by Greg Brooks
Angels walk among us, of that I have no doubt. Not with halos and gossamer wings, but with a cold wet nose and padded paws. These precious creatures steal our hearts, and give us unconditional love and devotion, asking nothing in return but to be our best friend.
Even those of us who are foolish enough to mistreat these gifts from God are still offered a lick on the hand and a forgiving look that says I love you.
We deceive ourselves into thinking that these poor defenseless creatures need us, to provide for them and make their lives more comfortable, and we open our hearts to them for the time they are here.
But when God calls them home, and we grieve for the friend that we have lost, and remember all of the good times that we shared, we finally realize that it was us who needed them. We recall the life lessons learned, and the understanding and compassion of a friend with whom we could share everything and know that no matter what we are loved.
The similarity in spelling between GOD and DOG seems less of a mystery to me now, and I feel certain that when I am called to cross the bridge of life my friend will be patiently waiting to walk me home.
In Loving Memory of
Sebastian
“Daddy’s Best Friend”
Gregory W. Brooks
2002