On Wednesday, June 20 at 6p, there was a celebration of Drover’s, our church dog, life. Here is an account by Janice:You would be pleased with Drover’s informal outside, service beginning with Drover stories before Ray started. We gathered by the fellowship hall door at the graveled lot. Dr. Grainger and his wife are very kind and appreciative of his being part of our church family. They opened with thankful words sprinkled with humor. All their children were there, and one daughter with a friend had just arrived today from Texas.Ray’s brief reading was perfect. The daughter who was really Drover’ s mom, held his nicely engraved wooden box from which part of his ashes went into hole by the back door. Sybil placed a large dog biscuit in the bottom! Graingers placed a rock on the tiny grave. Folks were able to share again at the end. Ann said, “I loved that dog. I brought him a piece of bacon every Sunday, giving him only half at time, because I knew he’d be back for the rest”. Ray gave a wonderful short tribute about his hidden sense of time, knowing it was Sunday, and knew when folks gathered at other times! He said, we shared treats and sometimes he brought us things like deer antlers and bones! Ava shared that she had treats in her cars and loved Drover.Janice shared how we even have alternate times for worship and Drover was always there on time. Drover’s mom laughed. I pointed out Ann and Ava to her and their close friendship with Drover, especially. She enjoyed that and said when she came home, she thought Drover was most boring of their dogs. She laughed and said, “Then, I realized he had a whole different life at Brown’s Chapel!”. Folks lingered to share more.A note from the Gangers:Thanks to all of you and to Ray for a nice service of committal and of farewell for Drover. We are all deeply touched at how important Drover was to the community of Brown’s Chapel and at the generosity with which you all welcomed him.
-Todd Granger