I Am Chosen

I remember the day well.  We were on a quest to find the perfect pet for Maddie.   She just wanted a puppy to love and love her back so badly.  I had spent hours searching for just the perfect one that would be a companion pet and do well with little children, small in size, and non- shedding.  I felt as if my list of criteria was limiting me and would keep us from finding the perfect puppy.  However, that was not the case.  We had found a breeder and were in the car on the way to check things out in person. 

The kennel was clean and the little cage had three adorable pups.   I put my hand down inside to let the one we’d chosen for Maddie to sniff me, and all of a sudden this little black fuzz ball bounded over her siblings to kiss my hand and greet me.  I couldn’t resist and pulled her up and then she woofed at me.  She chose me.  I believe that today more than ever.  Now I know some of you would say she’d have done that no matter who’d have stuck their hand down in that cage, but I disagree.  It was all in the way she woofed….she chose me.  I had to convince Brad of that, and it took a little time, but a few weeks later we brought TWO puppies home.   It was wonderful.   I was hers and she was mine and we loved one another.   Macie Claire brought us so much laughter and enjoyment.  She was so full of energy and was known to steal socks and run off with them. 



Macie's "come adopt me" picture.

Fast forward to about two weeks ago.  Macie started to act different.  She was quieter and slept more.  She started eating less.  We took her in to the vet and discovered she had a rare autoimmune condition that attacked her red blood cells.  We treated her the best we could, but yesterday her levels dropped to a dangerous level where her organs were going to start shutting down.  It was time to make a tremendously difficult decision.  She had no energy to eat or even to stand up anymore.  In the last week she didn’t even have the energy to hop up on our bed.  Even though we knew it was time, I have to admit it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  After all, she chose me and I loved her so.

 


Gracie and Macie last June

In the last few days I have spent time trying to figure out what in the world we were going to tell our children and even looked up on the internet about dogs going to heaven.  I have a degree from Lincoln Christian University.  I have grown up in church.  I know that Scripture doesn’t state if dogs go to heaven.  However, I have read through the Bible several times now and I see where God created these creatures with such love and creativity.  I see places where there are references in animals in heaven.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever see our Macie again.  However, in my childlike, simplistic view I know that God created our puppy, loved her and gave her to us for a short time.  He loves animals or why would he have Noah go to all the trouble to save them in the flood.  He could have just made more.  I like to think of her up in heaven with past childhood pets that have gone before, grabbing Jesus’ sandal, taking off with it barking with her mouth full, and then turning around pouncing and wanting Jesus to come play.  She’s free from the 5 pills we were forcing down her each day, no more pokes, and she has energy again.  While it may not be true, it helps me deal with my hurt and the empty place in my heart right now.



Macie last week.  So precious.

Today in church I was reminded I am chosen.  I am God’s child.  He saw my sin sickness and treated me with the most extreme act of love known to mankind.  He sent Jesus to die for my sin and to cleanse me, heal me, and make me whole.  Being chosen is such an incredible feeling.  I am His and He is mine and He loves me.  Today the Ferris family is resting in that love and we are grateful to our God for choosing us.