Two Truths and a Hope: Goodbye, Jess Girl

 

Today, we say goodbye to our Jess Girl. We rescued Jess and she joined our family in May of 2015, and today, she leaves us.

Two Truths I Know With Absolute Certainty:

1. God cares about animals. In fact, God cares so much that he created every animal on Earth during days 5 and 6. And He saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:24) Then, when the humans of the Earth had become so wicked, God had Noah build an ark to save himself and his family...but also to save the animals. And two by two they came. Saved from the flood, saved from devastation. (Genesis 7) God cares about animals. And so therefore, God cares about Jess. And our girl is struggling. 

2. "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) We are brokenhearted today. And crushed that nothing more could be done to help Jess heal. We are devastated to make the decision to end a life, but honored to have been a part of Jess's these past nine years. The TRUTH is that God is near us. He will save us from this mourning. He always has, always does, and always will.

One Thing I Hope is True:

1. All dogs go to Heaven. Although the Bible does not clearly indicate that animals and pets go to Heaven, I am choosing to believe Jess Girl will be joining her friends soon. There are many four-legged friends that have gone to be with Jesus including our Rags; he taught her everything she knew. Together, they figured out how to open drawers and cupboards, climb tall enough to reach food off the table, and open a bottle of black paint to spill all over the rug. And, in turn, she passed along her knowledge to Miller; the two of them had quite a lot of adventures through our back fence into the neighborhoods surrounding ours. Miller is going to be sad and confused as to why the hole digging is now his job. He will also have to get faster to catch all those wascawwy wabbits alone. But Jess- She will be in Heaven. No pain, no itchiness, no hot spots, no infections, no sickness, and all the cheeseburgers (without pickles) that she could eat! She can ENJOY the grass! And roll around in the flowers. She will be more than fine. She will be HAPPY! 

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We gave Jess a "Yes Day" to say goodbye. The kids wanted to take her for a ride (She LOVED the car!) to McDonald's. For the past 9 years, her diet has been so restricted, that we wanted to let her enjoy a cheeseburger. (She has been known to "steal" these in the past and pull the pickles out.) We also got her a vanilla ice cream cone. We had a chance this weekend to cuddle, play, and tell her we love her.

Here is a video of Jess's Yes Day:

We love you baby girl. 

Thank you for loving us.

Thank you for the extra love when we are sick or sad. 

Thank you for the sweetest demeanor I have ever seen in a dog.

Thank you for your eyes that see into our hearts.

Thank you for playing with Miller.

Thank you for welcoming the neighbor dog when she sneaks over.

Thank you for being so welcoming with guests at parties.

Thank you for being such a good listener and obeyer.

Thank you for being smart enough to know that if we put our coats on, that means it's time for you to go to bed.

Thank you for barking to remind us that we left you outside.

Thank you for always coming home after your adventures.

Thank you for leaving the voles and rabbits. I know you thought they were nice gifts.

Thank you for sleeping under the desk at Patrick's feet.

Thank you for going straight to the tub without a fight when we say it's time for a bath.

Thank you for loving us.

We love you baby girl.