Caring for Albie

Caring for Albie

Don’t you just love people? the infinite variety of ordinary folk that one meets: in the queue at the till, or walking along the street, or in church. I enjoy some great conversations with complete strangers — people are so friendly up north — it was one of the first things I noticed when we came to live here 37 years ago.

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I went for a walk in Laithwaite Wood, by Crummock. We me a little old lady, walking two dogs. One was quite young and frisky. The other dog, a collie, was obviously elderly, and she had him on a lead. As she walked along, she was talking to this old dog, helping him along by her encouragement. We noticed with surprise that she actually took her shoes off and paddled across the river below the waterworks, leading this dog. Fortunately the water was low.

We caught up with her, and asked her about the dog. She told us that she and her husband had found him abandoned near Dunmail Park in Workington. They had taken him initially to the Animal Refuge, but no one claimed him. The vet found that Albie (the name he was given) was totally blind, partially deaf and his heart function was very poor. No one would have taken Albie home from the Refuge — but this couple did just that, and they decided to look after Albie for the rest of his days.

So here she was, taking blind old Albie walking, encouraging him along by the sound of her voice — and the old fellow was showing interest and sniffing at the grass and plants around. The reason she didn’t use the steep stone steps and bridge over the river was for Albie’s sake — steps are difficult for a blind dog with little energy.

Sarah told her she thought she was wonderful in her love and care for Albie, and we said goodbye and walked back down the path, and simultaneously both of us burst into tears!

The love Albie was receiving at the end of his life was somehow to us a picture of the love and care our heavenly Father has for each of us, be we able-bodied, or disabled like Albie. He gently leads us like a shepherd, and pours his love out upon each one of us.

This lady seemed to show such unusual love. I hope that there will be someone willing to take off their shoes to lead me across the water or some difficult place when I need it — and that I may be willing to do this for a person in need. There is something of God in each of us, and maybe we were privileged to see a certain glory that afternoon.