Author Note: I wrote this piece on June 15, but I have not proofread and published it until July 12. I was simply too hard to read and reread.
The hardest goodbye Ever
June 15, 2021 – My beloved Fritz died yesterday. Today is a sorrowful day because we mourn perhaps the most beautiful creature God ever gave us the privilege to know. He was a joy to us; he enriched our lives and taught us so much about unconditional love. Fritz was loyal, obedient, faithful, patient, and kind. He never kept count of the times I did not treat him as well as he deserved and was glad to see me 100% of the time. He was a great dog and a great friend, and I will miss him for the rest of my life. Saying Goodbye to Fritz is perhaps the hardest goodbye I have ever had in my life.
I have been around long enough to have seen a number of my friends die. I have buried both my parents and a few siblings. I got to talk with my mother about death and heaven before she died. My little brother and I prayed together before he died; I know I will see him again. Gay’s oldest brother accepted Jesus and allowed me the privilege to baptize him before he died. I preached his funeral and could confess with great confidence that he was enjoying eternity in heaven and I will see him again. I sure do miss these folks, but I will see them again one day.
Will Fritz be in heaven waiting for me? Will we get to throw the Frisbee? Will he stay up all night guarding my camp? Will he sit patiently staring at me while I pray until he hears Amen… then will he celebrate with me? I don’t know. I hope so.
Perhaps God sends these precious animals to us to show us how to love. Maybe we are to learn to love the way Fritz did here on earth so that we can love people into a life that leads to heaven. So here are some love lessons I learned from Fritz during the seven short years God allowed me to know him.
I now know unconditional love in my life. Fritz always wagged his tail, pointed his ears, and was excited to see us every time. Whether I had been on a long trip or just in the bathroom for a minute, it was as if he missed me and was glad I was back. He would lean on me and shine those beautiful eyes on me. There was nothing but admiration and love behind them. That never changed. Even the night, he was at death’s door and could barely catch enough breath to stay awake. Yet, he still loved me and looked at me with the expectation of being loved.
His love made him loyal. I used to tell people that Fritz would pretty much do what I asked him to do. Whether it was to stand still for a bath (which he hated) or HALT when he was chasing a squirrel, he was loyal to my needs over his. Every time we left the house, Fritz would follow us to the door and look for the signal to either go out the door or stay (he always wanted to go). If I would tell him, “You’re not going,” and he would wag his tail as if to say see you later and go lay down. He loved me enough to do as I asked, even when it was not what he wanted.
He never left my side. If you have been to our house for a meeting or counseling, you know Fritz was always near, listening. When we would pray to start the session or discussion, he would lay down just outside the room, the first Amen. When I prayed at the end of the session, Fritz would be right there to hear the second Amen. He knew the session or meeting was over, and perhaps it was to throw the Frisbee, and he would celebrate.
Will there be dogs in heaven? I simply do not know. What I do know is that because Fritz loved me, I am forever changed. He was a gift from God, an illustration of the love that should be the norm, not the exception. As a result, I know how to love more deeply and more thoroughly. That precious gift has made me a better witness, a better husband, and a better man.
Thank You, Father God, for giving an object lesson in Kingdom loving to be more Kingdom minded.
