Lessons from Brooksie

Late on Sunday, July 12, 2020, our beloved Brooksie died after a sudden and brief illness.  Brooksie was a tri-colored Pembroke Corgi and had been a part of our family for twelve years.  There are two types of Corgis:  Pembroke and Cardigan.  Pembroke Corgis are the smaller ones and do not have a tail or the tails are clipped when they are young.  Corgis originated in Wales and were bred to herd cattle.  Their small size, powerful legs and quickness allow them to nip the cow’s heel and dart away before being kicked—very important when dealing with a cow.  They are alert and on-guard for what is happening in their pasture. 

Brooksie was named after a mighty woman of God who was in her 90’s and who had been tragically killed in a car accident just a few months before we got our puppy.  It was our way of honoring and remembering a dear friend and awesome woman.  Remembering our Brooksie’s life with us now, I realize that she taught us many lessons—some positive and some not so positive.  I will share some of those with you.            

Brooksie was always on-guard and looking for us whether it was to bring her food, refresh her water or for her favorite activity—playtime.  She was always up for a game of ball or tug-of-war with the rope.  The rope was her “favorite toy” and we used that phrase when it was time to play with it.  Jesus taught about being vigilant in Mark  13:35-36

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” 

It was almost impossible to find Brooksie sleeping on the job.  I hope we are on-guard watching for Jesus’ return. 

Brooksie was sometimes determined to do what she wanted.  Often she would be rambling around the yard and we would call her, but she would look over her shoulder at us yet continue walking away from us because she wasn’t ready to go into her dog-run area.  For example, if she had not seen Roscoe, her dog boyfriend who lives next door, she would go to the fence and bark for him to come to her.  In James 4:5-10 we read,

“Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Brooksie was rarely humble and submitted but I hope we are learning to be humble and submitted to Jesus more and more each day.

Helen, a young friend of ours, asked a while back if she could come home with us and play with Brooksie.  We said “yes, certainly,” but we never made definite plans for the date.  Something always got in the way or things that were more important came up. There was always next week, next month or next year.  Again in James 4:14 this time we find,

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” 

So we must use our time wisely, recognizing how short our lives are and actively work for the Lord every day.  Brooksie was ready every day for Helen to visit, but we failed to follow through.  I am sorry Helen didn’t get to experience a special dog and hope she will forgive my slothfulness.

From Brooksie we realize that we need to be on-guard, we should be humble and submitted even though it may go against our nature, and we need to use our time wisely because we never know when our Master may call us to be with Him.  When I buried her at 5 a.m. on Monday morning, I chose a place on our property in a circle of trees near Roscoe’s yard, but I made sure she was facing the house where she could be on-guard looking for us.  Goodbye pretty puppy and thank you for the lessons.