It happened so fast and unexpectedly. Maverick, the Doggett family dog - a Welsh Corgi - herniated a disc in his back. He became instantly paralyzed from the waist down. He lost control of his bladder as a result of the damage. From the waist up, he was fine, aside from the obvious pain. For 24 hours, he moved as a seal dragging his lower body on the ground. We prayed that he would pop up on his back legs the next morning..........he did not. The vet said that the damage had been done, and that the best thing for Maverick would be to put him down.
Karen and I felt led that we needed to use this as a teaching moment for our 3 precious children instead of trying to sweep it under the rug.................God had a reason for this. As we often witness, God often uses difficult times to do his best work. We told our kids (ages 6,3, and 2) that they needed to say goodbye to "Mavy" one more time because he was going to the Doggie doctor and would probably not be coming back home because he is so sick. To our astonishment, no one cried. Instead, they asked alot of questions about life and death. We talked about it openly and honestly.
When they walked up to Maverick for the last time, he desperately drug his little body towards them for some love from them. Maverick could actually smile (anyone in our family can verify this!) He smiled at them, and they told him that they loved him and would miss him so much. Then, they simply took turns patting him and petting him as he lovingly smiled back. Taylor and Lexi, our two girls, said goodbye to him one last time, and turned and walked away. Then, something happened that I will never forget. Our son, Colton, began to walk away too, then stopped. There was not a sound in the air except for some birds in the background. He walked back to Mav and began to pet and pat him one last time. He kissed him on his little white spot on his head and then he and Maverick just stared at each other for what seemed to be an eternity.
It then struck me...........the unconditional love of a dog, and the innocence of a child starring face to face at each other - two of God's incredible gifts to man.
Karen and I took Maverick to the vet together. We held him in our arms together as he went limp in our arms never to wake up again. It was so incredibly hard, but we are so glad that we were there together with him to the very end. We will never forget that moment.......ever.
Today, the story of Maverick makes us so grateful to God for our children's health. Karen and I have thought often of Brian and Jamie Hackney and Brent and Paige McCall the past few days. These are families of incredible faith that have lost much more than a loved pet.............one of their precious children. Their faith is an amazing example for all.
Maverick, we will miss your soft ears, your sweet "lickens", your mischevious nature, your nonstop desire to go on walks, and waking up nose to nose with you in the morning. You will always have a special place in our hearts.
