A friend of mine called me up a few days ago to let me know she was going to be putting her dog to sleep. Her dog, Zeke, a white Whippet, had a cancerous growth that was now affecting his quality of life. I went to go see Zeke last night, he was not doing well and it was visible. He was weak, so weak that all he could do was flop on his side, and it was obvious that he was struggling for each breath. I sat with him, gently petting his head, said goodbye and let him know how much I enjoyed having him in my life.
As a Muslim I was raised to look at dogs as filthy creatures. There are a few misinterpreted Hadith which allude to The Prophet as warning people about the potential spiritual and physical deficiency of dogs. However, I could never buy into this. It just did not make sense that God would create a creature as loving, gentle, loyal, and giving as a dog and then tell us to abstain from experiencing this grace in our lives.
The companionship of a dog is uniquely different from any other creature. I don’t have a dog, but do get the chance to dog sit for a few friends. I am amazed at the almost instant connection I develop with this creatures. Yes, when I dog sit that means the dog comes to live with me, and no, I do not believe that angels leave my home when a dog enters.
Just like humans each dog I have encountered has a unique personality. With Zeke I will remember his calm almost Zen like nature. How he would hide at the first sound of a thunder storm. How he would sit still enjoying the warmth of the sun.
With Zeke I will also remember how I caught my breath the first time I saw him run, and when I would take him for a walk people would look at him, smile, and tell me how beautiful he was. And he was a definite beauty.
Each animal I have encountered has reminded me of the more important lessons of living this life. Zeke reminded me of the beauty of creation. Beauty so striking and so mesmerizing that I am left in a state of awe. From the gentle lines of his form, to the gazelle-like grace of his stance and walk, to the softness of his disposition.
Goodbye Zeke. Thank you for your company. Thank you for your warmth, grace, and affection. You will be missed.
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October 22, 2007 at 9:04 pm
leenoo
😥 I hate when this happens. It’s a fact of life but it doesn’t make it easier to bear… may God bless Zeke.
Whippets are very striking animals, I’ve only seen a few in real life but they are really beautiful as you said.
I don’t believe in hadeeths at all so keeping dogs is not an issue for me, I hope to always be able to share my home with at least one dog in need. 🙂
October 22, 2007 at 10:46 pm
spiritualcat
Thanks Leenoo for your kind words.
We contemplated yesterday about the souls of animals. Do they have a soul? If they do what is the difference between their soul and our own.
Interestingly enough dogs are mentioned a few times in the Quran and all those verses there is no mention of dogs being filthy. I guess Allah approves of dogs 🙂
November 11, 2007 at 4:51 am
00sabr00
Most of us grew up in cities, where having a dog would border on inhumane w/ our busy schedules anyway. But looking at the Qur’an, in the example of the Men of Andalus, Ashabul Kahf–the men who fell asleep in the cave as the fled the Roman soldires persecuting monotheistic followers of Jesus, pbuh–the men had a faithful dog, and that dog both fell asleep with them for those 300 or so years, and died with them as they surrendered in prostration to god…So I’d def say Allah honored the dog, and even all animals in the Qur’an!