So, we have a new puppy. Our nine year old “puppy” Oscar is adjusting, he has been the center of attention for awhile now. This puppy is for our daughter. This is a big deal, because the last time we got a puppy for one of our children, we convinced ourselves it would be the last time. Over 15 years (Whoa! where does time go?) ago we gave our son a little dog and named him Freddy. He was tiny, and so cute. The first night with Freddy was long, as he howled the entire night. Then, most days with Freddy were long as he refused to be potty trained. Not just that, but Freddy was full on trouble. He peed on the legs of guests, as well as their pillows. He picked fights with the German Shephard down the road. He ran away, even through the electrical fence. Freddy did whatever Freddy wanted to do. We had him for a long time, and we did love him. But, as I said, due to Freddy’s unbelievable behaivor, we told ourselves that buying a pet for our kids was a bad idea.
Then our daughter began to ask for her own dog. We said no. She asked again, and again. We said no. But, as time progressed I felt a tenderness in her that needed to be shared. I saw a yearning in her to have something of her very own, and I related in many ways as I myself had my own dog as a child. I loved my dog soooo much, and I think he literally saved my life on more than one occasion. He was smart, well behaved, and sweet. A little different than Freddy! We’ve had a lot of dogs over the years, each different in peronality, all loved. None have been as full of trouble as Freddy! My point? We loved him anyway. He expanded our hearts in so many ways, and even with his sometimes deplorable actions, it wasn’t enough to keep us from loving him.
So, now we have our new puppy. I don’t anticipate that he will be anything like Freddy, but, really who knows? I do anticipate a lot of love. There’s a lot of trouble that comes our way in this world. A lot of people that can sometimes be hard to love. Sometimes it is very easy to get distracted with a persons personality and believe that it is all that defines them. I don’t think this is true. We can only be defined by who God says we are. When trouble walks around, seeing God’s definition is our road to kindness.
Magnificent site. A lot of useful info here.
I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thanks on your effort!