He Saved Me
Last night, while my sweet Jep was at the emergency vet, a young woman had to say goodbye to her precious fur baby.
As an empath, I absorb the emotions and energy of other people as if they were my own. Her grief consumed me, so I followed her outside and wrapped my arms around her as she sobbed.
Through her tears, she whispered three words: “He saved me.”
I do not know her or her story, nor do I know the meaning behind her words. There are so many ways our fur babies save us.
But her words did resonate with me.
In 2015, during a very difficult chapter of my life, I rescued Jep. Many rescues were desperately searching for him after a Facebook post went viral. One rescue called me to help. I immediately spent 2-days desperately searching for this baby. I was so discouraged for so many reasons...days had gone by and no one could find him.
Then I received a text, he had been found by a person working in that same area and they wanted to know if it could be my sweet baby boy Jax.
Jax had gone missing from my yard in May 2015 while playing outside with his siblings. I was offering a cash reward for his safe return, amazing people had put flyers all around Midland, the owners of the billboards had graciously added Jax to their billboards, I had a pet detective come in from Dallas to help, the news ran a story...I desperately needed my baby boy home.
Obviously, it was not Jax but I explained that so many people had been searching for that dog and I was getting in my car to come pick him up. As soon as I got him, I ran him to the vet. He was in horrible shape and in a lot of pain. I started gently cutting sticker burs from areas that I knew were very painful for him and I will never forget...with these large beautiful brown eyes, he looked at me and a single tear ran down his sweet face and at that very moment I knew God had given him to me so that I could protect him, love him, and ensure he would never be mistreated or neglected again.
What I didn't understand at the time was God gave him to me to love and protect because after years of searching for Jax, I would have to eventually accept Jax wasn't coming home. I also understood in my moment of acceptance, Jep was God's way of helping me through the devastation of losing Jax...Jep's love saved me.
I have always believed God put dogs on this earth to help teach us the true meaning of unconditional love.
Even the way DOG spells GOD in reverse has always felt like a gentle little reminder of my belief.
There is something profoundly comforting about being loved unconditionally without having to find the right words, or any words at all.
Dogs come close when we cry. They settle beside us on the floor. They rest their heads against us when we have nothing left to give. In the middle of a life that feels frightening or unfamiliar, their presence can become something we recognize...something gentle we can reach for, our safety.
For a survivor, that bond can hold a part of our story that few people ever see.
The nights on the closet floor.
The tears we tried to hide.
The moments we wondered how we would get through another day.
We care for them, protect them, and give them a place in our lives. In return, they give us all of them...their heart, their unconditional love, their affection, their protection....all of them.
Sometimes, “he saved me” carries years of a story that three words can barely hold.
That is why the fear of losing them can feel so overwhelming. And why saying goodbye can leave an emptiness that is difficult to overcome.
We grieve their companionship, their familiar routines, and the comfort of being loved by them through chapters we struggled to survive.
Today, I am holding on to the hopeful news from Jep’s veterinarian at Legacy Animal Emergency Hospital. I am also holding that young woman in my prayers...and every person who understands the depth of her words.
If you are waiting for a phone call, praying beside a little hospital bed, or missing the sound of familiar paws...there is room for your heart here.
You do not have to make your grief smaller so someone else can understand it.
Honor the TRUTH of what that love means to you.
Recognize the RESILIENCE it helped you find.
Give yourself GRACE in whatever you are feeling today.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18, NIV
Dear God, please watch over the precious animals in our care, guide the hands working to help them, and draw near to every person who is frightened or grieving. Thank You for the love we have known through them. Help us care for them with tenderness and help us receive comfort when our own hearts need holding. - Amen.