A few days ago, one of my in-laws’ dogs disappeared. She was a 17 year-old Miniature Pincher named Tara. The prevailing theory is that she got eaten by some coyotes that have been active around their farm.
This episode got me thinking about the transience of life. One day your pet is there and the next they are gone without getting to say good-bye or go through the burial process. This can be applied to humans as well. One day, you kiss your loved one good-bye and then they never come home. I bet a lot of military families feel this pain.
The not knowing what happened would be the killer for me. I want to be there when my dogs breathe their last breath. I want to hold them and say good-bye until we are re-united in heaven (all dogs do go to heaven in my belief). I want to bury them in a special place where they can be remembered by my children. I want to know that they lived the best life possible with me.
This same feeling must be what drives those whose daughters or sons go missing and their body is never recovered. They want to know what happened so they can get closure. They want a special place for their body to rest in peace.
As the owner of aging dogs myself, this reality only becomes clearer with each passing day. As my dogs slow down and get greyer, I know that every day is special.
We need to apply these rules to our loved ones as well. It is very hard for us as humans to do so because none of us what to think that one day they may not be with us. One day they may walk out the door and never come back. One day the same will happen to ourself.
Each and every day counts and must not be taken for granted. Each day is a gift from God. We must use it to our best advantage–to fulfill our life’s purpose, cherish our loved ones, and live in a Godly way. We must help others and do the best we can given our circumstances. Life is precious. As Eckhart Tolle says, we must live in this moment because in the end that is all we really have.
