In Memory of Molly

What can I say about Molly (shown here with Katie's Uncle Ned)? How can I pay tribute to my favorite dog ever? I first met Molly on December 25, 2003. After an early morning flight from Seattle to Sacramento, finding out my luggage was lost, then driving from Sac to Pleasanton to have my first Christmas with Katie's family, I was greeted upon arrival by Molly. Her bark of greeting, curious nature, excellent hosting skills (always on her best behavior when guests were present), deep brown eyes and perfectly cuddly fur were a great comfort and always a highlight of a visit to Uncle Ned and Aunt Judy's house. From that moment, through yesterday when she went to meet her Creator on her 14th birthday and on until I see her again, Molly has been, is and will always be my favorite dog.

Molly was a reminder of God's love to those of us lucky enough to know her. God used Molly to bring smiles to a lot of faces during her 14 years on Earth. And while I am sure that the place where she is buried in the backyard will be watered with a few of our tears, the smiles she produced will last forever-literally.

When someone we love dies, we are suddenly consumed with the wideness of God's mercy and grace and we hope with all that we have that we will see them again someday. I haven't yet been to seminary. I don't know what proper doctrine is regarding animals in Heaven and I certainly don't know what you, the reader of this blog, believe. What I do know is that dogs and humans were created on the sixth day together. And after creating the animals God "saw that it was good." And so I hope to see her again someday and picture her right now running through the only backyard that has more beautiful roses than the one she explored here on Earth and hearing all kinds of beautiful sounds and joining in the praise herself.

We miss you Molly-dog!