August 1, 2021

Dear St. Martin of Tours Family and Friends,

Dash wasn’t feeling well on Monday night. He was getting up at all hours to go outside because he was sick to his stomach. Even though his stomach was empty, he was still trying to vomit something out, but nothing came up.

On Tuesday Dash had no appetite and he was lethargic. Tuesday night wasn’t a good night either. When I looked in his eyes, I could tell something was wrong. When on Wednesday morning Dash refused to eat, I decided to take him to the emergency veterinarian on Big Bend Road.

Three and a half hours and $480 later, the doctor said Dash didn’t have any obstructions in his digestive tract, but he was very dehydrated. They gave him a medicine for nausea, rehydrated him subcutaneously, and then I took him home. He’s doing much better now, eating small portions of boiled chicken and rice.

If there is a sweet side to this little ordeal it’s that from the moment I was able to take Dash home, I could tell he was demonstrably appreciative that I took him in to get checked. It’s something in his eyes, perhaps, or in his attitude. It’s very apparent to me that he is very grateful that I attended to him when he was sick.

Those of you who are ministering to a sick loved one understand. Even though watching a loved one endure sickness is one of the most painful things in the world, the exchange of love, appreciation, and patience between you and your sick loved one cannot be measured in earthly terms. To care for a sick loved one, and to be cared for by a loved one, are the works of Jesus. It is an exchange of love which goes both ways; and Jesus is there — powerfully and poignantly, in tears and suffering, in hugs and words of love.

Make us a channel of Your Peace, Lord.

God bless you all,