his prime.

Last evening, we learned unfortunate news while at the vet’s office.  Ziggy had a huge mass in his belly. We already had found one on his chest, under his arm.  But it only appeared early this week.  We had no idea it was cancer.  His lungs had metastatic changes too.  He would become weaker and weaker, and would always be tired, and would have difficulty breathing.  He might not have any pain, but he would not be comfortable most of the time.  I did not understand, as he had just had his yearly checkup two weeks ago.  He did fine.  His blood work was fine, his physical was fine. Everything was fine.

I cried out to my God, to Jesus, to the The Holy Spirit.  How could this happen?  How could our vet, a very Godly and kind man, stand there and tell me this?  Then I looked and saw the distress on his face.  I realized, this wasn’t about my husband and I, or Ziggy, or even the vet.  It was about how much we trusted God, how we reached out to Jesus in our times of need, how we faced the trials that He had told us would come.

Jesus was in that room.  I was not alone, nor was the vet, nor was dear Ziggy.  You see,  Jesus loves him more than I do.  And He was there to bring comfort, to make sure things were done in a way that He was glorified, and we were comforted.

While I was still shocked, heartbroken, shaken, my faith was not.  My faith rose up and I made this comment to the vet, ‘…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).  He understood what I was saying.  I was saying I trusted God to give me the strength to handle this.

I held my beloved little friend until he was sound asleep, then laid him on the table and went out with my husband while the vet administered the final injection.  Ziggy is now buried with Morgan, our dog who died in the same way a few years ago, and Miss Kitty, my cat who died of old age, soon after.

While I did not have the outcome I desired, I had the confirmation that God is still God, and Jesus did not leave me or forsake me.  He has brought comfort to me and my family, and to our wonderful veterinarian.  He also brought it to Ziggy, who I am confident of seeing once again when I arrive where he went last night.

Jesus is Our Hope, and He brings comfort when we need it, revelation when we seek answers, and peace when we accept God’s perfect plan.

Blessings!