Patience
During the warm days when she was outside all day, we could see her there through the window often waiting by the house for hours, knowing that I would eventually come out, and she wanted to be there when I did. And of course, she would have her ball there expecting I would want to play ball.

Friendliness
Whenever someone new came to the property, Liesl would unhesitatingly offer them her ball. If they didn’t know how to play ball, she was willing to teach them. She was gentle and patient particularly with children, laying the ball at their feet, inviting them with her looks to pick it up, and accommodating their awkward throwing skills.

Listening
She was a good listener. I would talk to her constantly. I don’t think she understood anything of what I said, but she listened because it was me who was talking, and she knew I had to tell someone what I was thinking, and she was happy to perform that service for me.

Companionship
Sure, she liked to play ball. But that was just her chosen way of interacting, which is all she really wanted. Put away the ball, and she still wanted to be with you. When we went on trips, she always wanted to go along. If we left her home, she was so very happy to greet us when we got back. If she was in the house, she wanted to be wherever we were. (We have stories of her coming into our bedroom at night, and her walking around upstairs looking for me.)

Respect
Some dogs can get into things and can even end up doing some damage – it’s in their nature – but though Liesl could be as inquisitive as any dog, she was always respectful for property. The only time I can remember that she did any damage was when she was caged in the back yard, and she chewed through the wire to get out – but I’m sure it was only because she was lonely and felt desperate – the house was clear out of sight, and she needed to find us.

I have learned from many persons in my life. Liesl to me was like a person and taught me some things better than any person could. So you see Liesl was not just a dog, but she was a close friend and faithful companion. You really don’t know how much they mean to you until after they are gone. Life will never be the same without Liesl. We miss her so very much.

I don’t expect all animals to rise in the resurrection with us people. But it is hard to imagine a resurrected life without animals. So I would like to think that in the resurrection, we get to pick what animals we want to come back and be with us. Of course this is just an apocryphal story – there is no evidence for it at all. But if anything like this turns out to be true, Liesl will be first on my list.

Harvey