Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”It was both an honor and a privilege to provide a home for Amos. Amos would fall into the category of one of the small animals that "scurry along the ground." He was a birthday present to me while living in Texas. Amos was the son of a white Scottish Terrier and a black Scottish Terrier. He was from Louisiana and because of his mixed parents, we joked that he was a Cajun. The mix produced a handsome dog ... when he was close-cut, he looked like he had tiger stripes.
Some traits and memories:
- He was timid ... skiddish at times ... particularly around strangers. Sometimes he'd bark from underneath the protection of a chair peering out from underneath.
- Once he knew you, he was very loving and trusting.
- He'd rest his big Scotty head in your lap.
- Amos often sat in a chair in the den or living room ... sitting much like a human with his leg up on the arm rest.
- When we went for a walk, he had to mark almost everything.
- We could talk to him in a higher pitched voice and he'd howl. We'd join in with him. He'd put a wolf to shame.
- He loved being around family including our West Highland Terriers -- Dixie and Abigail.
- Dixie would lick his ears.
- When we fed them, he always got excited hopping around almost like a rabbit.
- When we placed down the food plates, he'd always wait until last ... giving Dixie and Abigail first dibs.
- He was very careful of doorways ... almost as if he were afraid you'd close the door on him.
- When we gave him a bone, he'd walk around for hours holding it in his mouth not wanting to let it go for fear one of the westies would get it. When he was outside, he'd bury it. Later, he'd bring it in the house ... dirt and all.
- He caught a rabbit once ... and a frog. He was so proud even though we tried to discourage it.
- He'd chew on stuff ... floor rugs, and toys. Once he chewed on a rubber chicken and a piece of rubber lodge in his intestines blocking the food process. He had to have surgery to remove about three inches of his intestines to remove the rubber chicken.
- He loved staying outdoors ... he was always the last one in.
- We have portion of our back yard fenced. Amos would always nudge the gates in hopes that someone had left it unlatched. In the event that it was, he was on an adventure to the land beyond the fencing.
- He loved the lake.
In January 2008, we found a mast cell tumor near Amos' shoulder. It was cancerous. We had it removed and they gave him 3-6 months to live. He surprised us and we saw no signs of recurrence. Then, about two weeks ago, he began to have trouble controlling his bladder. Then, we later discovered blood in his urine. After an ultrasound, we found out he had a golf-ball-sized tumor in his kidney. Rather than have him suffer in his remaining days on earth, we made the difficult decision to put him down today, April 17. The process was serene and calm. Amos passed with his head in my lap. Patty and I wept.
I have my birthday next week. It'll be the first time in 9 years that Amos hasn't been a part of our family.
I sometimes question why I feel so sad. After all, he was "just a dog." Then, reading Genesis, I know that our relationship with animals is special. In the perfect Garden of Eden, God provided animals. He provided dogs.
In 2 Peter 2:16, Peter reminds us of the story of Balaam where God used an animal to rebuke him. In Matthew 6:26, we see that God cares for the birds ... he feeds them. In God's infinite wisdom, he provided animals in our lives.
Amos was my friend and a companion. I loved him. I'll miss him. Goodbye Bo-bo.
