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Patton, a beautiful Rottweiler, was found almost dead on the side of the road by a man who is a foster father to many abandoned and abused animals in Jasper, Arkansas. At first he looked at Jeff (the man who stopped to pick him up) as though he wanted to die, but then he started fighting for his life.
The vet at the shelter they brought him to fell in love with him, as did the man who runs the shelter (Charlie). We had scores of people praying for Patton (which Jeff named him) but this is the e-mail we received last night:
Dear Friends:
I am thankful that God does not allow more into our lives than we can handle with His help. That being said, today has been a very hard day, because this morning the Big Guy went back to be with the God that created him.
So many of you wrote that you were praying for him and so many sent great suggestions for a name. But my friend Anthony sent a name that I think I will give him even now, and will remember him by: Patton. Just like the namesake general, this guy was a warrior--he fought SO HARD!! But his insides were just too damaged and torn up and he was getting worse and was in a lot of pain. Dr. Tim decided early this morning that he had suffered enough and so eased the poor old boy on to the next life.
I WANTED so much for him to live, but God NEEDED him for something more important. Just in the short few hours since we dragged him out of that ditch, he taught me and others SO MUCH!!
Thanks to all of you that cared without reservation or hesitation--some of you wrote and more of you prayed. Sometimes when we pray, you know that God’s answer is “No, I have a better plan--but all your prayers were great practice at learning to love the way I want you to”.
Farewell, Big Guy. May you be running even now on STRONG legs in the fields, woods, and streets of heaven with all those that love you. I’ll see you again.
Love, your friends.