Bo the Church Dog
As many of you know, we've had a canine companion at church for the past three years. Bo the Church Dog came with me from Salt Lake City, where he was a "Foster Fail," meaning when I took him as a foster dog, I ended up adopting him. Bo had many health problems--especially at first--and he captured my heart with how patient and polite he was with doctors and vet techs poking and prodding him. "He's such a gentleman," they said. Bo came to me with kennel cough, body rashes, ear infections, eye problems and ruptured anal glands. When I adopted him, they had me sign a paper saying I was taking him "as is" (like a used car) and accepting responsibility for his health.
It took a while, and not all of Bo's health challenges could be fixed. But he remained a happy, loving boy to the very end. Bo left us last week following a series of heart attacks and seizures. I don't have to tell you that he is greatly missed--by me and his Auntie Remetha (church office manager), by Hope's Kitchen staff (where he escaped to on a regular basis), by Children's Enrichment kids and teachers (they always stopped in to pet Bo), and by everyone who came to love his fuzzy little white self. I thank you for your condolences, and I'm choosing to believe that Bo has now been healed of all his painful health issues. As we remember him, I think we can learn a lot from his little self-possessed personality.
Here is why I want to be like Bo. He was:
1. Laid-back. Bo never seemed to get grumpy, angry or frustrated. He just took things as they came.
2. Accepting of everyone. Even 2-year-olds who crowded around to pet him. Even the people in need who came to Hope's Kitchen or for utilities assistance. Bo never seemed to shy away from anyone--stranger or friend.
3. Curious about new things. Bo's eyesight may not have been great, but his sniffer sure worked! He checked out new packages or items on the floor, new people, new places...it was all fun for him.
4. Bo thought he was a Big Dog. He wasn't afraid of dogs who were much larger than him; wasn't intimidated by gruff barks or growls. He just went over and made friends anyway. 😊
5. Single-minded focus. When Bo was doing something, he would not be distracted--especially when he was sniffing out something interesting...especially food!
6. Joyful! Bo generally liked laying around, observing, sleeping. But when he got loose in the church hallways--Wow! He ran like a dog half his age and twice his weight. You could hear him racing (galomp, galomp, galomp) and knew exactly where to find him.
7. Bo was patient, gentle, tolerant and loved by small children. Who could ask for a better epitaph?
Lord, help me to be more like your creature Bo. May I be relaxed, accepting, curious, confident, joyful, patient, gentle and tolerant. And may I always love and be loved by small children. Amen.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stand in their way; the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”
Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean
It took a while, and not all of Bo's health challenges could be fixed. But he remained a happy, loving boy to the very end. Bo left us last week following a series of heart attacks and seizures. I don't have to tell you that he is greatly missed--by me and his Auntie Remetha (church office manager), by Hope's Kitchen staff (where he escaped to on a regular basis), by Children's Enrichment kids and teachers (they always stopped in to pet Bo), and by everyone who came to love his fuzzy little white self. I thank you for your condolences, and I'm choosing to believe that Bo has now been healed of all his painful health issues. As we remember him, I think we can learn a lot from his little self-possessed personality.
Here is why I want to be like Bo. He was:
1. Laid-back. Bo never seemed to get grumpy, angry or frustrated. He just took things as they came.
2. Accepting of everyone. Even 2-year-olds who crowded around to pet him. Even the people in need who came to Hope's Kitchen or for utilities assistance. Bo never seemed to shy away from anyone--stranger or friend.
3. Curious about new things. Bo's eyesight may not have been great, but his sniffer sure worked! He checked out new packages or items on the floor, new people, new places...it was all fun for him.
4. Bo thought he was a Big Dog. He wasn't afraid of dogs who were much larger than him; wasn't intimidated by gruff barks or growls. He just went over and made friends anyway. 😊
5. Single-minded focus. When Bo was doing something, he would not be distracted--especially when he was sniffing out something interesting...especially food!
6. Joyful! Bo generally liked laying around, observing, sleeping. But when he got loose in the church hallways--Wow! He ran like a dog half his age and twice his weight. You could hear him racing (galomp, galomp, galomp) and knew exactly where to find him.
7. Bo was patient, gentle, tolerant and loved by small children. Who could ask for a better epitaph?
Lord, help me to be more like your creature Bo. May I be relaxed, accepting, curious, confident, joyful, patient, gentle and tolerant. And may I always love and be loved by small children. Amen.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stand in their way; the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”
Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean
Dear Pastor Jean,
ReplyDeleteI feel the ache of the separation and the relief that Bo is free of pain.
I hope to be like Bo.
Be Well,
John