Hershey
I am sad today.
I just spoke with my brother and learned that their 13-yr old border collie passed away in the night. Her name was Hershey and she was an awesome dog. Sweet, loyal and brilliantly intelligent as only border collies can be.
I know it’s not unusual to say this, but my family has always had a strong attachment to its dogs and Hershey was a particular favorite among all of us. It was heart wrenching to listen to my brother express his grief for an animal that was definitely an integral part of their family. My brother’s kids, two sons and a daughter, have not heard this news as I write this. It will be terrible for them too.
St. Thomas Aquinas, I believe, said that all living things have a soul, but only humans have eternal souls. It comes from our unique relationship with God and that we were made in His image. That is an awesome gift that we all fail to fully appreciate.
Perhaps there is still a special place in heaven for those animals that touch our lives. It is obvious that they have touched our souls at least as much as we have touched theirs.
Bye-bye Hershey.
Oh, I’m sorry — I know how special pets are, and especially how noble and faithful dogs are. They are a perfect example of unconditional love in our lives.
There’s a saying that I’m often reminded of. “Be the kind of person your dog already thinks you are.”
How much better the world would be if we could really do that.