John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Sophie, my retriever cross, had started panting during our walks, so I took her to see our veterinarian. After a thorough examination, the vet deduced that it was most likely a touch of arthritis, due to Sophie's age. She also remarked how fit and agile Sophie was at the age of eleven. Her advice was to begin Sophie on a course of green-lipped mussel powder that has remarkable powers to relieve arthritic pain. Following said advice, I did so, and though Sophie still panted some, she seemed much improved, until the day that she wasn't.

It all began when we came in from our evening walk, and Sophie declined her meal. Considering the high heat that day, however, I was not concerned. The next morning when she declined her food again and I noticed her panting increasing at an alarming rate, as well as a weakness in her hind quarters, I knew that something was dreadfully wrong. As my veterinarian was away, I called another clinic, an hour away, who told me to transport Sophie immediately.

With my daughter's help, we carried Sophie to the car, and I was on my way. The vet assistant met me at the door, and after a preliminary blood panel was completed, the veterinarian informed me that Sophie was in kidney failure, and nothing could be done. Her symptoms pointed to a silent tumour on the kidney, something that does not normally reveal itself until it is too late, something to which retrievers are very prone. Something which, in turn, caused Sophie, in the vet's words, to throw a blood clot or stroke that was paralyzing her hind quarters and causing great pain. The veterinarian knew what needed to be done, and so did I, so I gave him permission to euthanize my beloved girl.

As I stood there in tears, with Sophie on the table beside me, and a friend who had graciously driven to the clinic standing with me, my friend said to me, "How very hard it is to make such a heartbreaking decision!" My answer to her came as a surprise to both of us, as I said, "Love always comes with a price tag."

Later, as I was walking for the first time in eleven years without Sophie at my side, I remembered those words and how true they are, especially for God. Let us be especially grateful to God, Who loved the world so much that He was willing to pay the price tag which demanded the death of His one and only precious Son, Jesus, Who lovingly came to earth to die, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Prayer: Thank You so much, Lord God, for being willing to pay the price of love for us, which demanded the death of Your beloved Son. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.