Greetings,

Mr. E came to visit me today.

He was never fond of dogs, and when, three years ago out of the blue, his teen son brought home a terrier puppy named Howie, a gift from his girlfriend, Mr. E was not happy.  Not at all. 

A bit of background of Mr. E:  He is a 77 year old, gentlemanly  retiree, who met his future wife in the Philippines when in his mid 50s he returned to his homeland for a visit. Although there was an age difference, they were attracted to each other. They married and became the parents of three children: a son and two daughters.  

At 65, he retired from the department store across the street from my office. Because his wife worked, he was Mr. Mom.  Or a Frank Gifford... 

Every year, like clockwork, he would accompany each of his children to my office and I was greatly impressed with his involved parenting and concern over their health care.  

He'd bring me their report cards to show me their As and tell me about their scholastic awards. He deserved being a proud father, as he worked hard for them.  He fed them, clothed them, took them to the library, and pored over their homework with them.  Giving fathering his all, Mr. E earned every one of those awards along with them.

~~~

Three years ago, I met adorable, sweet-tempered Howie when Mr. E and his family invited us for a backyard celebration when his older daughter graduated with honors from high school. 

When his son joined the Navy, guess who became the dog's caretaker?

Mr. E.

With his wife working full time, his son in the Navy and his older daughter in college and his younger daughter in high school, Mr. E would have experienced the empty-nest syndrome were it not for Howie.

He ended up falling heads over heels in love with Howie, taking the little pooch out for walks three to four times a day and cooking specially prepared meals for him. When I saw Mr. E two years ago, he glowed as he talked about his Howie.  

He was totally smitten.

~~~

A year ago, when I saw Mr. E, he was devastated.  Tearfully, he told me that he was taking Howie out for a walk when a loose dog attacked Howie, killing the little terrier.

Mr. E was bereft, and we held each other for a long time, praying for Howie.  I told him that I hoped he would get another dog, but he said that his wife forbade it, seeing how he'd been crushed by Howie's loss. She didn't think he could bear ever parting with another dog, and dogs do have short lives.

Six months later, Mr. E stopped by to visit with his son.  While still saddened by his loss, he said that his spirits were lifted as he had made friends with the dog next door.  When his wife discovered he was feeding it, she forbade him to do so. 

"What if something happens to the dog.  The neighbors will accuse you of poisoning it."

He kept feeding the neighbors' dog anyway, waking up at 4 am to cook two drumsticks and feeding him under the cover of night. He began calling the neighbors' dog, Howie, in honor of Howie the Terrier.  

Although a fence separated them, Mr. E grew fond of his new friend. I was happy for both of them.  They kept each other company, made each other happy.

~~~

Today, when I saw Mr. E, I sensed something was not right.  Sure enough, things were not right. Mr. E told me that last week, Howie was not at the fence corner waiting for his early morning meal as usual.  He thought maybe Howie was on a trip with his family.

The not-knowing was killing him, so at the end of the week, Mr. E knocked on his neighbors' door to inquire about Howie.  He was told, "None of us  liked that dog, and so we sent him to the pound to be gassed."

Thud.

I am still reeling over that heartlessness. I will never be able to make sense of that kind of inhumanity.

Again, my heart broke with Mr. E.  And again, we sat together with tears in our eyes, this time, praying for Howie the Neighbors' Dog.  I told him that as hard it was to lose another Howie, he would always know that he had given that neglected dog the love he never received from his owners. Though his time was short, he was loved and cared for while he was here on Earth.

I think it made Mr. E feel a bit better. I hope so.

Tonight, before I fall asleep, I will pray for Mr. E, Howie the Terrier and Howie the Neighbors' Dog.  I will also pray that his son will bring home another Howie for his dad.

You can join me in my prayers, if you like. Thanks.

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