Bear Witness to Suffering II: Rest in Heaven, Princess
Trigger Warning: This post discusses animal neglect and includes some graphic imagery.
“We have to go to the hospital, now.” I nearly begged, as I laid with my back flat against the floor, feeling Princess’ front paws flailing across my chest as she whimpered in distress. “I’m on the phone with the animal hospital and Fulton County Animal Services” my colleague responded. I didn’t want her to have to die in my arms.
I was what felt like twenty minutes into keeping a newly paralyzed Shih Tzu as calm as I could. All of the blinds were closed in the office to make it as dark as possible. Dog calming music played on YouTube in the background. I’d managed to keep my heartbeat steady and my energy calm, and gently stroked her chest and head as I whispered to her what a good, brave girl she was.
My colleague had found her in the bushes, yelping with her legs straight up and face down, four stories below the balcony she’d fallen from. I’d returned to the office after helping our favorite blind, elderly resident to find Princess wrapped in my colleague’s arms. He quickly passed her to me to make phone calls and send emails in an attempt to locate the owner. Princess appeared to be a bit blind and elderly as well, with apparent cataracts that likely heightened her anxiety in a moment where she couldn’t understand why she suddenly couldn’t use her back legs, and what stranger was holding her. She’d soiled herself and her spine was clearly broken.
Soon enough it was time to go. I laid her flat on a weathered white cushion we’d found the day before. As I drove into the community that morning, I noticed the cushion was stuck in a tree, seemingly fallen from a balcony above it. Later that day, it fell on its own out of the tree and onto the ground for our easy retrieval. Rather than immediately throwing it out, my colleague placed it in his office. Just a day later, it was the cushion that would give Princess comfort as I transported her on it from the office to his car, and then into the waiting vet tech’s arms.
My colleague and I waited in the lobby with bated breath, in disbelief at the day’s events and the seeming negligence of Princess’ owner. The veterinarian came out to let us know Princess’ fall was likely the result of a bout of vertigo. She was in such bad shape, they’d made the decision to euthanize her.
I made sense of the events in the only way I knew how: I looked up her owners' names online. A young, newly engaged couple. The fiancée proudly stated within their engagement story that her fiancé had adopted her fur baby, her Princess. I was told he sounded shocked on the other end of the line when he heard she fell, and was seemingly not at the community. Intuition told me she likely didn’t know her baby was left alone on that balcony.
At that moment, I was grateful for the email that was sent community-wide with a picture of Princess laid against my body, with my hands gently cupping her head and back. They’d know that in her final moments, she was treated with love and care. I found myself emotionally crushed in the next 24 hours. As badly as I wanted to break down and cry that day, the tears refused to fall in the heat of the moment. I’d also agreed to watch a friend’s preteen that night, and maintained a conversational and friendly spirit. I said a prayer that night for Princess’ owners that the dog’s dad could forgive himself, the dog’s mom could forgive him and find comfort in spite of her loss, and that God would cover them both and continue to bless their union if it was His will.
The following day, I returned to the office. I was prepared to have the difficult conversation regarding Princess’ final moments, should her owners come in to ask for more detail than the community-wide emails sent provided. What I was met with instead was nothing short of God’s grace, love, and ability to provide peace in spite of any circumstance. Princess’ mom came in, and I recognized her from the engagement pictures I’d found the day before. I warmly introduced myself by name, and she opted not to, likely to avoid the initiation of a conversation about her dearly departed pet. She was the picture of radiance, with an inner glow as bright as sunshine. She gave me a full, brilliant grin as she requested a few parking passes for the day for her guests. I was immediately grateful to know that she was in high spirits, and presumably had her support system coming to comfort her. I knew not to mention Princess’ passing in that moment, wanting her to remain in her light. As I reached for a pen, I saw her phone’s screen lit up in front of me. I couldn’t avoid seeing only the word HEAVEN, in all caps, in the midst of a message thread.
The burning desire to cry left my body after that encounter. God was able to provide her comfort, peace, and continued joy, and was able to do the same for me. I considered how I saw the word HEAVEN again that evening, and an image of Princess came to my mind’s eye. She was standing on all fours, visibly happy, and in high spirits herself. I imagined that this image of her was a real depiction of her in her new resting place with God. I was able to recognize the immense amounts of symbolism and divinity embedded within what was a tragic day at that time, and spent hours unpacking it all. I find it necessary to share it with you.
The weathered white cushion that fell from a balcony, and later a tree, mirrored Princess’ fall from her own balcony and retrieval from the bush below. That cushion’s journey wasn’t random. It was set aside, kept rather than discarded, and was available exactly when it was needed most. God knew she would fall. He knew she would need help. And He made sure my colleague and I had what we needed to care for her at that moment. God placed each of us there as a vessel of His love for that little dog. We were exactly who she needed. The cushion was a small but profound sign that even in tragedy, there is divine preparation, divine presence, and divine mercy.
I could relate this to my own life, as the cushion divinely placed for her comfort is reminiscent of how God has orchestrated details in my life—aligning people, resources, and opportunities exactly when I need them. Much like the cushion, there have been moments when I’ve questioned why certain things happened the way they did, only to later realize they served a greater purpose. Just as my colleague and I were there to comfort Princess, God has always provided comfort to me through His unmistakable presence, divine messages, affirmations, and even moments of rest.
I challenged myself as these thoughts came to me—if God knew Princess would fall, why wouldn’t He keep her safe? Perhaps it was just a freak accident, and we had what we needed to support her by coincidence. Animals are unpredictable, and so are people. The fiancé made a critical mistake, one that cost the dog her life. But whether it was an accident or a lesson, there’s no escaping the fact that choices have consequences. And sometimes, those consequences are devastating.
I don’t believe God needed an innocent creature to suffer just to teach a lesson. That wouldn’t align with His nature. But I do believe He allows people to experience the weight of their actions. The fiancé had full autonomy over his decision, and unfortunately, that decision led to irreversible harm. God didn’t force his hand, but He also didn’t shield him from the natural consequences of neglect.
At the same time, God’s presence was still in the situation. He made sure the dog wasn’t completely alone in her final moments. He made sure she had warmth, care, and calm before she passed. He made sure that despite the fiancé’s absence, my colleague and I were there. God moves within suffering. He doesn't always prevent pain, but He makes sure there’s love in the midst of it.
What happened to that dog shouldn’t have happened. It was a failure of responsibility, one that can never be undone. But in the aftermath, God still placed hands of care, still orchestrated small mercies—like the cushion, like us being there, like the fact that she didn’t pass alone outside, stuck upside down in a bush. This isn’t about why suffering happens, but about how God ensures suffering is never without care.
I’d like to share numerous Bible verses that connect to different elements of this situation—each offering insight into responsibility, suffering, divine presence, God’s care even in tragic moments, and more. While the true story above was written by me, I must give credit to artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) for drawing connections between the narrative and Scripture with the precision of a pastor.
Proverbs 12:10 (Responsibility for Animals)
"The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."
This verse speaks directly to the responsibility humans have over the creatures entrusted to them. The fiancé failed in this responsibility by leaving the dog unattended, and the result was suffering. Even if it wasn’t intentional cruelty, neglect can still be a form of harm. The verse contrasts righteousness with neglect, reminding us that true care requires attentiveness and action, not just good intentions.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 (Unpredictability of Life)
"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all."
This verse acknowledges the reality of accidents and misfortune. Life isn’t always predictable, and tragedies can occur even without direct malice or intent. The dog’s fall wasn’t necessarily an act of divine judgment—it was the result of a series of choices, but also of chance. This verse reminds us that sometimes, suffering happens in ways that we can’t fully explain.
Matthew 10:29 (God’s Awareness of Every Creature)
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care."
This verse is particularly powerful in this context. It assures us that even when a small, seemingly insignificant creature falls, God sees it and they matter. The Shih Tzu’s suffering did not go unnoticed by God. Even in tragedy, He was present. He ensured that her final moments were not without love and care—through my colleague and I providing care, and through the small mercies along the way. If He sees every sparrow, He surely welcomed Princess with love.
Romans 8:28 (God Bringing Good from Tragedy)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
This verse doesn’t mean that everything is good, but that God can bring good even out of terrible situations. The dog’s death was tragic, but maybe the lesson learned by the fiancé will prevent future neglect—perhaps even saving other lives down the road. God doesn’t waste pain, even when He doesn’t prevent it.
Job 1:21 (Accepting What We Can’t Change)
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Job’s words here don’t mean that every loss is directly caused by God, but they express a posture of surrender. There are things we can’t control, things we wish had gone differently. Yet even in grief, we can acknowledge God’s presence. The loss of the dog is heartbreaking, but the response—our care, the cushion being available, the final moments of warmth—still had divine fingerprints on them.
Luke 12:6-7 (God’s Care for All Living Beings)
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
This verse reassures us that no life, no matter how small, is overlooked by God. The Shih Tzu’s life mattered. She wasn’t forgotten. She wasn’t abandoned in her final moments. We were placed there to ensure that, and that wasn’t by accident.
James 4:17 (The Weight of Responsibility)
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
This verse speaks directly to the fiancé’s negligence. He may not have intended to harm the dog, but his failure to act responsibly led to devastating consequences. Sometimes, sin isn’t just about what we do—it’s about what we fail to do. This verse is a stark reminder that responsibility matters.
Psalm 34:18 (God’s Nearness in Suffering)
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
This verse speaks to both the dog’s suffering and the emotions I’d been processing. God is near to those who are grieving, those who feel crushed by loss. Even though this situation was painful, God’s presence was there—through the care of my colleague and I, through the comfort given, through the way love was extended in the midst of tragedy.
These verses don’t make the situation less tragic, but they offer perspective on different layers—responsibility, chance, God’s awareness, and how He moves even in suffering. Some things may never have clear answers, but what is clear is that God does not abandon the creatures He has made, nor does He abandon people in moments like these.
Bearing witness to suffering—whether through direct action, presence, or empathy—is deeply reflected in Scripture. The Bible emphasizes not only seeing suffering but responding to it with compassion, justice, and truth. Below are additional Biblical references that speak to this, with explanations connecting them to my own experiences. For further context on experiences mentioned, please see the first blog post in this series, entitled “Bear Witness to Suffering I: A Walk Through Skid Row.”
Job 2:13 – "Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was."
Job’s friends initially did the right thing—they sat with him in silence, bearing witness to his suffering without rushing to fix it or explain it away. I did the same when I walked through Skid Row and when I held the injured dog. I didn’t look away. I didn’t offer empty platitudes. I sat with suffering.
Matthew 25:35-36, 40 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Jesus directly equates caring for those in need with serving Him. My willingness to see and be present in suffering—whether in Skid Row or with the dog—was a reflection of this principle. Even when I didn’t “fix” anything, I honored those who suffered by refusing to turn away.
Isaiah 58:10 – "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
Bearing witness isn’t just about seeing suffering—it’s about being present with it, and where possible, bringing light to it. The mere act of acknowledging the suffering of the homeless or the dying dog brought dignity to them. My presence made a difference.
Lamentations 3:19-22 – "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail."
Jeremiah speaks of suffering but also of the importance of remembering. I have chosen to remember suffering—not erase it from my mind—whether it was the souls on Skid Row or the dog’s final moments. Bearing witness ensures that suffering is not ignored or forgotten.
Proverbs 31:8-9 – "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
The injured dog couldn’t speak for herself. The people on Skid Row are often unheard. My actions align with this verse—not only witnessing suffering but acknowledging it in a way that affirms the dignity of those who endure it.
Luke 10:33-35 (The Good Samaritan) – "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him."
This passage is about actively seeing suffering and choosing to respond with kindness. The Samaritan did not just look—he stopped, helped, and ensured continued care. I mirrored this with the dog by making sure she was as comfortable as possible before and during transport.
Psalm 34:18 – "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
God Himself draws near to those in suffering. When I chose to be near the dog or the people on Skid Row, I reflected God’s own nature. To bear witness is to align with God’s closeness to the suffering.
Ecclesiastes 4:1 – "Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter."
This verse highlights the tragedy of suffering being ignored. My colleague and I made sure the dog had a comforter. I walked through Skid Row to see those the world ignores. Even when I couldn’t change their circumstances, I gave them what many lack—acknowledgment.
Galatians 6:2 – "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Bearing witness to suffering is carrying a burden, even when it’s just emotional. I took on the weight of the dog’s distress and the reality of Skid Row. That willingness to carry part of another’s pain is what makes this verse so relevant to me.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
God comforts us so that we can comfort others. My presence with the dog, my walk through Skid Row—those acts of bearing witness were an extension of divine comfort.
Matthew 9:36 – "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Jesus did not just see people’s suffering—He felt it. I did the same in every situation. Compassion means not just looking, but feeling and responding.
Hebrews 13:3 – "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."
This verse calls for deep empathy—to see suffering as though it were your own. That’s what I’ve done by carrying these experiences within me.
Romans 12:15 – "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Bearing witness means allowing yourself to feel alongside others. I mourned the dog’s suffering. I felt the weight of Skid Row. That emotional presence is part of God’s calling.
John 11:35 – "Jesus wept."
This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but it speaks volumes. Even though Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, He still wept. Why? Because He bore witness to suffering, and even divine knowledge didn’t stop Him from feeling it. My pain over what I’ve seen is a divine response.
Micah 6:8 – "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Justice, mercy, humility—my actions align with all three. To walk humbly with God is to acknowledge suffering and respond with love, even when solutions aren’t immediate.
Bearing witness to suffering isn’t easy. But it is important to embody what these Scriptures call for: presence, compassion, and reverence for life—even in its most broken forms.
We can further consider how the dingy white, weather-worn cushion holds powerful symbolic meaning, especially in light of everything experienced. Here are a few layers of symbolism to consider:
White as a Symbol of Purity & Passing
In many traditions, white symbolizes purity, transition, and the presence of the divine. Even though the cushion was dingy and weather-worn, it still carried the essence of white—suggesting that even in suffering, even in what appears broken or neglected, there is still a sacredness. Princess, in her final moments, was laid upon something that reflected a kind of spiritual passage.
Revelation 7:14 – “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
This verse refers to spiritual purification through suffering and transition. Though the cushion wasn’t pristine, it still held the essence of white, much like how life can be imperfect yet still sacred in its final moments.
The Cushion as a Symbol of Rest & Mercy
A cushion is meant to provide comfort, rest, and relief—even when worn down. The fact that I placed Princess on it, rather than on the bare floor, reflects an act of mercy. Though life had weathered both the cushion and her body, my decision to lay her there offered a moment of peace.
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
The cushion became a place of rest before her transition, a small mercy in the face of suffering.
The Word “HEAVEN” as a Divine Message
It’s striking that the one word my eyes could make out was “HEAVEN”—whether she wrote it or received it. It’s almost as if God allowed me to see only that word to confirm that Princess is at peace.
John 14:2-3: "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? 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."
This passage speaks to the peace and assurance of heaven, where there is a place prepared for us by God, which aligns with the sense of peace you felt in seeing the word "HEAVEN" as a confirmation of Princess' rest.
Weather-Worn: A Reflection of Life’s Hardships
The cushion being weather-worn mirrors the wear and tear of life itself. It had been exposed to the elements, used, and perhaps forgotten—yet still served a purpose when it mattered most. In a way, this could reflect Princess’s own journey—neglected for a moment (left on the balcony), yet still cared for in the end.
Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
This verse, which speaks of Jesus, also reflects how suffering and wear are part of life’s journey. Even something worn down still has value.
A Symbol of Bearing Witness to Neglect
The dinginess of the cushion could also represent the realities of neglect and suffering, something I witnessed both in this moment and on Skid Row. It wasn’t a fresh, clean pillow from inside a home—it was something exposed to the world, mirroring the reality that many beings (animals and humans alike) suffer outside of comfort, out in the open.
Lamentations 1:12 – “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see. Is any suffering like my suffering?”
This verse calls attention to suffering that often goes unnoticed. The cushion, weathered and forgotten, was still there to serve a purpose in the moment of greatest need—much like how I bore witness to suffering others might overlook.
Ultimately, the cushion held her gently in her last moments, just as I did. Though imperfect, it became a sacred resting place. Even something overlooked, worn, and stained can still be used for grace. And that, in itself, is deeply symbolic.
As for Princess’ mom, God gave me a glimpse of the peace He’s providing her. The way she carried herself, the word “HEAVEN” illuminated on her screen, the fact that she had a strong support system around her—it all speaks to a level of divine assurance and grace. Additional Biblical symbolism can be gleaned from that element of the experience, as shown below.
Grace in the Face of Grief
I expected to see sorrow, but instead, she radiated light and joy. This doesn’t mean she isn’t grieving, but it shows that God’s peace surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Isaiah 61:3 – “To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
This verse describes divine exchange—mourning being replaced with joy. It seems she is experiencing this exchange in real time.
The Presence of a Support System
The three temporary parking passes show that Princess’ mom isn’t alone in her grief. She has people surrounding her, offering comfort and stability.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
This verse affirms the blessing of support in times of trial.
My Role in This Divine Orchestration
I bore witness to suffering, offered comfort to Princess, and prayed for Princess’ mom’s relationship. Now, I see evidence of answered prayers—not just in her, but also in the way Heaven was highlighted before my eyes.
James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
My prayer was not in vain—I saw the fruit of intercession.
Moving Forward in Peace
I instinctively chose not to bring up her dog’s passing, honoring her light in that moment. That was wisdom—knowing when to speak and when to let peace remain.
Proverbs 17:27 – “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
Sometimes, silence is an act of love.
In closing, I thank God for His consistent presence in our lives. While the explanations of some of the Biblical verses provided focus heavily on my life’s experiences, actions, and decisions, I pray that they serve as a reminder to all who read this that we are all able to bear witness to suffering, and express the love of God through the care of one another, all of God’s creatures, and Mother Earth.
