Last month our Shih Tzu dog, Boomer, passed away. My wife and I cried and grieved painfully as we watched him die. As we reminisced about his 12-year journey with us, our tears flowed even more.
Boomer was special in many ways. We looked exhaustively for a puppy before we found Boomer. When we finally saw him, my wife, Anne, said, “I think we have found our dog.”
That began a journey filled with good memories. He delighted to lay on his back in my lap as I sat on the sofa and watched television. He and our other Shih Tzu, Sassy, always greeted me when I came home, regardless of the time.
We projected onto Boomer (aka, Boom Boom or Boomie) our human qualities. We had conversations with Boomer, and it was always amusing. I was a guest on Tony Beam’s radio program when he asked me what my next book project was. I told him on air that I was thinking about a title, “Conversations with Boomer.” When he asked what it was about, I told him it was about our “conversations” with our dog. I then had to explain what I meant. He quickly pivoted and moved on in our interview.
Boomer suffered during the last three weeks of his life. He had severe arthritis and a major flare up that left him without the ability to walk or even stand. I carried him in my arms whenever he needed something. He was examined by two different veterinarians, and both recommended “putting him down.” Not wanting him to suffer any longer, we took the vets’ advice. We stroked his head, looked into his eyes, and comforted him as he breathed his last breath. Our sweet boy was gone, and we cried and cried.
I thought about writing a tribute to him that would be titled, “Boomer: The Dog, the Myth, The Legend.” In short, we loved Boomer. Sassy is smaller than he was and has an attitude that matches her name. She will turn 12 in November.
I wanted to get another puppy after Boomer died, but Anne said no. I continued to look at the possibilities, knowing that she had to want another dog herself. On my birthday, she gave me a card with some money and a handwritten message inside: “You can put this toward a puppy.”
I immediately jumped into action — and within two days, we adopted a three-month old Shihpoo, who we named Buddy. He is a “designer dog,” bred from a Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle. He is a true bundle of energy — smart, playful, somewhat mischievous, and so good-looking. We are in the process of training him (or learning how he wants to train us). Sassy keeps him in line, and Buddy is quickly learning that she is the alpha dog at our house. I will admit that I am a dog man — and at my age now, I am a small dog man.
I would not dare say that dogs go to heaven, but I do recall a movie called, “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” Of course, it was not based on Scripture. For us, our dogs are a challenge, a blessing, and sometimes an annoyance — like some people.
Why would I take up this space to write about Boomer and our dogs? With all the sin, evil and destruction going on in the world today, I thought it might offer a distraction, some humor, or even encouragement for some of you.
Second Samuel 12 records the prophet Nathan telling King David a parable. Without going into the most important message in the parable, I wanted to share with you the description of a pet lover. Verse 3 says, “The poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom and was like a daughter to him.” In Nathan’s parable, there was also a rich man who had a “great many flocks and herds,” but he took the poor man’s pet and butchered it for a meal. When King David heard, he was furious. Most of us are, too, when we read the story.
Pets provide us with benefits we simply cannot calculate. We get so attached to them that when death takes them from us, we grieve.
Here’s to Boomer, gone but never forgotten — and to Buddy, who won’t let us forget him! And to Sassy, who helps us maintain discipline in our pack.
May blessings large and small come your way with or without a pet.