The Thing About Dogs and Goodbyes

This is my baby dog, Barak. He just looks really big but he’s about 4 months old. He is one of the four babies of his mommie dog Whoopie. Last week we had to give him away.

I took this photo the night before he had to go. We gave him to one of our churchmates who also loves dogs. I talked to him while he slept and pat him on the forehead. I told him it hurts for us to do this but he was becoming very big too easily and he had tripped my dad flat on the floor about three times already. My dad has been recovering from stroke and he still has a hard time walking straight. Plus, Barak is one really noisy dog!

But I love him dearly. And so does my mom and dad. My dad nearly even backed out from relinquishing Barak’s ownership.

But looking at the big picture, giving him away would be so much better for all of us. The only thing we made sure of was that he was going to be given to a family who would love him just the same.

His mom missed him the first few days because she had this habit of whispering something to his ears, probably inviting him to stop playing and start eating, whenever its chow time. She probably had to make a lot of adjustments when he was suddenly gone. She was obviously sad. But a few days after, she was okay again.

I miss him. But I am going to see him again in a few weeks.

Having to give up something so precious to me for a better situation taught me valuable lessons:

1. Love is all about looking beyond the flaws and imperfections . – Barak is not ugly but he definitely was a hyper, eardrum-breaking dog. And yet we loved him for who he is– just a cute little dog doing the normal things that he does.

2. Life is all about moving on. -I moved on when Barak left. So did my parents. So did his mom. So did Barak. That’s just how life is. We move on in different ways but that is making sure we don’t step on anyone’s rights or hurting anyone intentionally I guess.

I thank God for these simple special moments that allow me to think… and learn.

Posted by Wordmobi