Beagle bays and flowers in May

His passing ushered in cherished memories to comfort our minds as tears fell aimlessly. His pictures displayed brought smiles and stories of all the years he loyally stood by us. Each day we miss his antics and how they impacted us.

Like us, I believe each dog has a story and our beagle left his tracks in mine. Conscious of every emotion and occurrence in our house, his doggy dance lead the way during life’s experiences. He had a nose for barbecue’s and was quite the social butterfly at the parties. He was quick to attention when fresh snow fell and hunting gear came out for rabbit season. In tune to our heart, he licked away tears a sadness when life dealt us hard blows. A worried eye held watch as he tended to us when we lay in bed with sickness or pain. Always on alert, he stood his ground when something was amiss. Skunk in the area, wandering stray cat going by, someone at the door- nothing could get by this beagle.

15 years we shared our life with this personality. At our best and our worst, he loved us unconditionally. If he could have talked, what would he say? He was an opinionated dog, so I am positive one thing he would convey is he did not require the amount of baths he received.

Now as the May flowers are popping up, my mind finds itself reminded of springs gone by with him trampling through the flowers and trying to mark his territory on the herbs. Ugh, that mischievous dog. I did outsmart him by removing some flowers, inserting shrubs instead and transplanting herbs to pretty pots. Ha Ha – he could no longer hinder their beauty or aroma! Or maybe he outsmarted me, they were rabbit resistant plants…

For me, time has not healed the grief of saying goodbye to our furry family member, but the Holy Spirit has been revealing to me what healing brings. And in many ways, it has been things I observed in my beagle’s life all along.

Life is rich with collections of celebrations; embrace them.

Awareness to live in the moment because they pass as quick as a rabbit’s leap.

Rest. It is okay to take time and rest. Our dog slept about 20 hours a day and still left an impact on his world.

Follow your dreams because they were placed there for a purpose. Rabbits, writing or whatever it may be -its all by God’s design.

Obedience is hard, but it will keep you safe where you belong.

Jump in the vehicle and go on adventures.

Persistence is key in capturing your heart’s desire. Do not give up, you never know what may be around the bend.

Stand up for what you believe in.

Extend Grace because its not always about you.

In the end, the only thing that ever mattered is loving others with all you have. Love sustains us all.

And love is all we have left for our beagle who taught us much about life.