It is amazing the things you get used to in this life. It is amazing the things you miss when they are gone. It was the start of Daylight Savings Time, the night when we all move our clocks forward an hour. I didn’t want to wake up too early and I didn’t want to sleep in too late. This, of course, only caused me to over think things and wake up during the middle of the night.

When I woke up, though, I was disturbed by how quiet the room was. The desk fan was on low and the electric heater had kicked on and was running noisily but it still seemed strangely quiet to me. Something still seemed missing. It was only then I realized that I didn’t hear a snoozing beagle snoring away. My beagle dog, Snoopy had passed away over a year ago. As she had gotten older and her health had declined she had started to snore loudly when she slept. If you could rate her snoring on a volume knob she would be cranked up to an eleven. At first I had found her snoring annoying. It made it harder for me to fall asleep myself. Yet, as time passed it became pleasing. She became my own personal white noise machine and when I woke up during the night her snoring would comfort me and ease me back to sleep.

Now her snoring was gone and it was so quiet. My new rescue dog, Sweetie slept silently curled up in her corner. I sighed and remembered all the joy Snoopy had given me over the years. She never judged me, she never argued with me, and each day she gave me the gifts of laughter and unconditional love. I smiled and hoped Snoopy’s snoring wasn’t keeping the angels awake in Heaven. Then I thanked God for all of our furry friends and the happiness they bring.

Life here is short for dogs and for us. Embrace each second of it. Enjoy the pleasures it brings. Share your love with God and all of His creatures. Live each day like it was your last. And thank God for all of His gifts, even if they are a dog that could snore like a freight train.