“ Our Critters Christmas Miracle”
Last Christmas Eve my husband and I spent the day searching for one of our rescue dogs. She was a small Border Collie mix we lovingly named “Pebbles”. She had slipped her leash on the way home from an adoption in MD. The adopter did not have enough patience with a younger dog and she gave up on Pebbles, in my opinion just a little too fast. The volunteer who was transporting Pebbles back to us was heart broken that Pebbles ran away on her watch. She had spent hours looking for Pebbles in the rocky mountainous area where she was last seen.
Pebbles had escaped the confines of her leash just outside of Lexington VA. In no time we had a dedicated group of Volunteers combing the rugged terrain of the area. There were many sightings of Pebbles from various locales but no one was able to secure or capture her. I knew time was running out. Pebbles was out on her own at the worst time ever. Most of that area of VA as well as where we lived had been blanketed by at least a foot of snow. The temperatures were frigid as well. My dreams were filled of my little dog and I felt as if she was willing us to come take her home. That is the only way I know to describe my feelings.
The night before Christmas Eve my husband and I decided to go look for Pebbles one last time. We drove the many hours up 1 81 to the location she was last seen at. Our plan was to get up at the faint crack of dawn and start looking for our beloved canine friend. So that is what we did.
We combed the rough snow covered terrain, We had searched all day with no luck. We saw many signs that she had graced the area but we had no sightings of her. I could feel her near with every being of my body, yet with each plea I made calling her name my heart sank that much further. Time was running out. Soon we would have to go.
We were about to give up and my husband decided to climb down in to a very deep ravine that was coated with snow and ice. It was very steep and it was hard to walk and remain upright. As he descended down into the abyss I searched the higher ground. After what seemed like hours calling and searching ,my heart was breaking. I felt so helpless and defeated. I plopped down on the back bumper of our van. I bowed my head and said “Lord I do not want to go home without my dog”. As soon as I uttered those words my cell phone rang. On the other end was the ecstatic voice of my husband. He simply said “ I have found her”. I had never felt such joy in my life as I did at that minute. Soon afterwards my husband appeared gallantly carrying Pebbles out of the grasp of the rugged wilderness. It was if he was a knight carrying a Princess out of the grip of a falling kingdom! What a sight it was to behold. He had Pebbles tucked under his coat, and as I got close enough to her, she kissed my face. She was as happy to see me as I was her. I uttered THANK YOU LORD!
The happenings of Christmas Eve stayed with me though out the year. When things got tough and I thought I did not have a friend in the world the memory of finding little Pebbles always enters my mind. I am reminded that no matter how helpless I feel someone up above is always listening. Little Pebbles had been on her own the in blinding bitter weather for almost 11 days. It was truly a miracle that we found her. I thank God that he was listening when I made my plea to him that cold winter day.
May you and your family experience a little Christmas Miracle of your own. May it permeate thought your soul and heart for the duration of the upcoming new year. It truly is the simple things in our lives that we should be most thankful for!
Merry Christmas,
Barry,Betty & Blake Haynes
Pebbles & The Other Precious Souls Of Our Critters
