Good Dog

His ears are ragged. His coat is soft but slightly stained. Still, he is a good dog.

He never barks. He never whines for food. He really is a good dog.

He is always there when needed. He is most loyal. He is a very good dog.

His name is Mabry. Sometimes we call him Mabe. Sometimes we call him Mabry the Mutt. Each name suits him. He has been a constant companion to Hannah since she was very small. They became best friends when he became one of the first things she could reach for then pull to herself to hold close and hug tight.

In some ways, his life has been charmed. Hannah loves him deeply, fiercely, protectively. He could not have asked for a better companion. Some days just the feel of Mabry next to her cheek or chin would soothe whatever was wrong

in her life at that time. He took car trips to daycare, where he wasn’t allowed, only to be around at the end of the day to welcome Hannah for the ride home nestled next to her all the way. He made longer trips to the beach and to the mountains. He went to visit grandparents and cousins in other states. He made short trips to the grocery store or the beauty salon. He would go with us pretty much everywhere we would go.

Life handed a few bad times to Mabry as well. Sometimes when he was away from the house, he might get shoved into Jennifer’s purse or into one of my pockets. We did it to keep him safe or just to know where he was so that he could be quickly retrieved when he was missed. A few times, we thought we lost him as we searched high and low for him until we could identify his location. We even went so far to locate a similar looking stuffed brown dog that Hannah easily recognized as something other than Mabry. On a few occasions, he endured some washing machine and clothes dryer rides. And, then, there was the time he was dropped on the basement floor by accident then backed over by a car. He survived although his rattle has never been the same.

Through it all, Mabry has been a good dog.

There is more to Mabry though than what you have just read. Mabry was given to Hannah when she was so small she could only reach in his direction. He was a gift from a sweet, older lady who loves all children as if they were her own. For years, she taught Sunday school classes for young children. To this day, if pressed, she could probably name every child who passed through her classroom doors. One of those names would be that of my wife, Jennifer, Hannah’s mom.

When this lady first met Hannah, she gave this soft brown stuffed puppy to her. She explained to us then, and has explained since, that she knew Hannah would need something small to hold on to as she navigated the first few years of her life. She saw this small puppy and wisely knew it was just right for Hannah. Frankly, this was a bit of a departure for this lady as although she loves all animals she prefers cats most. Still, the puppy came home with Hannah, and when it came time to name it, we suggested Mabry, the last name of this sweet, sensible woman who just knew there would be a special bond between this puppy and Hannah.

When she sees her these days, Hannah recognizes Mrs. Mabry. She gives her hugs. She may even talk a bit with her at times. A few times we have visited Mrs. Mabry in her home where Hannah loves trying to locate the cats that live there. Hannah understands this lady and her beloved puppy share the same name. At some point, we hope that connection goes deeper so that she understands the depth of love this lady has for her, and, how people like her are ones to draw near to, and to strive to become more like. We hope that an understanding comes about that as much as the small stuffed puppy was something for a child to hang on to in her early years; people with hearts like Mrs. Mabry’s are something to hang on to during the rest of your years.

These days, Mabry lives a less hectic life. Hannah though is more active than ever. Sometimes those things that meant everything when we measured her age by counting months change when we begin measuring her age by her grade level in school. Of course, this is a natural part of life. As I do every night I recently stepped into Hannah’s room to check on her before I turned in for the day. In her room, surrounded by drawings from school, toys from her latest Christmas and clothes for a growing six-year-old, Hannah slept but I could not help but notice Mabry snuggled safely in her hands tucked into her chin.

I could only think what this little, stuffed brown puppy means to Hannah. Even as she has grown older, he remains her security. He still is a safe place for her. But...he also means so much more. He sure is a good dog.