A Word from Rabbi Schulman - 1/22/21

I was not happy when Eve called me on my cell phone and said, “We’re at the shelter and Rebecca has fallen in love with a puppy and we are on our way home.”

Though I was startled by the abrupt timing, I knew I really didn’t have a choice. When Rebecca became a Bat Mitzvah, Eve and I agreed she could adopt a dog; a first for our family. Her older siblings were moving away and we knew she would want companionship.

Back then, I was not what you would call a dog lover. I never had one growing-up and I had concerns about caring for a dog in our very busy household.

Buddy and I did not fall in love at first sight. An Australian Cattle Dog mix, he was rambunctious and very hard to train.

A year later, when we left Houston and moved to an apartment in San Francisco, it fell to me to take Buddy out upon waking. I did not relish heading outdoors to Alamo Square early in the morning in all kinds of weather.

However, over the years, I grew ever more fond of Buddy. He was super smart, mischievous, affectionate, and fiercely protective of his family.

I grew to love him very much. So it broke my heart when he died early this past Monday morning. He had a heart condition and had been declining over the last months.

I share this message about Buddy with you for a specific reason. I know many of you who have dogs, cats, and other animals who are woven into your lives. When they die, you grieve for them. I never fully understood why until now. But after Buddy’s passing, I do.

The sorrow we feel is a reflection of our bond with our animal companions. May happy memories of our beloved pets bring us comfort and smiles.