19 years. It’s been 5 presidential terms; 5 leap years; 5 Olympic games. It’s 133 dog years. It’s a long time.

And for every bit of those 133 dog years, my loyal pal Zippity Doo Dog, was about two paces behind me as I walked around the house. One, if I was in the kitchen & cooking.

He was faithful amidst junior high annoyances- like never getting first chair flute because Amber Garrison always did. He was a constant companion through my heartache when my parents announced we were moving yet again and I’d have to attend my third high school. And after my freshman year of college, he was there to meet my future husband who traveled to Tulsa for the official “meet the parents.”

Some fabulous life milestones transpired with my most faithful furry friend by my side…ears pierced, appendectomy, first crush, high school drama, driver’s license, high school graduation, the Y2K fiasco, college graduation, getting married, first ‘real’ job, church planting, home renovation, three kids, 9 moves, and 4 states. When friends disappointed me & when life kicked me in the britches, my dog faithfully wagged his tail and only knew love.

On Wednesday of last week, we made the difficult decision to put him down. It was time and I’d delayed the inevitable long enough. It wasn’t easy, but it was right and I do not regret our decision.

We decided it would be best to tell our three year old before the dog just disappeared from our family and felt it important to tell him the truth. So, I sat him down and explained that we were taking Zippy to the vet and that he wouldn’t be returning.

Pierson’s first question, “Will he go up in the sky and be with God?”

I attempted the best I knew how to answer, “I hope so. I know God loves animals and his creation, and I hope that he will go to be with God.” I elaborated a bit more and waited for the next question. But what came next, I didn’t quite expect.

“Can we get a cat?”

Oh, to be a young child again.

I still ‘hear’ the sound of his paws across my kitchen floor or think I need to take him out before remembering he’s no longer here. Nineteen years of loving a pet isn’t easily undone. And the tears still flow. But I wouldn’t undo the years. Because experiencing the loyalty and faithful love of a furry friend is something that everyone should have the privilege of experiencing; And an experience for which I will forever cherish.

Thanks, Zip.

I’m pulling a late night tonight, but not by choice.  New work schedule, and I’m about to die.  I’ve been tired since about 10, but the adrenaline of being at work alone (and kind of creeped out by being so alone with the eerie silence) is keeping me from taking a cat nap. LOL

So, what better thing to do than to xanga?  BUT, there isn’t a single coherent sentence, please be quick to show mercy.

Last night, the vicious, mean, monster-sized Boxer dog jumped the fence between our neighbor’s and our yard.  It’s a well known fact between Michael and I that I’m terrified of this dog. Buster is his name.  Thankfully, Michael was the only one in the yard at the time that the dog JUMPED the fence and headed straight towards Michael, barking furociously.  Michael had nothing to do, but took a step towards the dog.  Thankfully, this scared the dog and he didn’t bite (Guess his Bark IS bigger than its Bite)… But that’s something you don’t want to mess with.  Had it been me, I would have run, and probably not be typing this today .  Michael  drove around the neighborhood to their house while I pulled down the window to check out the activity.  THE DOG WAS BARKING AT ME INSIDE OF MY OWN HOUSE AND WOULDN’T LET UP! 

Side note: It’s a good thing that my husband is so patient. 

He went to the people’s house while the man was simultaneuosly leaving to come to ours to get his dog.  He saw Michael and thought Michael was wanting a fight and started back inside his house… Michael patiently explained that if Zippy had been in the back yard, he would be dead, and something needs to be done…great opportunity to follow Jesus’ example of mercy that he had preached about on Sunday.  Of course the guy feels bad, but hopefully something will be done to resolve the situation so I don’t pee my pants when I hear that dog’s bark–EVERY TIME (maybe not THAT drastic, but I sure do get scared!).

In other news, I took my animals Zippy and Krenzel (the vet can’t get it right and thinks it’s Kernzel) to the vet today.  My cat was awful, the vet and techs didn’t even take him out of his cage!  They unscrewed the cage, pulled off the top, threw a blanket over him, and gave him 2 shots.  Then really quickly put the cage back together.  I apologized profusely for my wayward, but loveable cat.  He is awful!  Lesson learned for trying to domesticate a barn cat.  This action by the vet and techs didn’t keep the cat from growling, groaning, hissing, and batting at the employees in the cage.  Sigh

Good Morning, all!   I’m off!