Eight years ago I fell in love all over again, but not with my husband of twenty-three years. This was a new kind of love I found after we adopted our first dog.
It was a life changing event that was my husband’s idea after I retired. I resisted his suggestion. I didn’t want the extra work, nor did I want to get up early to take out a dog. I didn’t dislike dogs. But working long hours for many years, I just didn’t have the time for them. Over the years I’ve rescued many lost dogs I found on the side of the road, running in the street, or running around our neighborhood and reunited them with their owners. I thought it rather odd when their owners talked baby talk to them as if they were their human children.
After weeks of discussion, resistance, and prayer, I agreed to my husband’s request. We ended up adopting a three-year-old shih tzu and named her Fergie. I don’t remember how long it took me to fall in love with her, but I did. I treated her as if she was my own little baby. Every day I brushed her hair and fashioned it in bows I made for her. She even let me brush her teeth. We took her everywhere and let her sleep with us. She was the sweetest, gentlest, most chilled out dog we ever met. She slept late, rarely barked, and was no trouble at all.
I willingly got up early each summer morning to take her out before it got too hot since she hated the heat. It didn’t take me long before I was talking baby talk to her. I never had any human children, but I would have done anything for Fergie, as if she was my human child. After she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, we went to great lengths to save her life. Now she’s no longer with us and it’s still hard for me to talk about her without crying.
I’ve read stories of those who have visited heaven and returned. Some of them tell of seeing their pets while in heaven. I certainly hope that’s true.
Three weeks ago we adopted a nine-year-old shih tzu named Prissy. She was scared at first, not knowing why she is with us, but she’s settling in just fine. Soon she will realize that she is in her forever home.
When we accept God’s son, Jesus Christ, he adopts us, just like we adopted Fergie and Prissy. And God has prepared a forever home for us too, in heaven.
John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.”
I look forward to seeing my precious Fergie once again someday. Until then, we have a new love in our lives. All ten pounds of her.
Mary Therese Hutchinson 