Contentment

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Contentment

I can’t help but be envious, just a bit, of Ruger and his total and complete sense of contentment; his utter trust and faith that he is safe and sound in our care.

As humans, I feel we are all looking for that sense of peace that comes with complete trust and faith being placed in the hands of another. With age, hopefully comes some wisdom and some enlightenment. I’ve just celebrated 5 decades under my belt and the one thing I’ve come to realize is that the only one I can place complete trust and faith in is my God and His Son. Humanity, in it’s flawed and fallen state, will inevitably let me down. It’s not a criticism of any one human being, it’s just a result of living in a world separated from our true home. But there is One who will never let me down even if the world does, who will always love me even when no one else can, and who promises me that one day I will leave this earthly realm that groans under the weight of sin and see my true home, the place I truly belong.

And what a home that will be.

A welcoming party that will surpass the best of parties ever, as all my past and future canine companions, as well as the relatives, friends and family who have preceded me, welcome me to the ultimate place of happiness and contentment.

When I watch my puppy sleep, I catch a glimpse of that glorious and perfect contentment.

When I watch my puppy sleep, I am reminded of something someone wise told me once. Something I knew deep down in the core of me, where the Spirit resides and affirms basic truths. Something that sums up my love for these loyal, trusting, loving, happy, furry domesticated canine companions:

D-O-G G-O-D

Now THAT, is contentment.

Poetry in Motion

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Poetry in Motion

Is that not the truth with puppies?

I was looking back at old photographs of my Miss Mia, and realized I hadn’t nearly as many photos of her as I thought I’d had. I thought, now why would that be?

Motion. Puppies are in constant motion, unless they are sleeping, and that is not particularly reflective of their personality. It takes time to grab the camera, and by then, the perfect picture is gone. Enter, the SmartPhone, a Godsend!

While it’s not a ‘puppy food commercial’ quality shot, I think it captures the cute curiosity of puppies. It’s reminiscent of my daughters as babies, that look of wonder at something so simple as a flower. A pause in the endless activity.

And it lasted all of 1 second…

Payback can really BITE!

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Payback can really BITE!

This is Ruger.

This is Mia.

This is Ruger obviously stalking Mia, and Mia not quite sure she is happy about it. I find this completely hilarious, from a karma point of view. Why, you might ask? Here’s why:

We have always gone to the Humane Society for our dogs, and when we moved here 14 years ago, we had Kimmy, a Humane Society Black Lab/Shepherd mix who was already a senior of 11. When she went to Heaven, I had no desire to adopt a puppy while tending 2 young daughters, so we adopted Maize, a Yellow Lab/Shepherd mix who was full grown at 4 years old. (I absolutely recommend older dogs for young families. Busy parents generally do not have the time and attention to give a young puppy; little children are not very suited to caring for a young dog; and there are SO many older dogs who need good homes. Maize was absolutely loved by ALL she met! Please consider an older dog for adoption)
Well, about 5 years ago Maize was getting on in years and my children (now teenagers) felt it was time to get another family member, and they were old enough to help with a puppy. A trip to the Humane Society, and home we come with Mia.

She is a perfect dog. Yes, she is also a Lab/Shepherd mix (my favorite mix). She grew up out of her typical Labrador puppy chew stage to be a loving, good natured, calm and sweet dog. However, as a puppy she absolutely terrorized Maize! Ankle biter is what we called her! She would lay down and ‘stalk’ Maize, and poor Maize trying her best not to be utterly crabby about it.

So, it quite appropriate that ‘what goes around, comes around’. Ruger is smart, and so is learning quickly that ankle biting results in a ‘correction’ from Mia. All the same, I can’t help but giggle…just a bit.

(click on the photo to be taken to the Humane Society of America website. This is not a paid advertisement, but a personal plea to rescue loving animals who need homes.)