A Love So Great ... by Shara Bueler-Repka

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19 NKJV)

My father-in-law, Henry, loved dogs. Years ago, his original ‘dog plan’ was to breed Rat Terriers as a business adventure (yes, ADventure). However, as the puppies were born, he became so attached to them he couldn’t bear to sell them. His brood grew to a frisky bunch of seven.

I have fond memories of watching him walk his dogs next to the cow pasture. With Henry leading the way, his little entourage followed him like the Pied Piper. Or, when he drove his ‘Mule’ across the property, one of his bunch would proudly sit in the passenger seat—mouth open, tongue hanging, and ears blowing back in the breeze.

Henry also had a huge heart for homeless or unwanted dogs, whatever the size or breed. As each of the Rat Terriers eventually moved on to the Happy Hunting Ground of Heaven, a stray dog would, without fail, show up on the doorstep.

He found Smokey, abandoned and wandering around a gas station pump. She stole Henry’s heart and became his constant companion for many years.

When the inevitable time came and she passed peacefully to join her former companions, my father-in-law was heartbroken. It is never easy to lose a loved one, be it human or animal, no matter what the age or reason.

It was a lonely drive as he traveled to the family farm for his monthly visit. He tried to steel himself as he passed every rest and potty stop that he and Smokey would frequent during that long trip.

Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. “I can’t deal with this,” he cried. “Lord, You’re going to have to help me.” He drove onto the farm, parked his car, and wearily began to unload his things.

Suddenly, something caught his attention—a tiny figure next to the farmhouse door. He moved in for a closer inspection and discovered a lively little Chihuahua investigating the porch.

After inquiries to neighbors and local officials, it was apparent that this little guy was homeless... dumped on the County Road to fend for himself. Henry made him part of his family and named him Chico.

Chico proved to be a family project. Scared and defensive, no one could get close without him yelping. One day, my mother-in-law, Betty, was lying on the couch and her hand slipped to the ground… right next to Chico. A “Grrrrrrrr!” immediately resounded from somewhere under the coffee table—her hand pushing the boundaries of his comfort zone.

However, as Henry and Betty persevered in their patient care for this wary soul, Chico progressed from whimpering at them to whimpering for them when they were out of his sight.

The final feat was actually picking him up, which had not been a tolerable move until now. With heavy BBQ gloves to protect against defensive teeth, they crossed this last hurdle. But they needn’t have bothered with the gloves. Chico lay perfectly peaceful in their ‘armory’… no animosity whatsoever expressed.

He became Henry’s faithful companion, following him everywhere and sleeping next to him in a small blanketed cardboard box by the bed.

The Lord displayed His grace by bringing these lives together: one with a broken heart, the other abused and homeless. He knows that in this life, we will go through trials and heartaches. But He promises, through Jesus, to deliver us out of them all in victory and with strength. His love is so great that He will reach out in answer to a simple prayer—even bringing an abandoned little dog to a man’s doorstep to help ease the pain of a loss. (1 John 4:14-16; Lamentations 3:21-23)

Henry and Chico

Shara Bueler-Repka

Shara Bueler-Repka is enjoying life as a singer/songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, and award-winning author. She and her husband, Bruce, live in their living quarters horse trailer and call “home” wherever their rig is parked. Their mail-base, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. She loves sharing God’s Word through music with her husband, riding their horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry, and writing about God’s grace in their various adventures on the trail less traveled.