How Big is Your Heart?

Do you remember Harley? Not too soon after I made a big deal about how much I'd love to have a dog like Harely, I found out that Harley's owner is being deployed. For a year. And the owner needs someone to watch Harley for her.

Since my own dog, Foster, is completely blind and losing his hearing (and it seems his sense of smell is not the best either) requires much more work in his old age, I'm reluctant to take on such a "big" challenge. Harley's a great dog - very obedient, loves to play, and has liked everyone she's met (so far). She's spayed and a spry six years old. Please contact me if you can help Harley - and repost and share this all over the place!

A Small Pray-er

Several generations of Praying Mantis have been raised on my property. I saw one of the babies the other day:

Praying Mantis are weird creatures. The way they turn their heads to look directly at a person is just unnerving. They sort of look like aliens. Yet when they are little, they are vulnerable. Look how small it is on the pole of the hammock. Each of us is vulnerable, even if we like to think we are not. It's easy to feel insignificant in a loud and large world. Prayer, a connection to God, strengthens us. It builds a relationship with the Creator and Protector of the Universe. There is no better place to be than in the palm of His hand.

Go Ahead, Make My Day....

Have you met Cricket, the Border Collie? (hi Cricket!)

Cricket is a delight in that she is true to her breed. She herds. She protects. While she's not really all that crazy about other dogs, she tolerates them with proper dog etiquette. When Cricket is at the kennel, she greets me with a bark as soon as I open the door. Then, she immediately grabs her tennis ball and wants to play. She really asks so little...throw-the-ball-throw-the-ball-throw-the-ball-throw-the-ball! God wants a relationship with us. Daily, He asks only the simplest of things - Come, talk to me. That's not so hard, is it? Yet how quickly does our time of quiet and meditation get thrown out the window for "more pressing matters." I know I'm guilty of this myself. Yet, if I do take the time, it sets the proper tone and order for my day. Time set apart for God really does...um...make my day.

Acting Big

Tug was here this weekend (Hi Tug!). Tug is now a mature two-year old Mastiff, yet he is still growing.

Notice how well he fits in the way back of his owners vehicle. Last weekend, Harley the Great Dane loaded in and out of a normal sized car without incident. It reminded me of the owner of a giant breed dog who came to visit my kennel many years ago. She showed up with the dog in a horse trailer. Completely unnecessary. She fussed and made a huge ado of the dog's needs due to its size. Since she was out visiting kennels for her little darling, I happily suggested another kennel I knew of where the person who owned it also personally owned a giant breed dog. It's important to find a kennel that suits the owner as well as the dog. Having watched many giant and large breeds over fourteen years of service, I know my kennel is suitable for such a dog. However, it clearly wouldn't be suitable for such an owner. I don't know where she went and it doesn't matter as long as it wasn't here. I'm happy to tend to the many and varied needs of the dogs in my care but I have little patience for the owners who believe their dog is more special than any other dog. Our culture stresses that we are important. We must be the center of the universe, have more "friends" and "likes" on Facebook, more followers on Twitter, and great comments on our You Tube videos. Have you ever thought about what would happen if each of us achieved this end? We would be our own universe, with no one to give us our demanded attention. Since when did being ordinary become a bad thing? Is "normal" the new "loser?" When we find our identity and great love in the Lord alone, the opinion of others becomes less important. If we have the care and attention of the King of Creation, do we really need to flaunt ourselves and our talents at others to feel we are important. If He cares about the sparrow, he cares about you.

There is Superstition

Riley's back (hi Riley....over here Riley). If I took a picture of Riley every time he was here, he'd always look like this.

Before I moved my furniture around, Riley slept under this same window so he could peek out for his owner's return. Once when we were walking, Riley's owner (and a friend of mine) drove from the other direction to meet us. Now when we walk that same stretch of road, Riley looks at every vehicle that drives by with much hopefulness. Unfortunately, Riley was unsuccessful at conjuring up his owner in this manner. Don't we do the same things, perhaps in less obvious ways? Do we think if we pray every day, go to church every Sunday, and keep the Golden Rule, we will get what we want? While all those things are good to do, they can not manipulate God. As much as we want, nothing we do can force God's hand to our will. "Your will be done" are easy words to say, but tough words to mean.

Running with the Big Dogs

This is Harley (hi Harley!). From the picture, you can't truly appreciate her beauty or size, not to mention sweet personality.

Harley has been here a few times now, the last visit for a week. Harely was a model citizen. When her owner came to pick her up, Harley frolicked! Yes, a Great Dane frolicking is quite a sight. Watching her run was the picture of grace. Isn't it a wonderful surprise when something you expect to be clumsy and awkward turns out to be lovely and graceful? Sometimes I think this is true of my own life. It can be often awkward and difficult. Yet in the hands of God's transforming love and incomprehensible grace, it turns into a pleasant and amazing surprise. Like Harley, some beings seem born for beauty. If you feel like your life could use a little help, pursue God. Experience a wondrous and ultimately good transformation.

You Turn Me Right Round

Here's Tilly doing her best cute pose.

Has your life ever been turned on its head? Has everything fallen apart - maybe in a small way or in a cataclysmic disaster? Mine has. More than once. It's awful. A sea of despair threatened to drown me. It's safe to say that NONE of the emotions I had were remotely positive. No power of positive thinking was going to right that ship. I was powerless. Finally, I ran to the Lord. That was the only One who could hold me up through the circumstances. No, the situation didn't change - it got worse. However, I was not alone and my despair turned to hope, even if it was a distant one. Today when you need to right the wrongs of your life, seek God. Admit you can't do it yourself. Your pride only prolongs the pain. Run to the Lord.