O give thanks to Nature’s King, who made every breathing thing. (Hymn 64) I put down the hot cup of coffee after a few swallows. I was just prolonging the inevitable and I needed to get on with what had to be done.
Our dear little white dog, Higgins, had a dislocated neck and suffered much with it. The veterinarian had put it back in place twice and once more it had slipped out. The terrible pain of that happening couldn’t be allowed to continue. When we take on the responsibility of any of God’s creatures, we must take total responsibility. Proverbs tells us that “a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” Seeing to it that they don’t suffer is one of the most important responsibilities toward the animals in our charge.
With a heavy heart, I drove to the vet. Once there, I cradled his head and tried to soothe his fears as his life came to an end. It seemed to take a long time but actually it was over in seconds. I stroked the curly coat and looked at the still body. It was so perfect. It was hard to believe he was gone. All the components of a young lively dog were still there; but without life, it was useless. His body was just so much refuse to carry home in a box. It came to me in a rush what a miracle the spark of life is — that breath of life given to all creatures from our Father. Men can accomplish so much with their technology, but one thing that eludes them is creating the spark of life in any form or level. They can take it away but they cannot give it back. That power belongs to God alone.
When I got home, I put the box on the porch so that Troy and our daughter, Leslie, could have one more look at him before we buried him beside the garden. I went in the house, sat down and picked up my forgotten cup of coffee. I was surprised to find that it was still warm.
And all creatures are His care. Not a bird that cleaves the air, falls unnoticed (Hymn 64).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One