When I was a child, I had the most wonderful little dog named Butch... he loved to play and run and he would protect me and my brother and sisters ....When I had my own children, it just seemed natural to have an outside dog to love and care for...having three little boys, it gave a dog plenty of playmates...not to mention the responsibility of caring for a dog to encourage a sense of nurturing......
Now, each of those boys are heads of households....and who would have guessed....each of them have an INSIDE dog....yes, you heard right...a pet to care for....and boy have they all learned well...the oldest has a giant Schnauzer....by Webster's definition, that is a small, active dog with a shiny coat....my definition reads like this....a very large patrol dog with a sweet disposition who barks loudly to announce anything that threatens his territory...and who will eat you alive, I am sure, if you so much as think of hurting his "family....
My very liberal middle son has an inside dog...and an inside rabbit....and a bird...and house cats....so the count goes today...I would never have thought him to be so understanding of animals as to need so much to observe and care for...nurturer, one who trains, rears...I think this was what I had in mind during those "formative years".......
Which brings me to the adorable little picture of Winston.....a black and beige Yorky grandpuppy...who occasionally comes to stay for a few days while my youngest has a trip out of town....well, this last visit was for FOUR days...and my goodness what a pampered little dog I came to realize he was in those days of my care....he needs boundaries....and much one-on-one attention...he needs freedom to be constantly in your presence...and he likes his food prepared just so-so at specific times of the day...in between...lots of treats....and chasing excercises...and walks outside...not just for potty time...but to explore his world...and to redefine mine...cute..oh so cute...and thankfully the possesion full-time of this son and wife and leaving me with what I came to call a pet......Sassy...napping in the sun...after a morning of chasing squirrels...and walking herself down the trails...and chewing on her rubber bone...and swimming in the creek...all after patroling the property...barking to announce intruders...with as little praise as a"good girl"....or an occasional treat....
Pets remind me so of what a loving Father does in creation...some of these...mixed with some of those...all different...all a part of the big picture that only He fully sees and understands...so that we all might get a glimpse of His great love and care for us all......a nurturer...training us to be what He needs ....all for His glory alone
