Rescued Chilean miner first questions are about his dog.

We all celebrated as the Chilean miners were successfully rescued yesterday. It is hard to imagine how any of us would handle being trapped 1/2 mile below the surface of the earth for 69 days. What would we think about, how would we maintain hope, what would the emotions be when we came back to our loved ones?

One of the news releases had this to say about Mario Sepulveda, the second miner to exit the rescue hole, ” he reached into a large yellow bag and handed out what appeared to be rocks to officials and rescue workers. Sepulveda cracked jokes in his first moments above ground and led the crowd in a cheer for Chile. As the 40-year-old was hauled away on a stretcher for his medical evaluation, he asked his wife, “How’s the dog?”

That might seem and odd question to some, but not to any of us dog lovers. We know how big the relationship is and how much “the dog” is part of the family.

Gene Hill may have said it best:

“He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me… whenever… wherever – in case I need him. And I expect I will – as I always have. He is just my dog.”