Learning From Yellow Dog Lesson 2

We had just finished saying good-bye to Otis yesterday. We sat in the vehicle and wept as they put him to sleep. I finally gained my composure and decided I needed to go into NAPA to buy a new headlight for our vehicle. Surely I could keep my emotions together in a parts store!
I walked into the store and much to my surprise was greeted by ... a big yellow dog. I'm thinking he was a lab but I really didn't notice. I just wanted to keep myself from falling apart in the auto parts store (when was the last time you saw a 50 year old man crying in NAPA?!). I ignored the dog as best I could and went up to the counter and told the guy what I needed. He looked it up on the computer and walked back to the shelf to get the bulb. Right then, Yellow Dog sat down beside me and put his muzzle in my hand and licked it. By the time the guy returned with my headlight ... I had tears welling up in my eyes and rolling down my face. He looked at me with the strangest expression and told the dog to leave me alone. He never said a word to me but obviously thought that this old man had cracked (which I had). I paid for the bulb and left the store with tears flowing freely. I'm sure I was the topic of conversation when I left!
I thought about that yellow dog several times yesterday and last night. Maybe I just had some left over smells on my hand ... or maybe he knew I was hurting and did what he could. He didn't preach me a message, didn't say a word ... he just licked my hand. I wonder ... how aware am I of those around me who need someone to sense that they are hurting and simply need someone to sit down and, well, maybe not lick their hand but simply be with them. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and I believe there are plenty of folks around us who would be as blessed as I was yesterday if someone was willing to just come and sit by our side for a few minutes ... not say a word ... but just love on them.
Late last night I wrote "Yellow Dog" a note of thanks. This morning I taped it on the nearly new box of Milkbones that Otis always loved so much. I walked into NAPA again and the guys behind the counter looked at me like "Oh no, it is nutcase again!". One of them finally said, "What can we do for you today?" I said, "Nothing, just here making a delivery." He looked at the box and said jokingly, "Milkbones?" ... thinking he was being funny. "Yep" I replied. I sat them on the counter and wished them good day as I walked out. I didn't cry til I was outside ... but then I never saw Yellow Dog either!