The Church Dog

Ollie.

I'm not sure how old a dog Ollie got to be. I've known him almost nine years and he wasn't a pup when we met. Today, Trinity Sunday 2008, Ollie died, peacefully, in his home. In the next days, there will be lots of Ollie memories shared amongst the St. Anne's family. Here are some of mine:

** Nails clicking on the tiled office floor as he came out of the rector's office to say hello.
** Ears flying as he rounded the corner from his usually successful search for any communion bread "returned to the earth."
** Doggie snores during a contemplative prayer session.
** Doggie farts during a meeting. (Ya just had to laugh!)
** That great Ollie smile when he recognized you.

Ollie had something special. He wasn't the prettiest dog I every met; he was a beagle/basset guy with big paws and a comic gait. He had his warts, bumps and lumps. He had a profound sense of companionship. He was quite the gentleman.

Ollie, Church Dog, rest in peace.