From Heartache to New Beginnings
Most people have had at least one pet who has touched their heart, the one who was a confidant, protector, and best friend. The one with whom they had hundreds of conversations, walked miles and miles with and poured their heart out over the years.
That special one for me was Digger, a/k/a The Mighty Black Dog, who had been my companion for 14 years.
With the unconditional love that our furry friends give us comes the inevitable goodbye, and it always feels too soon, no matter how many years we have had them with us. If we are blessed, that furry friend, along with the help of God, can visit one last time. It is the kind of visit you will never forget. I had such a special visit from Digger three weeks after he passed.
The Visit
Mum walks along a wooded path with sunbeams shooting through the branches. She can’t help but be reminded of all the walks she and her Digger have taken through the woods over the years when, up ahead, she sees a flash of white light. As her eyes adjust, she sees a dark figure running toward her.
Realizing who it is, she falls to her knees with her arms stretched wide. “Digger! Look at you, bud! You are young again!”
Digger barks and runs in circles, then shouts. “Mum! You are not going to believe what it’s like here!”
Looking around, Mum asks, “Where are we, Dig?”
“This is a visit, so I can’t stay long.”
“What do you mean, Digger?”
Jumpy with excitement, Digger says, “Mum! You know all those walks we took while I was with you? Well, guess who I am taking walks with now?”
With a smile, Mum replies, “I don’t know, bud, who?”
“Who did you always talk to when we went on all those walks?”
“I talked to you, and I prayed, Dig. I prayed to God.”
“That’s who I’m walking with now!”
Feeling a bit overwhelmed and stunned, Mum can only stare at Digger.
“Guess what else?” Digger asks as he jumps around his Mum.
“What else, sweet guy?”
“While me and God were walking, I told him you were probably sad without me. And guess what? He already knew.”
As she listens to her sweet Digger, her emotions begin to build.
Jumping and snorting, Digger continues, “And I also told him that you were pretty stubborn.”
She shook her head and said, “You told God I was stubborn?”
“Oh, he already knew!”
Putting her head in her hands, Mum says, “Oh my gosh, Digger.”
“He laughed, Mum.”
Mouth dropping open, Mum says, “God laughed at me?”
“He laughed because of you. He knows everything about you.” Licking Mum on her face, Digger softly says, “Mum, do you know what happens when God laughs?”
“No, buddy, I don’t.”
“All the souls sing, Mum. God laughs, and all the souls sing, and it’s like all the love in all the world.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Digger says, “Mum, I gotta go now. They’re calling me.”
Looking to where Digger has turned and seeing no one there, “But Dig…”
Digger begins jumping and running back and forth in excitement, “Gotta go, Mum! I’m going for another walk!”
Digger runs off with the speed of a puppy, back down the path when, with a quick leap, he turns in mid-air and faces his Mum again.
With tears running down her cheeks, Mum looks at her beloved Digger.
“Mum! Don’t forget! All the love in all the world and yours came with me! Love ya, Mum!”
With a bark of joy, Digger turns and runs back down the path at top speed, and in a flash of light, he disappears.
Mum wakes up with a start, Digger’s words still sounding in her head: “All the souls sing, and it’s like all the love in all the world.”
Taking a deep breath, Mum smiles and thanks God for “special visits” and for the reminder that her dog Digger is well cared for, well-loved, and on the best adventure of his life.
The weeks pass and turn into months. Mum is not sure she wants to bring another dog into her life. It’s just so hard to say goodbye! But another plan seemed to be in the works.
Driving to work one day, she feels a whisper, “There is a dog that needs you.” She pushes this thought to the side, thinking, “I’m not ready.” But the whisper persists throughout the day, and she finds herself on the local shelter website. There, she finds one dog listed as a 3-year-old male dog brought in as a stray.
Not knowing if she feels ready to open her heart again, she makes an appointment to visit the dog she saw on the website.
Mum is escorted to a visiting room. Shortly after, a volunteer brings a frightened, skinny, and skittish dog into the room while Mum sits quietly on the floor.
She needs the dog to choose her independently, so she doesn’t speak or move and patiently waits for him to decide. This fearful guy is tentative and skittish. He slowly inches toward her and sniffs her hand, jumps away, sniffs her other hand, and jumps away again.
At one point, he sits in front of the door and places his forehead against it as if frightened or mentally shutting down. After a few minutes, he gets up and slowly walks toward Mum, one tentative step at a time.
He walks to her side, sits, and leans against her. With a sigh, he rests his head on her shoulder and looks up at her. Slowly turning her head, Mum softly whispers, "Hello, sweet guy. Ya want to come home with me?”
Lifting his head, he softly licks Mum’s chin. She has been chosen, and she names him Dexter.
Two hurting souls connect, and a new life filled with adventure begins.
Find out more about Kim Lengling at www.kimlenglingauthor.com/.
Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - December 2024.
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