In today's Gospel, Luke 5:17-26, Jesus heals a paralyzed man. Stealing a line from Jane Siberry, this reminds me of my dog.

He has been our companion for over 12 years, following 25 years of resisting getting a pet. When our daughter, then aged 15, asked to go and see a puppy who had been born to a friend's dog, we fell in love with him, and here he is today. Right now, he is sleeping under the piano bench, one of his "safe places."

Bruiser is a medium sized dog of mixed breed and small brain. He is friendly and still mostly puppyish, if a bit of a wuss. He has given me occasion in previous Advents to muse about the nature of hope as I have experienced it in him. Dogs live to eat, and live in the hope that there will be food at every turn.

But today, he is not acting hopeful. He has been a bit arthritic for a couple of years, and went quite lame in the left hip over the weekend. He is refusing food, and is drinking almost nothing. Every time he stirs in his sleep, he moans. We had a regular appointment with his vet this afternoon, which looks like it will be more than the usual quick check-up.

People have wondered for centuries whether animals have souls, and whether pets go to heaven. I'm not going to try to give any answers to that, but what I know is this: Bruiser is suffering, he doesn't understand it, and all I want to do is to help.

So, off to the vet.
And a bit of prayer won't hurt either.