Years ago, when I first ventured on to social media, one of my dear atheist friends asked me why I never debated religion and politics on sites such as Facebook. I explained that it wasn’t worth losing a friend over.

 

As we talked, he kindly asked me if I had to convince him of the existence of God with a quick concise statement, what would my talking point be. After a few seconds, I finally gave in and looked at my friend and said two words.

 

“A dog.”

 

My friend looked back and quizzed me, “What do you mean?”

 

My answer was that no creature could be on this earth that provided unconditional love and brought so much joy could simply be an accident. It was my proof.

 

As a smile broke on my friend’s face, he said “I still am not convinced, but it’s the best argument I’ve ever heard.”

 

Perhaps not ironically, it was the easiest statement I have ever made when asked to debate something religious or otherwise. And understand, myself making points on religion is not my strong suit. I live in a district far away from the foot of the cross and preaching to others on any matter of religion would be the ultimate in hypocrisy.

 

It was easy, though, because I had been exposed to what is truly unconditional love. I was introduced to that love thanks to the nagging of my wife Valerie more than a decade and a half ago to please go see this dog that needed a new home.

 

Although she was already in a good home, she was a pound pup whose own family that rescued her was growing and the owner was hoping to find this dog, not quite a year old, another good home. I think we provided her a good home. I know she made our home a better one.

 

That was nearly 17 years ago. The dog was our Doolie. She was a Beagle mutt and 100 percent love, fun and affection.

 

A week ago Friday, our little girl passed on. She was old and fragile, yet the love never left her body even as her breathe did. It’s a gift she gave us from the day we met her and it’s not going to leave us now or, for that matter, forever.

 

The past week has been a place so many others have been before. We’re not the first to lose a pet and we won’t be the last. Knowing that, however, hasn’t made these days any easier. In fact, watching her health fade over the last year hasn’t been easy on myself, my wife and our daughter Jordan.

 

For the most part, led by my wife, we adapted to her needs. Since March of 2017, she never left us. She made two trips to Myrtle Beach with us. She visited our daughter in Boston. She traveled with my wife and I as we went to Cleveland for a U2 concert, was on the road to Bald Head Island for a week-long vacation.

 

That was just in the past 15 months. She’s gone with us to Florida the Outer Banks, Pittsburgh, Snowshoe, Timberline, Greenbrier County, Pocahontas County and so many others I’m sure I’ve failed to mention.

 

We owed being there with her to make her life as stress free as possible. For every bad day I believed I had or for every time I felt bad, angry or sad, Doolie was there to greet me with a wagging tail and a few kisses. There’s no pill on the market that provided what she could do with her dark brown eyes that touched your soul.

 

With all that in mind, I can tell you the presence of our dog enhanced everything good in our family’s life and soothed the discomfort of that which was bad. She was a constant positive in our lives every second of every minute of every hour of every day for nearly 17 years.

 

From the moment my wife insisted I go see her and she greeted me with a wagging tail, I was in love. I remain so to this day and this very moment.

 

I write this in part to let so many of you know there are animals waiting for a chance to love you too. You don’t have to purchase a pure bred when the Humane Society both here and throughout this state and beyond has that perfect pet that will forever alter your life in the best ways possible.

 

It’s amazing that Doolie was a rescue dog. She rescued our entire family, and we all know it, in every way a family can possibly be rescued.

 

The only thing left is to see her one day again. They say animals cross into heaven over the Rainbow Bridge. I have to believe that’s the case.

 

If Doolie isn’t on the other side, I would change my argument and agree with my friend that heaven and God doesn’t exist. I’m sure, though, she’s there as God’s perfect creature. And I can’t wait to see that tail wagging one day soon.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Doolie wanting some attention as I watch a basketball game, while in the second photo she tries to make a new friend. In the third photo, Doolie enjoys her trip to the Outer Banks several years ago, whlle she's shown enjoying the sun at Myrtle Beach in March.