A year and a half ago, my family lost our beloved fourteen-year old, four-legged furry child. "Dog Who Hunts Everything" was the subject of more than one blog and lots of object lessons in my spiritual life. With several other challenges and losses in our life, perhaps we grieved more and longer than might be expected. Our house tangibly felt cold and empty and sad.

Roughly six months after our dog died, I saw a tender expression cross my grieving son's face as he interacted with someone's dog. I asked, almost wistfully, "Do you think we'll ever be ready for another dog?"

His answer was, "Dad and I have been ready, Mom. It's you who isn't been ready." I knew that I hadn't been ready, but I did not realize that everyone else was. I decided I need to pray about it and get onboard. I certainly didn't want to hold my guys back from healing.

So a few weeks later, I told them I was ready. I asked them how we should proceed, whether we should find a kennel, the Humane Society, want ads?

Hubby wisely and firmly said, "We aren't going to look at all. If God wants us to have another puppy, He will bring one to us." "Great," I thought, "I suppose God is going to put a puppy on our doorstep." I prayed, with some irritation and lots of resignation, and told God that my husband was firm. If we were to have a puppy, it would have to be divinely provided and delivered to my doorstep. I slept, and dreamed that we had a black and white puppy.

Silly me.

Within the week, I got a text message from my niece. Which is another miracle for another blog, because family relations have been strained the past several years and I had not had much contact with my niece. She was moving into her first dorm for her first days ever at college.

But her text stopped me short. "Any chance you guys want a puppy? There's an abandoned baby puppy at the dorm and I can't keep it. The Humane Society won't take it because they're full. He's awfully soft and cute and I don't know what else to do."

I don't know why I asked, but I did. "What color is he?"

"Black and white."

"But sweetie, you're five hours away from me. How would I get the puppy?"

"We'll bring him to you, because my classes haven't started yet."

I hurriedly called a family meeting and everyone agreed. We were getting a puppy!

As soon as I laid eyes on the little black fur ball, I was head over heels in love with the little guy. We laughed so hard we cried as we watched him play. Before my very eyes, I saw a softening in my husband's face. My son, who had been so withdrawn and sad for so very long, began to wake up as if from a slumber. I love the sound of his laugh, and it had been way too long since a smile had even crossed his face.

God, our Great Physician and Healer! He provides good medicine specifically tailored for whatever ails us. This time, good medicine was in the form of a black and white fluff ball with four legs.