I had no idea

Man, I had no idea just how rough things could be in one day. It was like one of those terrible day comedies, except no one was laughing.

1)Dru got loose yesterday, the fence between the street and the dog run blew open just enough for her to easily walk out, and she did, sometime between 1pm and 3:45pm. We scoured the surrounding neighborhood(s) and checked the major streets, no Dru. So we called the animal shelter, no dog with her description was there, but they told us to keep checking their online site, that they update frequently throughout the day.

2)Les and I were supposed to lead our small group yesterday and we were just sitting down to do the study (don't judge) when he received a call. Apparently they had a maintenance guy in to do some work who comes in infrequently. At the end of the day he was still working, but they forgot about him and locked him into the compound. Les' number is the only contact he had. So Les had to drive all the way out to North Island on Coronado to let him out, then back home in the rush hour, in the dark, and in the crazy rains.

3)Jo got home while Les was doing his rescue mission and had lost her phone at the trolley, she had already gone back to check, no dice. So she tried to call the cell several times and there was no answer, of course. Her only option, get a new phone, but since she needed either Les or I to be there do this, I was up to bat. Luckily it was past time for her to upgrade her phone, so it only cost an arm and not the leg frequently used to accessorize it so nicely.

So we got home, Les got home, Chris and Jo went out and brought home pizza for dinner, but still no Dru. I worried all night and checked the animal shelter site first thing when I woke up, still no picture of Dru. Told my tale of woe to my cohorts and cronies at work then I checked midway through the morning, no Dru. After lunch I checked again, this time I gave the spots that said "no picture yet" a click. Lo and behold, under each of those spots were sketchy details of dogs that had been picked up. One of them sounded like Dru, from our zip code. So I called and after much automated question answering I got a live person and the answer I had been hoping for. Dru was there, the lojack we had installed in her as pup had paid off, I knew FOR SURE it was her.

Les went and got her after he got off work, paid all the fees for licensing, kenneling, and shots and finally she was free from the doggie pokie. I've spent the better part of the evening petting and loving on her. I made a promise to myself that if she made it home, I was going to love her wholeheartedly. I've been very careful for these past 9 years not to get close to Dru or Angel. And now that Angel is gone, Dru is the only one left. It's painful if you give your heart with abandon to the dog and they pass, and it hurts just as much when you try not to. So I'm giving her all I have, with the fore knowledge that it's gonna hurt like hell when she passes. But at least she'll have had all of the love I have to give her before she goes.

It was a rough day, being sick, the drama of the lost phone, failure of leading the small group, the agony of worrying about the lost pooper, and the scary wind and rain. But Jesus heard my prayers and looked after our silly dog, made a painful purchase not so painful. And now I know Les is praying too, He let Les off of the hook for leading group! Well played sir, well played.

Thank you Father for taking a day filled will frustration and heartache and turning it into something that brings my eyes and my thoughts to you. Thank you for bringing Dru home and easing my mind. Thank you for your abundant love and grace, I surely don't deserve it, but appreciate it nonetheless. ~Amen