May 26, 2020
I am a “dog person”. Everyone in my family loves dogs. We have bought dogs from breeders, rescued dogs from shelters and found dogs in parking lots and voting lines. Their overall cuteness attracts us to just “take a look” in the box or cage and then their wagging tail, perky ears and soulful eyes reel us in. And if the dogs can’t do it on their own, the equally adorable children that we already own can usually cinch the deal. (“Mommy, please?” “It’s so cute.” “It loves us!” “We’ll take care of it.” “You won’t have to do anything.”) It has taken me over 30 years to stop falling for those lines. Before that, I was the one saying them to my mom or dad. Dogs add a lot of love and laughter to our lives. But one thing I have learned is that there is no such thing as a “free puppy”. (and no free kittens either) From the first minute after you say “yes”, money is required. To begin with they need a collar, a leash, toys and a bed. Then they need shots, flea treatments, food and treats (over and over again). Even if the financial part comes easy, the time commitment always comes as a shock. Nothing causes “buyer’s remorse” like a howling puppy at two in the morning, which, by the way, sleeping, adorable children cannot hear. All of this is true, yet, 67% of American households own at least one dog and 87,000,000 dogs are owned nation-wide. Why? Because dogs offer unconditional love, affection and companionship. No one stares at you adoringly or greets you at the door quite like your dog. Owning them teaches responsibility, compassion and loyalty. (Nothing teaches kids responsibility like hearing about how their parents took the puppy out at 2 a.m.) Sometimes dogs need us and sometimes we need them. God wants us to be caring and unselfish, not self-centered. Whether you’re a dog person or a cat, fish or plant person, a dating or married person or a “raising kids” person, putting the needs of another before our own, helps us take our eyes off ourselves and become more like Jesus. Caring for others is good for our souls. In “The Message” translation of the Bible, Acts 20:35 says: “I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’” And Matthew 7:12 says: “Do for others what you want them to do for you.” Love one another. Smile and be joyful!
I am a “dog person”. Everyone in my family loves dogs. We have bought dogs from breeders, rescued dogs from shelters and found dogs in parking lots and voting lines. Their overall cuteness attracts us to just “take a look” in the box or cage and then their wagging tail, perky ears and soulful eyes reel us in. And if the dogs can’t do it on their own, the equally adorable children that we already own can usually cinch the deal. (“Mommy, please?” “It’s so cute.” “It loves us!” “We’ll take care of it.” “You won’t have to do anything.”) It has taken me over 30 years to stop falling for those lines. Before that, I was the one saying them to my mom or dad. Dogs add a lot of love and laughter to our lives. But one thing I have learned is that there is no such thing as a “free puppy”. (and no free kittens either) From the first minute after you say “yes”, money is required. To begin with they need a collar, a leash, toys and a bed. Then they need shots, flea treatments, food and treats (over and over again). Even if the financial part comes easy, the time commitment always comes as a shock. Nothing causes “buyer’s remorse” like a howling puppy at two in the morning, which, by the way, sleeping, adorable children cannot hear. All of this is true, yet, 67% of American households own at least one dog and 87,000,000 dogs are owned nation-wide. Why? Because dogs offer unconditional love, affection and companionship. No one stares at you adoringly or greets you at the door quite like your dog. Owning them teaches responsibility, compassion and loyalty. (Nothing teaches kids responsibility like hearing about how their parents took the puppy out at 2 a.m.) Sometimes dogs need us and sometimes we need them. God wants us to be caring and unselfish, not self-centered. Whether you’re a dog person or a cat, fish or plant person, a dating or married person or a “raising kids” person, putting the needs of another before our own, helps us take our eyes off ourselves and become more like Jesus. Caring for others is good for our souls. In “The Message” translation of the Bible, Acts 20:35 says: “I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’” And Matthew 7:12 says: “Do for others what you want them to do for you.” Love one another. Smile and be joyful!
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