Lord, I am so thankful for the pet animals you put into our lives. They have been such a blessing, especially now Red, who squeezes love from the hearts of 99% of the folks he encounters. I feel I share him with two particular kids in our neighborhood, and I told of the hug I received from one a few days before Christmas. Bless the boy, Lord, all his life.
Yesterday we stepped out into the bitter cold for a refreshing breath and a short walk. Two houses down we met young F and her mom with a reindeer sack containing a gift for me—a cloth doll that they said looked like me, and a pup with a collar and leash that looked just like a mini-Red.
His reaction was immediate and not quite like receipts of previous gifts. He stood on his back legs, as indeed he often does to dance, then he gently grasped the new toy in. his muzzle and scampered home. I was slow following then, to his chagrin, I took his prize back because we needed to go back to say thank you to the givers. As we humans peeled laughter in the freezing air and sunshine at the sight, on receiving it again he dashed back and demanded immediate entry into the warm house for the two of them. Gotta protect the newbie, I guess! When I delayed with happy chatter once more, he used the time to remove his new bestie’s collar and leash—after all, what dog wants those?
Lord, bless the dear girl who is learning to give. And, God have mercy on the “two-brained beings” who, in Mr G’s words, teach us to love. Show us, Lord, our opportunities to protect them and save from cruelty; prod us into fulfilling our duties to them, and also to the “two-legged beings.” I confess our cruelty too often overpowers us, but you promise a light that cannot be overcome by the darkness. Unless, I think, we close our eyes and create darkness. Lord, have mercy; may we, too, be merciful. IJN
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