About a month ago, I shared about losing Jack, our sweet little Silky Terrier. I still miss him every day, especially when I’m in my office. There are moments, even now, when I’m deep into writing that I’ll hear him breathing, and I look over to the ottoman to see him and realize—all over again—that he’s not here anymore.
To say he was well loved is an understatement.
And to say he loved us well is, too.
Before saying goodbye to Jack, I never realized what emptiness a pet’s passing could leave you with. Yet I wouldn’t have missed the last 10+ years of loving that sweet little guy just to forego the pain now. He’s worth every tear.
Still…
About a week ago when Joe mentioned, “I think we need to get another dog,” my initial reaction was not exactly one of joy. Or excitement. I still see Jack everywhere. And for complete transparency—I still cry every day! How could I even think about getting another dog? But knowing my husband—and knowing how he knows me (that man!)—I said I’d go with him to look if he wanted to.
After some research, he found a breeder in Chattanooga and called. She “just happened” to have two male puppies born February 3rd that were coming available two days from then. So, Joe and I made the trip down to Chattanooga and met the breeder. She’s been doing this for nearly thirty years and really knows her stuff. We met the puppies. They’re adorable. But, come on, what puppies aren’t adorable?
Still… I came home a tad unconvinced.
But we filled out the puppy questionnaire the breeder asked us to complete. Actually, Joe filled out the majority of it and then I went back to “add color,” as he puts it.
One of the questions on the form asks you to describe your last pet, how long you had it, the history, etc… So I described my sweet Jack and then searched for one of my favorite pics of him to include.
I sent this one…
But while looking for this picture, I ran across some others. Ones I’d forgotten I’d even taken.
Four years ago while on a trip, Joe and I stopped at a rest area and saw some dogs that looked so much like Jack. Not knowing what breed they were, we went to inquire about them and discovered they were Australian Terriers. And—as you may already know—Silkies are half Yorkie and half Australian Terrier. Hence, why they reminded us of Jack.
I asked the owner of the dogs if I could snap a quick picture of them, and she graciously agreed. Here are those photos from 2012…
The “rest area” Australian Terriers
So back to completing the puppy questionnaire…
When we came to the question “How did you hear about this breed?”, I included that quick story and those pics, then sent the questionnaire to the breeder. And as it turns out…
That picture taken four years ago in a rest area in Tennessee was of the breeder in Chattanooga and her dogs—one of the dogs which was the father of the litter that was born February 3. And part of that litter?
A cute little male we’ve named Murphy…
Meet Murphy, our 15-week old Aussie
You should have seen the moment when we all put “two and two” together and realized we’d met four years ago in that rest area. I was reminded again of how God cares about the details in our lives. His tender oversight to what oftentimes seems like such trivial details about our lives never ceases to amaze me. Because nothing ever escapes his attention. Thank you, Jesus.
We’ve had Murphy for a few days now and while I’m still adjusting, bless him, to the idea of having another dog—much less a puppy (who is currently being housebroken!)—I’ve already grown to love him. He’s precious. And while some of his breed traits remind us of Jack, plenty of others don’t. And that’s just fine.
Because even as I hold Murphy, I still miss my sweet Jack. And while I know that ache will diminish with time, I think I’ll always miss him—until, prayerfully, I see him again on the New Earth.
After all, pets don’t replace each other in our lives any more than “people friends” do. We just make more room in our hearts for the new ones. And aren’t we grateful God has given us the capacity to love like that?
Grateful for puppy kisses, both the present and those in the treasured past.
Tammy
P.S. Yes, that’s Murphy sleeping in a playpen and don’t you dare judge me! LOL. I’m on major deadline and that’s the only way I can keep him corralled enough to go to sleep so I can write! : )
Tamera Alexander
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Congratulations on the new puppy. He is adorable! I hope you find much happiness together. 🙂
Thanks, Elizabeth! Blessings to you.
Just when I think I’ve gotten over losing our Annie almost 4 years ago and then I read about Jack. In our 40 years of marriage we’ve owned only 2 dogs; a schnauzer and a lab mix. I grieved over our lab more than I let on.
Our pets are great company. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m happy for your new family addition.
Hugs to you today, Daphne, and comfort as you think of your sweet Annie. God is so gracious to allow us these connections with such a precious part of His creation. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my! I love this story. The way God weaves together “coincidences” in our lives. It gave me goosebumps.
And I don’t judge you one bit for the playpen. Heaven forbid that anything should prevent you from finishing up a book for me to read. 🙂
(BTW, I don’t know what’s diff about the pics of Murphy. All the pics loaded fine except for his. Chrome wouldn’t show them. I had to open up the post in IE to get them to load. Weird.)
I love those moments, too, Linda. It’s like the veil between this life and the next lifts ever so slightly and you get a tiny rush of the overall majesty of heaven’s design and “behind the scenes” coordination. No telling how we’ll look back upon this life from eternity and see how God worked in all the minute details to bring about his will. All so perfectly timed. Hugs!
Ahhhhhhhhh.
: )
Sweet memories and precious new memories to be made. Thank you for sharing the story and the photos. And, don’t you worry about the playpen. A writer does what a writes has to do. 🙂 Blessings.
Ha, Melissa. It’s workin’ for me. He’s fast asleep so I’m headed over to dive back into the story!
Love your new baby! So precious. We use our pet yard to keep the grands out of trouble, so why not use the play pen to keep the pets out of trouble? It works! Blessings to you and your new family member!
Absolutely, Angie! My thoughts exactly. Hugs, friend!
What a wonderful story. God always puts people in our paths for a reason. Murphy is adorable. I’m glad you found him!!
Welcome Murphy! You’ve picked a great home and a wonderful adopted “mama.”
Ha, Lynn. I’ll tell him Granny Austin says “eat for the hunger that’s coming!” ; )
I had a black lab from elementary school until I was out of college. His name was Murphy! I still miss that dog nearly 10 years after he passed. Your Murphy looks adorable!
So sweet, Stacey! I bet your Murph was adorable!
Thank you for your story about God’s caring of the details of our lives. What a loving God we serve!
Murphy is precious and I know you two will have a story together that is a blessing. Congratulations on your new puppy.
Thanks so much, Jen. There truly is no God like our God!
He’s so stinkin’ precious! I can tell he is going to be a dog of many fun expressions. I hereby charge you to post pics often! Congrats on the newest member.
And to help find solidarity… we had to put our Buddy down on Good Friday. I saw a news item on a dog this weekend that made me think of him and I sat there and balled. And then I saw a dog on a walk that had the same smile as Buddy and I balled. Puppy grief takes time!
Charge hereby accepted, Rachel! And sweet condolences on your sweet Buddy and puppy grief. **tears** Yes, it takes time. They’re so precious. Hugs from my corner of Nashville to yours.
Oh Tammy…..this gave me smiles and tears….I was *so* hoping you’d get another dog, so I am thrilled about Murphy (he’s adorable!!). 🙂
As you know, I truly understand the pain of losing a beloved furry family member. No, they can never be replaced, yet we can give love to a new one and I believe that helps ease our pain. So again, I am SOOO happy you all decided to adopt Murphy! The Lord works in such wonderful ways and I LOVE how He worked in this story of acquiring Murphy.
Hugs, Patti Jo
HUGS to you, Patti Jo, and thanks again for your kind words and encouragements on Jack’s passing. It helps so much when those who have hurt before come alongside you when you’re hurting. Makes all the difference. Love you!
So happy you found each other. He is adorable.
Thanks, Leecia! Blessings, friend.
Tears of happiness over His great love for us. Sweet boy, Murphy!
I say these during these moments, “God knows my name,” and it feels so good. How great the Father’s love for us all. So glad you shared, and so glad I happened to read. We are all blessed.
Phyllis, what a great way to think of it. Yes, he knows your name. And mine. And longs to be with us for all eternity. For us to be in his presence. The study in the book of Revelation this past year really drove that home for me. It’s absolutely amazing that He cares for us that much. Especially considering what wretches we are…without the transforming love and power of Jesus Christ.
Glad you were able to get you another fur baby! I believe God cares about the little things too. After all he knows every hair on our heads.
Absolutely, Brenda! Hugs to you!
Murphy is adorable! I waited about two months after losing my Penny before I begin th search for another puppy. Ziva has been with u a little over a year and a half. She sometimes answers to Penny. Love the little stinker but she could never replace Penny.
Yes, Joann. So understand your thoughts. Both are precious in their own ways. But “the new” never replaces the one gone. Hugs, friend. And hugs to sweet Ziva. Cute name!
Thinking of you lately and so sorry for your loss of the little cutie ;-( I’m glad you find a new writing buddy and hope you get accustomed to one another soon 😉
Thank you for your wonderful reminder that God cares even to the trivial details of our lives!! I needed this today. Hugs
Praying for you right this minute, Rosa, that God will draw you ever closer to him. Because when it all comes down to it, that’s the entire focus of this journey here on earth. HIM! Love you, friend.
Tammy, What a wonderful story about Murphy and Jack. After our mini schnauzer mix died it took me about 20 years to allow my heart to be willing to let another pet in. It was painful, I did not want to experience that again. But I have made up for those years with 2, that’s right 2 chihuahuas! It’s like the Lord was saying “You thought your heart could not handle one, well I am going to show you can handle more than you can imagine or think! 🙂 They are such great companions. So happy that you did not wait as long as I did, but with your husband’s help, have opened your heart to Murphy. That Murphy is going to be a very loyal sidekick and fan of yours, I can see it in his eyes. 🙂
LOVE your words, Veronica. Filled with grace…and TRUTH. With God within us and about us, transforming us, pouring his strength into us, we can handle and DO so much more than we can imagine or think. Bless you, sweet friend. (And every time I talk back to a movie or TV show, I still think of you!) : )
Oh, he’s so cute! We haven’t had a dog in 17 yrs. but contemplating a small dog but I’m not crazy about house-breaking one. If we could find one at a shelter…maybe. I like the Maltipoo. Enjoy your new companion.
Thanks, Maggie! And I SO hear you on the housebreaking. Oy!!
He’s just precious!! I love how God worked out all those details!!
Amen, Tricia!
Oh he is too cute. Thanks for sharing your story, and what a wonderful story it is. Sometimes you just wonder at how coincidences come to a happy ending.
I’m sure Murphy will love his new home and Family as much as you will love him. You will always treasure the happy memories of Jack and start collecting new one’s with Murphy. Happy for you.
Hugs to you, Ingrid! Thanks for sharing.
I cried when I first read about Jack. I’ve been through that three times with toy poodles. I cried again when I read about your new puppy and how God worked out the details. I lost my little Bitsy three plus years ago. She was very sick. After she died all I wanted was to pet a puppy but soon realized I needed one. Going from a 13 year-old who was sick to a puppy who was wild, I wasn’t sure but now I am so in love. And oh by-the-way, when they are napping, they are storing up energy! Toilet paper is not safe so the playpen is a good idea. I know you will never forget Jack and will smile at the memories!
Oh Linda, I am “so there” right now with the craziness of puppydom after having a mature dog. Gracious, what a whirling dervish he is. But sweet. Oh so sweet. And yes, every time he’s sleeping I think of him as recharging. Just like I did with my kids.
: )
ADORABLE! And how sweet that Jesus pre-ordered your steps in that way.
: ) Thanks, Cara!
Tammy, how amazing is it that God had your path cross with the breeder’s so many years ago? He knew you two needed that connection then, so that you could reconnect now when you were (perhaps hesitantly) in search of a new canine friend. I love it when we can fondly look back on the different places in our lives that line up perfectly into God’s plan for us… even when, at the time those things had taken place, we couldn’t imagine how they would.
Hope the deadline writing goes well!
Andrea
Thanks so much, Andrea. Would appreciate prayers on the deadline front, if the Spirit brings me to mind. Yesterday was NOT a productive day in that department but hope always springs eternal! So…onward! Hugs to you!
Tammy, I will certainly pray for you and your deadline. I know what you mean about lack of production. Had a similar day yesterday myself, only on copyediting. Would also appreciate prayers. 🙂 Hugs to you too, my friend!
SO thrilled about your Murphy, Tam. Just hope he wasn’t named after Murphy’s Law!! 😉
God can always stretch our hearts to make room for one more. It doesn’t diminish the pets we’ve loved before…instead, it says they were such a good part of our life that it’s worth doing it all again. Thinking of you as you get through the baby blues. 😉
LOL, Deb. Thanks for the encouragement. And commiseration! ; )
I’m so happy you were able to get another puppy. I lost my last dog in October of last year. I had rescued her from a pound who said she had been badly abused. I had her for almost 7 years. I haven’t gotten another pet yet. Murphy is adorable!!
So sorry for your loss, Donna, and hope that a new sweet canine friend is in your near future. Even with all the work, they really enrich our lives, do they not?
So very sorry for your loss of Jack! I lost a pet last fall also (a sweet little friend named Dakota) and as you said, I never imagined how much pain it would cause. I got a new pet less than a month later and love him very much – but I still miss my Dakota. You put so eloquently into words what I felt at the loss of my little guy and the arrival of my new little one. I am glad to hear about Murphy (he’s so cute!!) and resonate with your ongoing grief over jack.
Thanks for sharing that, Darlene. We’re kindred spirits in that regard. Blessings on your precious Dakota and may memories of him warm and encourage your heart…instead of bringing tears. That’s my prayer for me too. Hugs!!
Tammy, I lost my Pixie, my little 10 lb.Pomeranian, 6-24-2013, and I thought I was going to never get over it. I cried every day. We happened to see a little red Pomeranian named Foxy at an adoption event at Petsmart, and she captured our hearts instantly! This happened about 6 months,after Pixie’s death, and I didn’t think I could love another dog, but Foxy is so easy to love. In some ways, Foxy is so much more loving, cuddlier, and sweeter. I will always miss my Pixie, but pup love is such a wonderful thing. Give that precious little Murphy a kiss from me. What an adorable baby!