Tag Archives: losing a pet

Sunday Scriptures — Be God’s Hands and Feet

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

When I entered the vet’s office with Bear earlier this month, I saw a former co-worker sitting on one of the benches with tears in her eyes. Not a good sign in a place where you can walk in with a beloved pet, and leave by yourself. Been there too many times.

I walked over to Nicole, gave her a hug and asked what was wrong, pretty much knowing the answer. Her 19-year-old cat.

This is not a post about losing a pet. Nope. This is a post showing one more time how God is Sovereign. He is in control. He puts people in our path whom he wants us to interact with. It’s our choice whether we take him up on it or not.

I made the appointment for Bear’s annual exam the day before. The receptionist picked the time, not me. That day when I saw Nicole was the first time she’d been at my vet’s. She usually went to a different clinic. When I walked in she wasn’t in the exam room yet.

Coincidence? Hardly.

Nicole was called into the exam room as I paid for Bear’s check-up. I didn’t want to leave without knowing what happened to her cat, but also know sometimes it’s better not to have to face others when you are grieving the loss. So I decided to leave, praying for her as I went.

Just as I opened the car door and got Bear inside, Nicole came running out of the clinic. She threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder.

Her cat would be euthanized.

We talked a little bit until she felt more at peace with the very painful decision she had made moments earlier.

As I backed out of the parking lot, Mercy Me blared from my CD player…Greater is the one living inside of me, than he who is living in the world. He’s greater.

God showed up in that veterinarian clinic in a big way. He allowed me to be a part of his plan to comfort a child of his in her great time of distress at the loss of her cat. I’ve been in the same place where Nicole stood that day. Grieving the loss of a dear pet. No. A beloved family member.

Keep your eyes open. You never know how or when God may use you to be his hands and feet. When the opportunity arrives, step up.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (TLB)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sweet Kirby Brown Eyes

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

This past Saturday, we said good-bye to our 12-year, 11-month-old German Shepherd/Golden Retriever, Kirby, for the last time. We said our last “Good-bye”, without adding our usual, “We’ll be back soon.”

For those of you who have put an animal to sleep, you understand what an incredibly difficult, painful thing it is to do. You understand the tears. The sorrow. The hurt. The love.

Kirby was a real sweetheart. She faithfully watched Pilot drive off to work every morning, and was the first to greet him when he  returned in the evening. She was our protector. She guarded us day and night. She knew friend from foe.

Her death came at the hands of a quickly spreading, incurable, cancer. Her last days reduced Kirby to needing to be hand-fed by Pilot. Even in her pain, the cancer couldn’t keep her tail from wagging when she saw us approach.

Instead of remembering the cancer,  I choose to remember how Kirby captured my heart the first time I saw her at the pet adoption. We weren’t even looking to add another dog to the two we already had, but once I picked Kirby up, I refused to put her down until we walked out the store with her.

I choose to remember how Kirby strode into the house that very first day and established the fact she was alpha to her two unsuspecting brothers.

I choose to remember how smart Kirby was. How she  herded us to bed every night at precisely the exact time. No matter the seasonal time changes.

I choose to remember how her soft fur shone in the sunlight. How she looked when she found a mud puddle. And how she barely tolerated the introduction of a new puppy, Bear, into the family two years ago.

Kirby was a wonderful companion. We were privileged to share our home with her all these years. Although we wish there had been more good days for her, we are thankful for the almost 13 years we did have.

She will live on in our hearts.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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