His name was Jack. He came to us a little more than a year ago, so starved you could see his ribs, and worst of all, his tailbone through his coat. He was friendly and loving from the very first day, even though he was hungry and shy with my other dogs. Life had been cold and cruel for Jack, and I think he had been cast aside, unwanted, or perhaps a family had fallen on hard times and could no longer care for him. To me, a dog lover, I rarely meet a canine I don’t love. Even so, Jack was exceptional. He just radiated love and appreciation, joy and fun. I named him Jack because I just looked at him and thought “He looks like a Jack”. Never had a name come to me like that before. He answered to Jack from the first call, even though he was full grown, and surely had another name before. Or maybe it was Jack. 
My youngest son came back home about the same time. Life had been pretty tough for him the last several years. He lost a great job that he loved when the housing industry fell off. The last several years of his marriage were a very terrible time for him, ending in a bad divorce. Jack and David took one look at each other and saw a friend they could trust, someone to share the tough times with. They bonded and spent many a fine hour enjoying each other’s company, giving silent comfort to a friend in need. Each enjoyed and treasured that special friendship, seeking each other even in the midst of our four dogs and busy comings and goings. They could usually be found together, playing, walking in the woods, or just sitting in the porchswing. It was as if God brought together two who could heal each other in a special way.
Jack left us today. He was having cluster seizures, and he could no longer walk. We had hoped a change of medication would give him some more time, but he would have suffered too much. David chose to let his friend go home. His heart is broken for loss of Jack. My heart is broken for loss of Jack and the hurt to my son.
When David was in the third grade, his reading book was named “Serendipity Surprise”. David loved that word, and used it in every sentence he could. Jack was a serendipitous surprise for us. He brought love and comfort and friendship. I shall always believe he brought God’s touch of comfort and love to a hurting young man who needed him. Oh, how successful was Jack at that mission of love. I watched my son come away from Jack the last time, hurting so much, but a little stronger, a little wiser, a young man who had the courage and compassion and love to make an unselfish decision for the benefit of a friend.
We search long and hard to see God. Where is the miracle, where is the voice? Where are you God, I need you so. We miss Him walking with us  every day because we are looking for the amazing, and he is present in the simple. We are listening for the shout, and he is the whisper in the burning bush. He is the friend sent to us in need. He is the friend who lets go when it hurts, oh hurts so much.
He is present in the comfort and prayers of a friend I’ve never met who gave me the words to ease a young man’s pain and give him the courage to make a decision he wasn’t ready to face. Thank you, Sharon.
Today, in the loss of a beloved family member, pet though he be, I felt God’s care for my family, for this son of mine who isn’t sure there is even a God. Wherever there is love, there is God. No man could ever have walked out of a primordial swamp and found his way through generations of toil and trouble to a sacrificial love such as we see every day.
Today, look at those you love a second time. I’m willing to bet you’ll see a little more under the surface with that second look. God gave them to you. Thank Him and hug them.