Eulogy for a King: A Tribute to My B.F.F. (Best Furry Friend)

      

      If ever a dog deserved to enter the pearly gates it was King Tut. 

      His thick, wiry coat of soaked up countless tears as well as kisses, all the while giving off the brown sugar aroma that never failed to make me smile. That's what he was-- my "Brown Sugar"-- sweet from the moment I laid eyes on him. I still remember: he showed up along with a little black and white companion, but Tut's golden eyes seemed to reach deep into my heart and say, "I'm yours; you need me, and I need you." There was never any question that we would give him a home, feed him, watch him grow, care for him as he grew old and gray. His sister found another home.

      Tut joined our "wild child," Queen Cassiopeia ("Cassie," our first foundling), but accustomed to being the only one, she quickly began to boss him around. He took it all in stride with his gentle spirit, put up with her abuse for many years before she withered away from old age. Her loyal subject until the end, he howled mournfully for hours when we buried her, even though all his life she had bullied him into submission. He took it humbly always, never fighting back. Not long before that Poppy had come along, equally bossy, if not worse. Since Cassie was feeble when Poppy arrived, Poppy quickly took over the "queen" position. Tut just took whatever they both dished out, however undeserved and unpleasant.

      Several years ago he began to develop a growth on his side. For years it didn't change much, and our vet told us it was harmless. Suddenly a few months ago, it seemed to begin growing, becoming larger nearly before our eyes. It became difficult for him to get up or lie down; other than that, it didn't seem to cause him pain. Yet I noticed recently he began to grow thinner, his ribs suddenly showing more and more each day, even though he continued to eat. That horrible growth, it seemed, was taking all the nutrition from what he ate. And yet he continued to go on his daily 3-mile walks, tail wagging all the way. He failed quickly-- a blessing for this sweet creature who put up with so much all his thirteen years. But what lessons I learned from my pet, my gift from God!

      Humility: Tut never seemed to expect anything special, but rather accepted what came to him gratefully, always with tail wagging happily. His daily manna was Purina Dog Chow his entire life, with an occasional meat scrap thrown in, but never expected.  He even seemed content when Poppy became our first ever "indoor dog," while Tut remained on the outside, safe at night in his kennel. In his last days, though his door was open, he chose to stay in the comfort of his house most of the time. (" .... I have learned the secret of being content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content...."  Philippians 4:11-12 CSB)

      Patience:  He waited for us to feed him, walk him, let him in and out of his kennel on our schedule, no matter what the weather. (".... a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit."  Ecclesiastes 7:8 CSB)

      Longsuffering: He put up with so much abuse from two different Alpha-sisters, who always got their way! He carried not only my emotional burdens, but the burden of that huge cancer on his side, making every effort to keep moving in spite of the encumbrance it must have been. ("However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life."  1 Timothy 1:16 NKJV)

      Love: Tut was the very picture of love. I know that no matter how long he had to wait for a meal or to taken out to potty, that sweet creature would welcome me with tail wagging and a smile (if dogs smile), or at least a happily panting tongue and a ready "kiss." Even if I was away for a few days, leaving him in the care of Bill or a friend, he never seemed to mind, always forgiving my neglect, welcoming my attention upon my return. ("Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends."  (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 CSB)

      It is those last words that are the part of Tut that will never leave me. No one knows if dogs will be in Heaven (Many of us really like to think so!), but I know that, if we live in Christ, love is the one earthly thing that we'll carry with us there. I pray everyone reading this has the same assurance, but if not, take your Bible, read the Gospel of John, speak to a pastor or friend who knows Jesus, message me. Life on earth is very short and unpredictable, my friend, and I promise you, when each of us takes our last breath, we'll stand before God. Will Jesus be standing in front of you, saying, "This one is mine, Father; let him/her in."?

    

King Tut, Queen Cassiopeia, and Poppy

 "He must increase, but I must decrease"  (John 3:30)

♱