Bilbo the dog

We know the word God is spelled G-o-d. Just reverse these
letters and they become d-o-g. God and dog go together.
In this case, 'dog’ means faithfulness. A dog, in the spiritual
sense, represents infinite faithfulness; it is symbolic of
God as faith. This is very significant.

-- Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/aspiration-plants/8.html

Bilbo is my parents' dog. They named him after the Tolkien character because, like the hobbit, he was smallish but very brave, in a very wise, cautious, farmer-like sort of way.

Bilbo was no knight, and yet he could have been one, and an exceptionally good one as well.

Bilbo was born on April 15 1996. Even as a puppy he always followed my mother anywhere in the house and garden, like a smaller shadow with shining eyes -- true-blue loyalty and devotion.

His enthusiasm and boundless energy never made him restless or aggressive. Never he snarled up or bit any one of us. Even if you fed him a treat with your hand, he would very, very carefully take it first with his lips, then softly with his teeth, avoiding with utmost care to touch your fingers.

Still he was a born hunter and a spirited, thorough, exceptional guard.

He was also a most careful baby-sitter for his masters' little nephews. He had a special way of kissing. He used to lick his muzzle looking at you straight in the eyes, like licking your face, but from a distance, knowing you may not want your face washed just yet.

In the evenings his masters would be sitting, watching that noisy-shiny-smelless thingy next to the wall. That was the best time to slowly, oh so slowly, approach one of them (my mother especially) and crawl up her bended knees (if such a thing can ever be done by a dog), curling on her lap -- the perfect velvety blanket.

His favourite sport was chasing things. He adored a small, green rubber ball that he managed to carefully shred to bits after many, many throw-and-catch games. He was such a good, good, good dog.

I was by his side when he passed on. Even if not very old, for a mixed-breed at least, he lingered for two days and yesterday, at 3:06 pm, he breathed his last and almost literally kicked the bucket.

He gave himself entirely to my parents -- his masters. I did not have the chance to see him as much as the rest of my relatives, yet a strong, silent friendship developed between us. I am so fond of him.

Dear Bilbo, I know God is taking an exceptionally good care of you. You deserved it.

I learned so many things from you. I am so grateful to you. I hope to meet you again, one day.

Priyadarshan -- 7 November 2007

A dog is faithfulness.
If someone wants to be God's most faithful dog,
God tells him that He is his slave.

-- Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/rainbow-flowers/25.html

Dog, my dog,
Heaven's faithfulness
And
Earth's faithfulness
Put together
Have no match for your faithfulness.
Man needs your heart to succeed.
God needs your soul to proceed.

-- Sri Chinmoy

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/animal-kingdom/17.html