The time had come.

Taking her beloved pet dog to the veterinarian confirmed that my friend’s dog quickly neared the end of its life.

She began praying.

Her prayer before Heavenly Father remained heartfelt, fervent and simple: Please allow our dog to die here at home, and cause it to be quick and peaceful, with no extended suffering.

A day went by. Then another. It was as if the clock ticked in slow-motion.

My friend suffered as she watched her dog suffer. She went back to Heavenly Father and fervently asked, “Why have You not answered my prayer and taken our dog?”

To her surprise, He answered thus, “Your son is praying for your dog to live.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as a beautiful dawning swept her being.

Father was walking through this valley of the shadow of death with them – and He gave special care and attentiveness to her young son’s prayers for their beloved dog.

Filled with thanksgiving and encouraged, she spoke to her son. “Son, our dog has lived a long, good life, and is now suffering. We don’t want him to suffer. It is for the best for us to let him go – release him.”

When he heard the truth in love from his mother, he agreed that it was best to release him.

So, they did.

Soon afterwards, their beloved dog passed away.

Father gives such great care and attentiveness to the prayers of all His children – and special care to the prayers of the little ones.

May this beautiful truth settle your heart in His perfect peace.

“I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
for his eyes are on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.”

(by Civilia Martin, 1905)

Crystal Wade, © 2023