Flash back... where have you been?

I remember posting on my other blog about our dog named Flash coming up missing on Christmas Day 2006. It was devastating to me and my 6 children. Flash is a Keeshond, highly trained. Not only does he know verbal commands, but he can switch from the verbal to ASL sign language. We spent a lot of time training him. More than that, he was a part of our family for over 2 years.

We mourned over him for months, hoping that he would come home, but facing the fact that he was likely run over or stolen... never to be seen again. We even tried to relieve the pain by getting another pup. A sweet Bishon Frise named Bear. We did not spend the time training Bear like we did Flash. Bear became our cuddle dog. He is so loving and cuddly. Very therapeutic. Bear always seems to know when I am having a hard time with the MS. He always has to go with me to pick up the kids from school. And Bear always checks on each child in the morning by hopping in their beds. Though Bear did help us get through the pain of missing Flash, we knew that nothing would replace Flash.

My 4 youngest children, even a couple of years after his disappearance, would still request prayer for Flash. They would even still write about him in their writing assignments. That tells you what kind of a dog he is.

Yesterday, I was resting in my room after lunch and I got a phone call from an unknown number.
"Do you have a dog named Flash?"
Confused, because it had been almost 2 1/2 years since that devastating Christmas morning, I assumed it was someone who either found his dead body or this was the breeder that we bought him from. "Yes, but he's been gone for over 2 years."
"He's alive and well and with us. We just scanned his micro-chip and received all of your information. Is this your dog? He's a Keeshond and the scan says his name is Flash."
I was initially speechless. I was in total shock.
"Flash? He's not dead? You have him? Who are you?"

It was an Animal Shelter on the border of Missouri and Bella Vista, AR. A 30 minute drive North. They told us a lady brought him in that lived in Missouri. This lady said that Flash was friendly and trying to hop into peoples cars. Was he trying to get home? Was he okay? Where has he been? What has he seen? Did anyone hurt him?

All these questions flooded my mind. I told her we were on our way... still in shock. The kids were both excited and in shock as well. As a matter of fact, Jayson, one of my twins, prayed in his kindergarten class at Lifeway with Mrs. Taylor that Flash would come home only one week before I got that phone call.When we approached the shelter, we wondered if he would remember us. We wondered if he would remember his sign language commands. We all hopped out of the car, walked up to where he was. He seemed very excited as were we. The first thing I did was the sign for 'speak' and he knew it... he knew it and all of the other sign commands... and he knew us. It was sweet. Indescribably sweet.

The prayers of my children that night were a pouring out of thanksgiving to God for letting them have Flash back. We immediately brought him to our vet in Rogers, New Hope Animal Hospital. We got him updated on all his shots and the vet checked him for injuries. Except for a little puncture wound on his back, he was healthy, though covered in big fat ticks and fleas. We brought him home and bathed him (and we are looking forward to that grooming appointment early next week).
...And then it donned on me that he has only known us as his family for half his life.

We are all still in shock because it seems more like he was once dead and now he's alive. My mind began reflecting on Christ. I can't imagine how the disciples and all those that witnessed the resurrected life of Jesus felt when they saw the Son of God alive after witnessing his brutal death and burial. As shocked as we were to see Flash again after his disappearance for over 2 years, they all must have been touching Christ, falling at His feet, hugging Him, hoping He would not leave again. Would I have been like doubting Thomas? Or would I have just fallen at His feet in tears? I don't know why I ask these questions or why my thoughts began reflecting on the precious story of the resurrection of my Lord. What I do know is that the Son has risen and He is alive and sitting at the right Hand of God the Father... and NOTHING compares to that truth. No... by far, not even a sweet dog named Flash that was missing for almost 2 1/2 years.

The vet said she had never heard a story like this before. I do know that if we had not micro-chipped Flash, we would have never had this second chance with him. I know some will say "It's just a dog" but he's our dog, we love him and we are so glad he's home. Now we just wish he could talk and tell us about his adventures these past few years. Where have you been? What have you seen? What happened that Christmas day of 2006? We will never know, but that's okay. Flash is back.