Shamed by a Dog

by Wayne Harmon

Fifteen years ago my oldest son found an abandoned puppy and took her home. Within a few days he discovered that this little black ball of fluff had contracted Canine Parvovirus (CPV). CPV kills dogs through dehydration as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea caused by the inflammation of the alimentary tract.

For several days my son stayed with this sick puppy, cleaning up after her and comforting her. He prayed, asking God for wisdom for himself and healing for his puppy. God sent a friend who told him to take the dog to the vet, and she would pick up the bill (Almost $500!). After a few days of being hospitalized and rehydrated with an IV, the puppy recovered and returned to my son’s home.

They had bonded in a special way during this ordeal. That was fifteen years ago. That little black ball of fluff turned out to be a black lab, husky, german shepherd mix; 100 lbs. of home security. Five years later my son attended a university about 1,000 miles away from home. My wife and I “inherited” his dog.

Late one December Friday night my son came home for Christmas break. Farren (meaning “wanderer”, an apt name for an abandoned puppy) was overjoyed at seeing him after a four month separation. She danced. She sang. She “hugged” him. She gave him “kisses”. She was ecstatic.

Later, after the “hellos” had all been made, and we settled into the conversation of “catching up”, I looked at Farren. Tears came to my eyes at what I saw. She was lying on the floor in front of my son just looking at him. She wasn’t trying to get his attention. She was just looking. Her big brown eyes were so full of love and adoration; shall I dare say Worship? Yes. She was sitting in quiet, loving worship of her Master.

Then, very quietly, very gently, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, without rebuke, but wistfully, “I wish you would look at me like that.”

Ouch. Shamed by a dog.

Two months ago an illness took Farren away from us.

She is greatly missed.

Copyright 2013 Wayne Harmon