Boomer, our beloved Border Collie was truly a gift from God. He was a nine-month-old rescue dog from Pierce County Humane Society, coming into my life on March 23, 2007. Dr. Annie Thiessen, Lindsay, Rita and the wonderful, loving staff of Chamber Creek Veterinary Clinic were Boomer’s veterinary care team from the very beginning of our life together. With acts of compassion and sensitivity, our friends from Chambers Creek helped us say goodbye to Boomer on March 3, 2020. Throughout Boomer’s lifetime, their tireless dedication, love and caring support for Boomer gave us months and years of joyful time with him that we might not have otherwise had. We know that they have invested in a relationship with us that has been much more than professional, and that they share Boomer’s loss with us. I am so thankful to have had 13 wonderful years with him. Day in and day out, I have probably spent more time since 2007 with Boomer than I have any other living creature. When I wasn’t away at work, he truly went everywhere with me. He was with me on my first (and every) date with my wife, he was at my son’s baseball games, and he was company and therapy for my parents when I was away. And, he was my workout buddy, throwing and chasing his toys around the workout room as I ran on the treadmill. Always on alert for any movement, no cat, squirrel or crow went undetected in our yard. He was my truck’s security system at the mall and the grocery store. Friend to all at Lowe’s and Home Depot, Boomer was my ever-present traveling companion. In these difficult times, we are so thankful for God’s timing: that Dr. Annie was able to make it to the clinic in time to be there for us; that we were able to say goodbye in way we had hoped, not knowing that only days later those opportunities would be curtailed.

His eye is on the sparrow…

The days leading up to March 3, 2020 were bitter-sweet and excruciating. The day was coming. On March 2, Boomer was in the truck with me when we pulled up to a stoplight behind a Kia Sorrento. The Kia’s license plate was: TRSTHIM I was reminded of Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord your God and lean not on your own understanding” Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;” Boomer will forever live in our hearts. We thank God for the privilege of having him in our lives. It is a great comfort to us that we feel his presence with us still. We are careful to step over him if we get up in the night. He is just out of sight in the rear view mirror when I am driving. Sometimes I can just catch a glimpse of him through the bathroom glass. He is forever just around the corner.

Why should I feel discouraged? And why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely And long for heavenly home When Jesus is my portion? And my constant friend is He You know, his eye is on the little sparrow And I know he cares for you and me His eye is on the little sparrow And I know God is watching over you and me I sing because my soul is a happy I sing because I'm free For His eye, it is on the little sparrow And I know He's watching over you and me