Shiloh - R.I.P.

Shiloh, a cuddly little Corgi-Chihuahua mix, came into our lives some twelve years ago. Today we said goodbye. He sat on my lap all the way to the vets in Henniker. And all the way I worked to convince myself this was the best decision for him and us. A growth on his belly had taken over his life, leaving him uncomfortable and in pain.

I thought it would be hard to leave him with the doctor. It was. But the hardest part was walking out of the clinic holding his collar. I made it a mile or so to Dunkin' Donuts and pulled into a parking lot to weep and for the first time I wondered about the soul of a pet and Shiloh's place in God's universe. I stumbled on these verses in Job: "You have only to ask the cattle, for them to instruct you, and the birds of the sky, for them to inform you. The creeping things of earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation: there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this! In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being!" (Job 12.7-10).

Shiloh taught us much about love, loyalty and commitment. I believe he is in God's hands now. Rest in peace, Buddy.