MICKEY
As we were leaving my brother and sister-in-law’s house, on our way to the airport, their dog Mickey was looking at us with a longing look on his face. He wanted to be outside too.
It’s peculiar how the animals in our lives have such an impact on our lives. I felt bad for the little guy as we were preparing to leave St. Louis.
Even though we live across the country from my wife’s family we keep tabs on all of them, not just the siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, but also all the animals in they’re lives.
My wife’s sister’s family had a dog named Gordy. He’s been gone for close to ten years and we still enjoy reminiscing about him and his impact on their family, me especially about his soccer techniques.
Mickey’s been around for 15 years. That’s a long time. Our niece and nephews don’t have a lot of memory before Mickey. He’s been a constant companion to them in their lives.
Mickey has seizures now. When he gets scared, excited or runs a little too much he seizures and faints. He’s still conscious and cries a little because it looks like he’s scared.
Saturday morning we were outside drinking coffee, enjoying a perfect Autumn morning. I say we because it included most of the family and Mickey, of course. While we were outside one of Mickey’s old arch enemies decided to drop in for a visit.
Things that fly, including airplanes have kept Mickey busy all of his life. This time it was a butterfly. The little flying creature bounced through the air unknowing the disturbance he would cause below.
Mickey somehow caught a glimpse of the flying enemy through his worn-out eyes. Running and jumping after the butterfly caused a couple of things, the butterfly to change directions and altitude for one. The other was the far away look in Mickey’s eyes from the chase. Then the inevitable fall to his side and seizure.
As soon as my niece saw Mickey start to run, she yelled for him to stop, when that was having no affect she tried to bribe him with a “treat.” Still no go. Mickey while old, was still doing the things that he enjoyed his whole life. Probably the only thing he enjoys more than “treats” is chasing things that fly.
From my view, it looks like Mickey doesn’t have too many days left. His time spent doing what he loves should be encouraged. I understand our family doesn’t want that day to come. So they go out of their way to care for him and prolong his life as long as possible.
That’s exactly what we as humans do with our loved ones. We don’t want to face the inevitable, we want to prolong time with loved ones as long as we can. I’m no different…
Unlike Mickey, we don’t usually want to risk our lives to do the things that bring us pleasure due to our fear of death. Fear of the unknown is natural.
For those who know God and understand the sacrifice of Jesus Christ should be different.
We should be a little more like Mickey. Mickey plays like his soul will live forever. I don’t have any idea how the afterlife works for animals. I can make some assumptions from a Biblical point of view.
However, us two legger’s with opposable thumbs have written instructions from eye witness authors of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those instructions include us living life in abundance doing the things that bring God and us joy.
When we live without fear of death and chase butterflies like we did when we were young, that is the life we were designed to live.
As we pulled away from my in-laws house we were all looking at Mickey, who was looking back from the window. My wife said out loud exactly what I was thinking. “This is the last time we’ll ever see Mickey again.”
I think maybe Mickey will be waiting for his family on the other side. If it’s not butterfly season.
brad gore
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 @ 9:56 am
Well, that did put a couple tears in my eyes. When we read about such things, we always have someone or something that is our own, ” Mickey”
floyd
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
I guess that’s the whole point, as we discussed, we’re all more alike than we are different. Thanks again for your input.
patty
Thursday, October 28, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
Floyd, this made me cry ! I have a little pekingnese Bailey .he is thirteen and no longer has his hearing, but he knows what I want I just do hand motions . He is my buddy I can’t think of life with out him. but I know it is comming .I well be with him all the way I won’t let him be alone .I well be there to make sure he isn’t scared and that Im there.yes I can see how you feel about Mickey.
Brenda Pridmore
Thursday, October 28, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
As I am writing this comment, I have some tears in my eyes because as I read about Mickey, I am thinking about my own dog, Heidi, whom I put down a month and a half ago. She was a Visela mix. A very good guard dog as far as protecting her home and family. I have never put an animal down in my life; it was very hard for me. Heidi was 6 yrs old. She had a hematoma in her right ear that required surgery. She was also sick. I could not afford the surgery so I made that difficult decision to put her down.
From my point of view, this was a huge sacrifice for me. But also, I had to think about providing and caring for Brian a.k.a. Junior. I think about her often as I help to feed the other dogs. I know in my heart she’s in a better place.
floyd
Thursday, October 28, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
Brenda, sorry for your loss, but it sure is good to hear from you again.
Lisa Galati
Thursday, October 28, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
The leash is off forever!
I have thought of keeping Mickey’s leash on him now while we sit in the back yard to keep him from slowly hurting himself each time he runs and faints. This would only keep him from what he loves, chasing butteflies, planes in the sky, etc. Floyd, you are so right, life “is” all about living each moment and not trying to avoid death. Have no fear! I do believe God has the whole plan all figured out and it will be good! Mickey doesn’t have a fear in the world!
floyd
Thursday, October 28, 2010 @ 7:56 pm
” Oh Mickey your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind. Hey Mickey, (clap clap, clap-clap) Hey MIckey”!
Lisa Galati
Saturday, October 30, 2010 @ 8:53 am
Oh my gosh, you are a “goof”!
( a Vogel term of endearment!)
floyd
Saturday, October 30, 2010 @ 10:00 am
INDEED I AM!!!
Stefani Laub
Monday, November 8, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
this reminds me of my dog and how we lost him due to seizures. its like loosing a family member its weird!
anyways! i love thinking about how animals and such were created by God to do certain things. A bird is meant to fly, make a nest, and lay eggs. Whats cool about it, is that they do “exactly” what God has called them to do. I like to look at us and see how we are not so obedient like His animals, in this case Mickey. like you said Mickey lives so freely under God’s will and in return its a care-free life. how precious life would be if we did exactly what He called us to do and instead of cluttering our minds with stress, worry, and doubt if we could just replace it all with the focus of Him.