Sitting with our little dog as he died, on the same day I learned that our dear friends lost their adult son

THE THESIS: The Lord absolutely created the family and it is unnatural for parents to bury their kids. God must have designed the connection between people and dogs. In these two deaths--and two lives--God provides a lesson. We cannot compare a human, made in the image of God, to a dog. Nor should we. But, we should seek in lessons like this the reason for God giving us the ability to bond with dogs and why, sometimes, the greatest of God’s mercies come with temporary pain for us.THE SCRIPTURE & SCRIPTURAL RESOURCES: Psalm 23A psalm of David.1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,3     he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths    for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk    through the darkest valley,[a]I will fear no evil,    for you are with me;your rod and your staff,    they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me    all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord    forever.GOODBYE, BENJI. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR OUR TIME WITH HIM.Benji loved to have us rub his tummy. We were probably his 6th family and God blessed us with eleven years with him. He was with us on moving day and got to spend his last 2.5 years in a place where he could run, play and enjoy the woods behind us. Benji and his adopted sister, Luna (in the background) even got to save one of our cats who was very near to being eaten by a coyote. Thank you, Benji; we love you! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thetoddhermanshow.substack.com/subscribe