The Unconditional Love of a Dog Never Dies

When I was a teenager, I saw first-hand that the unconditional love of a dog never dies.

I attended the funeral service of my boyfriend Rick's father who had passed away after a long battle with cancer. My friends and I sat together and watched the grieving family march down the aisle of the church and take their seats, All except for Rick.

As the pastor waited, Rick slipped quietly in through the side door, carrying his father's beloved pet, a small Yorkshire Terrier named Tony. Many in the church were shocked as Rick and Tony took their seats in the front row with the rest of the immediate family, but not my friends and I. We knew that the little dog had been the deceased's constant companion during his long illness and brought him much joy. It just seemed natural to us that Tony, with the unconditional love of a dog, should be there.

Why the side door entrance? It seems that the pastor had some misgivings about the dog marching down the aisle of the church. As a compromise to the family, he agreed that Tony could attend if he were carried in through the side door. Tony was a perfect gentleman during the service as he grieved quietly with the rest of his family. He also attended the burial, where he was allowed to walk on a leash with Rick up to his master's casket.

Years later I was able to see the unconditional love of a dog at another service. At this funeral, the deceased's two large Golden Retrievers walked down the aisle along with the family. They sat quietly next to the casket throughout the service.

And about a year ago, I attended a funeral service where a Border Collie walked step-by-step with one of the pallbearers, then laid down next to his master's casket during the service.

Why am I writing this? I was inspired by a fellow writer here at Associated Content from Yahoo.

Several months ago Kathryn Neff Perry shared an article entitled Unconditional Love regarding the funeral service of Petty Officer Jon Tumilson. Kathryn's article describes how Tumilson's dog led the grieving family down the aisle of the church and then laid down next to the casket. A photo that accompanied the story showed once again the unconditional love of a dog, Click here to see the photo.

I had commented on Kathryn's article saying that I had been to several funeral services where dogs have been allowed to attend. She emailed me back privately to thank me for my comment and to say that, although she was a huge animal lover, she had never been to a funeral that a dog was a part of.

As for me, my wishes have already been spoken for and those attending will be able witness that the unconditional love of a dog never dies.