Rufus, The Dog Who Went To Church

During the course of someone’s career in the ministry, many interesting and unforgettable stories are experienced. Peter and his family would never have imagined that one of their most memorable stories centered on their dog, Rufus.

It was a very hectic time for Peter’s family as they planned to move to a new city. The preparations seemed endless. The house was filled with boxes from one end to the other; everything was labeled to make it easy to find a household item quickly. “Have you seen the toothpaste?” “I left it in the bathroom; I won’t pack it until the morning just before we leave.” “It is all gone.” “We used it up? Well, there should be another tube in the box with the household goods. You’ll find it somewhere in the front room.” “All the front room packages are already packed on the truck!”

Some people describe moving as exciting; some people look forward to the new challenges and opportunities they will have; Peter’s family described the moving process as “utter chaos”. As they prepared for their move, my friends’ normal routine didn’t exist. Human beings seem to adapt well in chaotic times, but for dogs it isn’t so easy.

Preparations for the move began a month earlier; they wanted to make the final days in their “old” home as carefree as possible. For their dog, Rufus, the move was disturbing. Dogs have an innate sense about moving that we cannot imagine. For more than a month, Rufus was not his usual-canine-self. He could tell that something was up. He became very anxious every time that the family left home without him. He wanted to go with them everywhere. He did not want to be left alone. A few weeks earlier, Rufus was left in a kennel for a couple of days when the family was out of town. He was especially jittery after that experience; he had never acted that way when kenneled before.

Moving day finally came. Peter had everything packed; the movers just left. Peter was driving an additional rental truck and his family was driving two cars filled to the brim with electronics and clothes. Rufus could not sit still. He was pacing from one end of the house to the other; he would go from one family member to the next as if to say: “Don’t forget to take me along!” “Don’t worry, Rufus, we have a seat in the car just for you!”

Rufus was of mixed breed--a handsome, short-haired-dog--with shades of brown, tan and black. He was a friendly dog to neighbors and strangers alike. He wasn’t always so congenial. The folks at the animal shelter said that he was abused as a young pup. He wasn’t very trusting of people. Peter’s family picked him up when he was three months old. He instantly clung to Peter’s oldest boy. He laid his head on Michael’s lap all the way home in the car. He didn’t let Michael out of his sight at all that first day and slept in his bedroom at night. He found his first real friend. As time had elapsed he settled down and learned to trust everyone in the family—as well as their friends.

Rufus was now 8 years old. He weighed 75 pounds and measured about 34 inches high, from paws to head. There was quite a change in his size, confidence and demeanor since that first day at the shelter. These facts made his anxiety all-the-more noticeable during the month of the move. Now everyone was concerned about how Rufus would adapt to his new house and surroundings.

Peter and his family would be living in the church’s parsonage. As with many traditional churches, a parsonage was provided for the pastor’s family. This was done for the convenience of both the congregation and the pastor. There was something unusual about this particular parsonage, however. Not only was the parsonage located right on the church property, but it was also connected to the church itself. The parsonage was deceptive in size because it merely looked like an extension of the church. A door from the house separated the family from the pastor’s office in the church. One door from the pastor’s office opened out into the sanctuary where the parishioners sat in the pews; another opened into the altar area in the front of the church from where the pastor conducted the services.

For the first week in their new house, Peter’s family unpacked box after box and set up the furnishings in their new home; wherever they went, Rufus lay down right there beside them. Everything was fine as long as a family member was present. Rufus was acclimating quickly to the new surroundings, but he insisted on going along for a ride anytime the family went out on an errand. He wouldn’t let them out of his sight. They were anxious to get settled, because on Sunday Peter would be installed in a special evening worship service. This is when Peter would officially take over his duties for his new congregation.

The day for the installation finally came. Most of the preparations for the service were handled by the parishioners. Another pastor in the area conducted the service. Peter’s primary responsibility was to be on time at the service. That was certainly not a problem as Peter walked through the door of the house and into the church office. His family walked around to the main entrance and entered the church with the rest of the parishioners. As the service began, Peter was positioned to sit in a chair up front, facing the front altar area with his back to the congregation. From there he listened as the installing pastor preached an eloquent sermon, reminding Peter of his duties to the congregation and their duties to Peter and his family. Suddenly in the middle of the sermon, there appeared an unexpected guest. He showed up peeking out from the church office and entering the altar area in the front of church. He peered at the congregation in wonderment of all the festivities. Rufus had decided to go to church, too!

After all, the church was packed with parishioners, singing hymns and engaged in worship. Rufus wondered where everyone had gone and what all the commotion was about. He could easily hear the worship music from the parsonage. He did not want to be left alone! He simply had to investigate! As everyone in the family became preoccupied with the start of the service, no one gave a second thought as to how Rufus was doing. After all, he was only next door. Rufus would be fine!

When Peter saw Rufus, thoughts of panic quickly set in. What would Rufus do next? Would he start to bark? Would he start exploring the church, greeting the parishioners as he went along? Peter calmly got up from his seat, went over to Rufus and guided him back into the house--making sure that the door was shut tight behind him. He then walked back to his chair for the remainder of the service, his formal installation and the festivities that followed. Needless to say, Rufus was the hot topic of conversation all evening!

Almost every dog owner can remember a funny story about their pet. Very few would have a story like the one about Rufus, The Dog Who Went To Church!

By Dale Klessig