Rascal And Belle

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

WHEN JODI AND DEAN brought Belle home from the humane society and Dean opened the car door, the forty-pound hound mix dashed out, ran across the front yard, and disappeared down the street. For the next hour the couple tried everything to entice Belle back into their yard, never losing sight of her as she darted into neighboring yards. But nothing seemed to work.

Then Jodi had an idea. “I’ll go get Rascal. Maybe she will want to meet him.”

Their eighty-pound boxer-dalmatian mix was not a search dog, but he did catch Belle’s scent immediately in the front yard where she had run. His tail began to wag as he looked around in excitement.

But where is she? Rascal seemed to pose the question as his ears stood up and his head tilted.

Just then, Jodi spotted Belle peeking through a shrub just beyond their property line.

“He is pretty handsome, don’t you think, Belle? I know he’d like to meet you.”

Deciding to capitalize on Belle’s curiosity, Jodi took Rascal into the house and then came back out to help Dean. Rascal’s barks of protest could be heard outside—eventually drawing Belle out of hiding. Timidly, Belle walked forward, her eyes fixed on the front door of the house where Jodi was standing close by. Dean was several feet behind Belle, trying not to crowd her.

Jodi and Dean smiled at each other before Jodi opened the door. The two dogs met on the threshold and instantly became best friends as Belle ran inside and grabbed one of Rascal’s toys. Rascal didn’t mind at all.

“I think this is going to work just fine,” Jodi said with relief.

Rascal and Belle played with the same toys, romped together in the same backyard, and slept on the same large dog bed. However, Belle drew the line at eating from the same dog dish and made it quite clear her food was hers alone.

Aside from that one unwavering caveat, the two were closer than any dogs Jodi had ever known. The first time Rascal left Belle for his annual checkup at the vet clinic, Belle whined, cried, and refused to eat or drink until Rascal came home. Several months later, when Rascal needed to return to the clinic for a skin condition, Jodi feared how Belle would react.

After loading Rascal into the car, Jodi—thinking it would be easier on Belle if she were confined to a small area—went to secure her in the laundry room. However, Belle was nowhere to be found.

“Belle, come! Where are you hiding?”

Jodi headed outside, stopping to check on Rascal. He was happily sitting in the back seat of the car, with the door open, just as Jodi had left him. And there, in the driver’s seat, was Belle, looking like an eager chauffeur.

If he’s going, I’m going, she seemed to say.

Rascal and Belle were never separated again.

On spring days, they would spend hours outdoors watching the neighborhood bloom with new life. On wintry days, Belle would use her nose to plow a path in the snow around the house for her and Rascal. And when Jodi and Dean brought a baby home, Rascal and Belle took turns lying under the crib to guard their tiny human named Lili.

No matter what the days brought, Jodi knew Rascal and Belle would face it together.

Still, when Rascal’s health began to decline, Jodi was surprised when Belle’s did too. After several months of vet visits and medical care, it was evident that the bonded canines’ pain was increasing. Jodi and Dean called the vet in tears to say they were ready to free their dogs from their debilitating pain. To make it less stressful, the vet came to their house. Jodi and Dean got down on the floor, with Jodi holding Rascal on her lap and Dean holding Belle on his, the two friends nose to nose until they took their final breaths.

As Jodi and Dean hugged each other and wept, they knew they weren’t facing this loss alone. They had a refuge in God and in each other—a powerful lesson they had learned from two very special dogs.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

What calamities or troubles are you facing today? Where or in whom are you seeking refuge? God is referred to numerous times in the Bible as our refuge and strength. What makes God such a powerful refuge for us in times of trouble? How can you be sheltered by God in the midst of your troubles and fears?

Paws & Pray

Lord, you are my strength, my shelter, and my hope. You are my refuge in the midst of the storms I face. Help me stay close to you. And help me lead others to the refuge and love only you can provide.

Wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future.