Many of you know what it is like to lose a pet. Many of you know what it is like to lose a family member. Some of you may understand what it is like when you lose a pet that is more than just an animal, but a family member. Well, that’s what my wife and I are going through.
Friday morning our daughter Katie let our little dogs out to do their business…two came back inside, but one didn’t. When I got home from Atlanta Friday night, little Nugget was still nowhere to be found.
We enlisted the aid of neighbors and a couple of church members to help look. All of us drove around our entire neighborhood, calling, praying, and just hoping there would be some sign…but nothing. And now it’s Monday.
Nugget is a Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkie), and in a disturbing “coincidence” two other Yorkies are missing from our same part of town. Was he stolen? Will we find him for sale online? We are hoping.
But another possibility is that our little Nugget, a precious little dog we’ve had since October of 2009, when he was only 2 months old, was taken by a coyote. If that’s what happened, well…
You see, a coyote has been seen a couple of times around our house. One night just a week or so ago my wife and daughters came home, got out of the car, and found themselves being threatened by what they thought at first was a fox (they were wrong – it was much bigger than that). It was at that time Nugget, the bravest little dog you’ve ever seen – a dog whose chased off large dogs and dear – wasted no time tearing off after the coyote, running it out of the yard.
My fear is that the coyote showed back up early Friday morning and Nugget got into a fight he couldn’t win. If that’s the case, our little dog died a hero. And if I find that coyote, I’m going to give it a taste of multiple gut-shattering personal defense 9mm rounds. Yes, I will.
Nugget was such a good little dog. For example, he was always obedient and house trained. If we came to the stairs, either in the house or outside, Nugget would always stand and wait for us to go down first…he would never trip us. When offered treats along with the other two dogs, Nugget would always sit back away from them and patiently wait his turn.
“No, I don’t want a steak biscuit.”
Nugget loved to go for a ride. Many times on Saturdays I would go out to McDonald’s for a cup of coffee. Nugget knew where I was going and would insist to ride along. When I’d get to the drive through Nugget would stand on my leg, put his front paws and head out the window, and practically place his own order – chicken nuggets. And whenever we went to Chick-fil-A, his favorite was a small scoop of ice cream.
Nugget was the only one who would stay up late into the night with my wife during tax season. He would stay right with her, either by her feet or on a little bed she made on her desk. Wherever she would go he would follow. And, yes, he slept with us.
He didn’t shed. He rarely did anything that got him into trouble. He loved to run and be chased. He loved to be held. He thought of himself as more human than the other dogs, for toys were out of the question – he just wanted to be with us.
I know it may sound crazy, but losing Nugget, although not a human child, is almost as painful as losing a human loved one. Nugget was my “little boy.” Because we lived in a house with so many females, Nugget and I would have our “guy time.” Now my little buddy is gone, and there are tears in my eyes and a broken heart in my chest.
My wife and I both are very heartbroken.
Now, some of you may find all this ridiculous. I mean, Nugget was just an animal, right? Sure, but God has created us with the ability to show emotion, to grow attached, and even to love little animals that are so faithful. After all, it could be argued that the best earthly example of agape love is a faithful dog.
One year old in 2010.
Making a profile pic.
Christmas pajamas – for dogs, too.
Learned behavior? It was always MY pillow, too!
Jack and Nugget arguing about something, I know not what.
Running out to meet me as I got off the bus.
Always ready to play.
Waiting to place his order, Nugget would even expect chicken from the bank.
After all the other Easter Sunday family pics, Nugget got to be in one, too.
And, should you read this and think of yourself more spiritual than one who would be heartbroken over a dog, consider the following verses:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and [also] much cattle? – Jonah 4:11
A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel. – Proverbs 12:10
We will miss you, Nugget. You were the best.
Sleep well, buddy. You earned it.
The Recovering Legalist 
So sorry to hear about Nugget. My father has had three dogs in retirement and sometimes my mother says he has loved his pets more than her! He and a small Yorkshire terrier called Sam are part of life in their village as Dad and Sam do their regular daily walks. So I understand about Nugget and how you all feel.
Sad to hear about this. A similar situation happened to us many years ago. Our dog was almost twelve when he wandered off or was taken. I know how you feel and my prayers are with you.
So sad, I also know what it is like to lose a pet. I haven’t had one for several years because I know from experience my life would begin to revolve around this pet. Pets are so faithful. For sure, a godly person looks after their animals and treats them fairly. The pictures are great to see.
We’re being prepared for the kingdom of God in our day and loss seems to be a part of this preparation. At times our knees feel weak, but somehow in this weakness we receive strength from the Lord God when we call on him. This seems to be what God wants. His strength to become ours. It is a marvelous thing and wondrous in our eyes. Our life is loss, his life is gain. As we lose our own life in Christ, we gain his. Resurrection life. Hallelujah!
I’m preaching this morning, sorry.
Gosh I’m really sorry to hear this brother Anthony and I don’t find it the least silly. Our pets are surely given by God to put some joy in our lives.
I would be totally heart broken if something happened to my buddy Percy the Cat
Tony (or do you go by Anthony?) Ever since I read this last night, I have had you on my heart. And you were there this morning when I woke up. I grieve with you. And I’ve been thinking through this theologically. God has given us certain animals that can bond with humans – for our joy and theirs. Grief is normal and the right response. And you’re going to miss your friend deeply. And your remaining dog will too! Think about him and consider getting a new brother or sister one of these days. (we are cat lovers and have lived this too). And I was thinking of the Turkish families who lost children this weekend at the evil suicide terror at the wedding. Natural evil (coyotees) and human evil are supposed to upset up…and we should then be that upset if not more at the unrepentent sin in our lives and at the lostness of those who reject Christ. Just trying to put all t his together and make some sense. But know that I am praying for comfort for you. the Romans passage in 8:19-23 talks about all of creation longing for the day of redemption, too, when they will be set free from the bondage of slavery. I think of animals who will live MUCH better in the new creation.
Anthony, I am so sorry to hear about Nugget. We have lost 2 of our dear dog friends as well. One after just a few years and another after 14 years. It’s tough and heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Hugs and love to you all.
That is very sad. Praying that he will be found if he has been stolen. I don’t think there is anything wrong with your love for this dog as you obviously care about people too.
This is just awful and I know how you feel. I’ve lost 2 precious dogs over the past 5 years and one went quite tragically. To add insult to injury, one of my Aunts “went off” on me about dogs going to heaven and basically called me a heretic for thinking such. I’m a Liberal Christian……and I absolutely believe I will see my precious babies in heaven. I can’t possibly imagine a heaven that exists without our animals in it!
You’re a liberal Christian? You mean “liberalchristianweb” is a literal description? Who knew? 😉
Well, I can’t say one way or another about our pets being in heaven; there are strong arguments against it. However, on the other hand, there are the likes of C.S. Lewis who theorized that “named” pets might likely greet us in the heavenly kingdom. I don’t know. All I do know is that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for those who love Him, and one day He promises to return and receive us unto Himself. If our pets figure into that in some way, then fine – but seeing Him will certainly make Heaven all I can imagine.
I’m so sorry about your little dog. My Patches is 11 years and 8 months old and has been through an 8-month Journey with me, as we were both convicted from our apartment in April. We have shared the last 8 months together in homelessness, as well as finally ending up presently in an RV on the lake yeah, exactly renting to own the RV for only $700 a month! Ive had patches since he was 6 weeks old! My dog and I are so attached to one another, and I realize exactly where you’re coming from, as my dog, in my opinion is more loving, loving and affectionate than net human beings that I have ever known personally! throughout time, I have taught him so much of the English language both by way of commands and words, that he actually understands most of what I say to him! I’m so glad I taught him so much, because she is so much like a human, that I think of him more so as a child then I do a canine! When I encounter other people’s dogs, I think of them as dogs, but my dog is so special and different, due to the fact that we have been attached at the hip for so many years! Being bipolar and diagnosed as unemployable, I have been with my dog more 24/7 then anybody that I’ve ever known that has dogs! For the past 11 years and eight months, I have been with this dog everyday and for the most part 24/7! The only places I might have gone without him, is maybe to the Denny’s for a couple hours for coffee, or to the Walmart for an hour or two! I have been so fortunate to be disabled, because it’s gave me plenty of time 2 not only be with my dog oh, the majority of my life and his, for the past 11 years, almost 12, but if I had been working, I wouldn’t have had the time to spend so many hours a day 4 months studying for the ministry, that eventually becoming ordained! The three biggest blessings in my life have been my immediate family, my dog, and my Christian faith, mostly the ordination aspect of it! But my dog remains up there on the list so high that if and when anyting ever happens to him, I’ll probably come totally apart and I’m not sure hell I would handle it in the long run,! I have become so attached to my dog, being that he’s the only physical being in my life for the past several years! you are right to think of your dog as a child! Indeed they are!
Generis 2:7 and the Lord God formed man of the Dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and Man became a living soul! Genesis7:15 and they, ( the animals) went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of All Flesh, wherein is the Breath of Life! And argue with me all you want my studies as a pastor tells me that the Breath of Life is indeed the soul and scripture claims that all of the animals that went into the ark do indeed possess the Breath of Life