Dog’s lives are too short. Their only fault, really. -Agnes Sligh Turnbull

“Detroit died. I don’t know what happened-if he got rat poison or what, but he’s gone.” My dad’s emotional voice message this morning filled my heart with great sorrow.

Detroit Snappenbarker Mendoza was the best Ol boy. We told him often- but he truly was. He was a mutt who joined our farm by default and took over management immediately. I think it was the second day on the farm, that he disappeared and after we called and called- a little fat black blur came hustling up from the calf barn- he was working his rounds making sure everything was accounted for.

Mother says it took a year and a half until he convinced her that he had a brain-but he was a good dog pretty much straight out the gate.

Detroit loved to ride on any piece of equipment-but if riding wasn’t an option he’d just run along side and manage.

He even wrote a blog or two. 😂

He took the move from the dairy to Singers Glen in stride and took over managing Airbnb guests with the same zeal that he had policed dairy traffic.

Faithful, Dependable, Persistent (if you dared stop petting him before he decided you were done-he’d tap on you with his paw until you’d pet him again) Energetic, Friendly… He could articulate emotion and understood English quite well. Don’t you dare mention going “on the truck” if you had no intentions of a passenger.

A good dog is truly man’s best friend and Detroit loved our family perfectly.

Almost 13 years is a long time for a dog, but it was still way to soon.

Thursday evening we had family night at the pond and Detroit was “fishing” beside the dock and splashing water loudly. I jumped his case for scaring all the fish away. I’m sorry, Ol Pal. 🥹

Father and the twins dug a hole with the high hoe and we loving laid our pup to rest. Seeing us cry is hard for a 3 year old to understand. “I don’t yike it to die. I want it to stand up and say ‘woof!’” Me too Isaiah, me too.

You were the best, Ol Boy. Thanks for all the memories and for your faithful service. We sure do love you.

I’m glad that God in his wisdom created an animal that can be such a perfect companion. And even if we’re a little teary today and questioning whether it actually is worth it- being loved by a good dog is such a gift.

And our family was well gifted. Rest in Peace, Detroit Snappenbarker Mendoza.

Kendra and the rest of the Horst family

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Eccl 7: 1. A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth 2. It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man,and the living should take this to heart. 3.Sorrow is better than laughter,for a sad countenance is good for the heart. 4. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

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I stopped on the porch of the white farmhouse and took in the bright blue sky and the beautiful colors of a perfect April day… Such a perfect day but my heart can only focus on the deep pain within. “Oh death where is your sting? Oh grave where is your victory?”

Earlier this week a young husband and father was taken suddenly in a bicycle accident. The viewing was today at his well tended farm. His in-laws are Ben’s family. I have countless memories of traveling with their family as well as butcher day here at home. My heart breaks for his wife, their young son and the extended family.

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We stopped to see my mom’s Aunt Edith. She suffered a major stroke 4 years ago this summer. She has suffered on and on.

She’s been unable to communicate for years now and We have prayed and prayed for her release. Recently things have changed even more for her and we think “Surely it won’t be long.” And yet she lingers. Waiting. My heart breaks again.

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It’s hard to process these realities of life and death. One taken so soon and another longing to go. And It’s impossible to understand. I lift tear-filled eyes and a broken heart to the Almighty Heavenly Father and in a crazy way, my heart is drawn to worship. His Ways are so beyond what my mind can grasp. “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!”

You are God and I am not – Dennis Jernigan

I run/ You run after
I hide/ You reveal
I cry/ You bring laughter
I hurt/ You heal
I’m weak/ You are able
I lack/ You’re enough
I turn/ You’re still faithful
I need Your love

I need Your provision
I’m lost / You’re the way
I’m confused / You are wisdom
I leave/ You stay
I fear/ You fear nothing
I’m blind/ You can see
I reject/ You are loving
You just love me

You are God, You are faithful
You are strong and You are able
You are God and I am not
And Lord I need you
You are God-all I’m needing
My Redeemer come redeeming

You are God and I am not
And Lord I need you

Reverently,

Kendra