AN ATTEMPT TO RECOGNIZE RESCUED DOGGIES

 Dear Doggies,

    I am sitting at my desk, remembering the doggies from my past, thinking of the little doggie we currently have named Max, and another we hope to adopt soon.

    The Bible says, “A good man regards his animals,” and for the life of me I cannot fathom why any person would treat a precious companion as some of you have been treated in the past…but that’s just it: that part of your lives is now in the past and it is the best hope of all who care for you, our four-footy pals, that you can put it all behind.  We know that you have the incomprehensible capacity to forgive…incomprehensible to most humans that is.  Is that because you choose to be forgiving and humans choose otherwise?  Whatever it is, it is one more lesson we humans should learn from you.

    When God created animals he told the first man that he was to name them and to have dominion over them.  That means human beings are to be to dogs like God is to people.  God loved people so much that He willingly left Heaven to come to earth in human form then willingly gave His physical life for us in a cruel death so we could someday have eternal life with Him in Heaven.  He told us that in His Father’s house were many mansions and He was going to prepare a place for us for that “someday.”

    When human beings decide they are going to be like God to dogs, they need to realize that to have dominion and to lay down their lives means they have to be loving, considerate, and to learn to be less selfish.  Sometimes that can be as simple as choosing a different dog because a sheepdog needs country living instead of being cooped up in a city apartment for example.  Sometimes it can be as complicated as choosing between a medical treatment that can be life-threatening whether given or not. 

    While being prepared for the physical need is important, so is the emotional side to the preparation.  Human beings must prepare their hearts.  Doggies don’t have the same choice so humans must use the wisdom God provides.  Consideration of all these thoughts led me to “the many mansions” in my heart.  I think God would approve of that analogy.  One of those special places in my heart still houses the years of treasured times with Tray, our introduction into what life is like when lived with a Yorkie! She was born in Northern Maine and when asked, “Would you rather be a Rebel or a dead dog?” she would immediately drop, stretched flat on her side, sometimes so quickly she was down before the question was even completed!  Another particular place in my heart holds Texan Tanner Boy and while he is not here physically, that door refuses to close, so the tears resurface far too easily.  Then there is another special spot in my heart that is always alive, active, and amazed at the adoration supplied by Max who loves with a gentle and sweet spirit and allows us to live with him!  His favorite toys are his and if I have a toy in my hand, it is his!  One of his favorite games is to have a toy in his mouth, to roll his eyes at me in challenge, and to race away saying, “Catch me if you can!”  Then he runs away sing-songing something about running away from a little old woman, etc. and this old woman seldom catches him so the games are rather one-sided.  Max is little but he sure runs fast and I think he needs someone besides me to create a challenge for him!  This is where our  hoped-for adoption comes in.

    This letter has been written to tell you doggies that each one of you is a special puppynality and when I look into your eyes I feel a door open in one of those houses in my heart.  There is always a “wanted” sign hung there but I know I have to share with other adoptive parents because even though I would love every one of you I cannot take care of every one of you all by myself.  Even though my heart is big enough, my house, my yard, and my purse are not.  I hope it is enough for you to know that each one of you always holds a special spot in my heart and I will keep searching…with you and your forever family in mind…because I know and meet some very good people; some who know they need a doggie and some who don’t know it yet…but then we introduce them to Max and then they do!  So you see, I am not the only one in this family who will work to help you find your forever faithful family!

You are special, Every One!

Marilyn Sue, John, and Maxwell a Little Boy Blue

with

Happy Memories of Tray & Tanner Boy who now reside at The Bridge