Forever . . .

​How can it be that eight years have passed by so quickly? It seems like yesterday that I was locking horns with Jamie about “Dad needs a dog.” After Kula’s passing away nine years ago, I was not eager to deal with “puppy stage.
 
As always, in matters with her dad, his little girl won. On Father’s Day eight years ago, Bubba Grump entered our lives. He was a Brindled Mastiff Ridgeback who, from the moment we laid eyes on him knew he would be Bill’s new sidekick. He went everywhere with Bill – even to work on many days.
 
Bubba went home to be with Jamie and Baby girl this last Monday. The vet had said he outlived his life expectancy, and we chose to do “comfort care” the last week he was with us. We took multiple trips to the river (the only water he would drink)—sure glad we had 20 hours of light, as he wanted to walk down almost hourly. He went for one last truck drive with Bill, head hanging out of the window, ears flapping away, his lonnng tongue hanging out, and of course, his slobber running down the truck doors. His last treat was on Monday morning when he and Bill made several loops around our 30 acres to Bubba’s favorite spots. When Bill helped him out of our Ranger, he stood and took his last breath. His way, His time. He was never in pain and was finally released to sweet Peace.
 
We were glad it wasn’t on Father’s Day or on the one year anniversary (Wednesday) of Jamie and Baby Girl going home. We are sure of one thing: ALL dogs go to Heaven.
 
How do I know that? Think about it: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads His flock (us.) In Psalm 23 it tells of Jesus leading the flock – which means from the front. Any good shepherd who leads from the front will make sure that he has two good sheep dogs who corral from the back of the flock, keeping the sheep safe, together and so not to lose any of the sheep. That means Jesus had two dogs – and we even know their names! One was Goodness and the other was Mercy – following us keeping us in the flock, all the day of our life.
 
So, as we walk to the river or take a walk around the back 30, we know Bubba’s looking down, making sure Goodness and Mercy are keeping us in the flock – safe and sound – just like he, Jamie and Baby Girl are in Heaven.