The Puppy

Our family had a rough couple of days. Friday morning was the coldest day in a decade and I was getting ready to take Danae to school. I started the truck to get it warmed up. Danae and I got in the car and started backing up out of the driveway. Unfortunately, I did not know Danae’s little puppy, Phillip, got out of the house and was running after her. I heard the yelp and we both knew what happened. Danae screamed and went outside the vehicle only to see her poor puppy still partially under the wheel. I move the vehicle and got out and picked up the pup. We were both distraught. I knew the puppy could not survive. We both held the puppy and I went inside to yell for Dawn to take care of Danae will I attended to the pup. Dawn quickly attempted to comfort Danae. I went to the bathroom and got a towel to cradle the pup and cover his injury so Danae would not be more disturbed. I knew the puppy could not live but didn’t want him to suffer for long. I pulled out my pistol and put it in my pocket, just in case, I had to do the unbearable. I still remember the gun going off in the background when my dad had to put our dog down when I was younger.  I know Danae will never forget this tragic morning but I didn’t want her to remember a gunshot in the background. Within a few more minutes, however, I could see that little Phillip was not going to live long. I took him downstairs and asked Danae if she wanted to say goodbye to him. I am an emotional man and just cannot stand to see people in pain. Seeing my daughter in pain is unbearable to me. We were both crying when he took his final breaths.

It was not a good day but after a couple of days, things are getting back to normal. I look back on that morning with a lump in my throat because of the emotional pain our family was experiencing. I was also hurting because I could easily blame myself for this misfortune. However, in the midst of our pain, when Danae was crying she continued to say repeatedly to me… “Don’t blame yourself dad, it wasn’t your fault.”

Often when we are sad or angry, we often have a tendency to lash out at the ones we love. We often say hurtful things… using words that cut like and knife… causing wounds that may never fully heal. That morning, I saw my youngest daughter experiencing one of the most traumatic events of her young life, seeing her puppy dying under the car. Yet, instead of blaming God, others or me for the tragedy, her instantaneous emotional response was to ease my pain. WOW! I am truly blessed. Danae lost her cute puppy that morning but she gained additional respect from her father. I am very proud of all of my daughters. They are growing into very fine young women. Dawn and I often reflect if we have been good parents to our children. When I see Danae, Brittany and Destiny, thinking of others, I know we must have done something right.