written by Teddy, Pastor Paul’s very good dog friend
And on the 9th Day, God looked down on his wide-eyed children and said they need a companion.
So God made a Dog.
God said I need somebody to wake up and give kisses, pee on a tree, sleep all day, wake up again, give more kisses, and then stay up ‘til midnight basking in the glow of a television set.
So God made a Dog.
God said I need somebody willing to sit, then stay, then roll over, then with no ego or complaint, dress in hats they do not need and costumes they do not understand. I need somebody who can break wind without a first thought tor second thought. Who can chase tails, sniff crotches, fetch sticks and lift spirits with a lick. Somebody no matter what you didn’t do, or couldn’t take, or didn’t win, or couldn’t make, will love you without judgment just the same.
So God made a Dog.
God said I need somebody strong enough to pull sleds and find bombs, yet gentle enough to love babies and lead the blind. Somebody who will spend all day on a couch with the resting head and supportive eyes to lift the spirits of a broken heart.
So God made a Dog.
It had to be somebody who would remain patient and loyal even through loneliness. Somebody to care, cuddle, snuggle and nuzzle, and cheer and charm and snore and slobber and eat the trash and chase the squirrels. Somebody who would bring a family together with the selflessness of an open heart. Somebody who would bark, and then pant, and then reply with the rapid wag of a tail when their best friend says let’s go for a ride in the car.
So God made a Dog.
God said I need somebody who would stand at your side when the world around you collapses. Somebody to lie next to you during the long nights of pain and sorrow when it hurts to move, or talk, or think, or be. Somebody to stand guard, play games, snore for hours, and repeat as needed. Somebody to give you strength when you have none of your own. Somebody to fight when you have no fight left, to hold onto your soul as if it were their favorite toy, playing tug of war to keep you in this world. Somebody to be your companion and guide in this world and the next. Somebody to wait for you on the other side or stand guard in your absence until they can join you for eternity.
So God made a Dog.
Credit: “So God Made a Dog. 90 Devotions for Dog People.”