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Features: Levy County History
May 27th, 2002

Features: Climbing Above
May 22nd, 2002

Features: Zen Corner
May 22nd, 2002

Features: Cedar Key School Annual Athletic Awards
May 21st, 2002

Features: Food Pantry Gains Momentum
May 21st, 2002

Features: Levy County History
May 18th, 2002

Features: Baccalaureate Service
May 17th, 2002

Features: Rev. David Binkley to Speak
May 15th, 2002

Features: Weekend Fishing Report
May 14th, 2002

Features: Cedar Key History Article (Complete)
May 14th, 2002

Features: Bread of Heaven
May 14th, 2002

Features: Zen Corner
May 14th, 2002

Features: Interview with James McCain
May 10th, 2002

Features: Churches of Cedar Key Regular Events
May 8th, 2002

Features: Representatives of Cedar Key Organizations Express Concern About Food For The Needy
May 8th, 2002

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Best Friends

Best Friends

James Campbell, M.Div

I was talking to two of my fellow staff ministers as we were about to enter the church office. A young man stepped toward me and spoke, "Pastor, may I speak to you a moment?"

"Of course," I said. I looked at him. He was wearing shorts and a tee shirt and running shoes -- standard fare for our Pasadena neighborhood. With him was a large shepherd-like dog on a leash.

"Pastor, would you bless my dog?" he asked.

I must have paused. I had never in all my years been called on to bless an animal, but there was a look of pleading in his eyes. I turned to the dog who regarded me with disinterest. I took hold of his muzzle with one hand and formed a cross of blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with my other hand. Then I patted the animal on the head, and turned my attention back to the young man.

"Tell me about your dog," I said. It seemed to me that he had been crying; now his eyes filled with tears.

"He has an incurable disease. He is in a lot of pain. This afternoon, I am taking him to the vet to be put to sleep." He sobbed a moment and went on. "We have been together for eighteen years."

He raised his eyes to mine. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. There we stood, the three of us, for a moment. I put my hand on his left shoulder and with my right hand made the sign of the cross before him.

"I bless you also, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and pray that God will be with you through your sorrow." He smiled, called the dog by name, and slowly they walked off toward a car parked at the curb.

Surely, I thought to myself, God must have a place in His heaven where friends like that can be together.

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