A Doggy Tale

I told myself I could watch the movie...it would be ok. I knew how it ended, so I would be prepared.

NOT!

I watched "Marley and Me", the story of the world's worst dog...anyway that is what his owner said. I laughed at Marley's antics...I cried when, after years of being a part of the family, he died.
His owner said, 'Marley, you are not the world's worst dog..you were the best dog.'

I have dogs of my own, so I totally understand why they kept Marley around. Those who don't like dogs...well, I can be pretty sure they would say, "I'd just get rid of that dog...it's just a dog."

Again, I say
NOT!

I had a pet when I was little, probably like four years old. But, I remember him...Tippy, my collie, left home and didn't come back. My parents said, that's what dogs do when they are going to die. I decided I didn't think I wanted a dog ever again...it was too sad.
So, I had a cat. She was a big yellow fur ball. When I went away to college, she got kidney stones and died. I didn't have a serious pet till six years ago.

Kaylee came into our lives - a little shelty-heeler mix. I wasn't sure about her at first...but, I couldn't help but  like the little furry puppy. She seemed to smile at us and loved chasing and rolling over a basketball. She was a lot of fun. She had so much energy, she didn't seem to ever get tired. She won her way into my heart.

Then, two years ago, my Marine son asked if I would watch his puppy.
Of course!
He was coming to Colorado for training, so I drove to the airport, where I met him and a kenneled puppy.
He had googly eyes that seemed to wander this way and that. His googly, sad eyes won me over, immediately. Griz, the brindle, boxer-American bulldog mix wandered into my heart.

Griz came home and became my buddy. He helped me through my Marine son's deployment to Afghanistan with Recon. His sad, droopy eyes were so understanding. Kaylee was supportive, too, and would come up and want to give me a 'lick' of encouragement...but since my son had brought Griz a few months before deployment, he was like a present for that particular time.

A couple of years ago, when my nest was empty of all five children, I had Kaylee and Griz to keep me company. They followed me from room to room. When I settled somewhere, they sat at my feet.

They have their own personalities. Kaylee is more of a watch dog than Griz. However, Griz can just stand at the door and when people see him, they want to run. But....
they are the friendliest dogs...I think they think they are people and are the official home greeters.

I'm a little nostalgic after watching the Marley movie.
I am thankful God made dogs. They really can win your heart.
They are so entertaining and yet, they can sense how you're feeling.
Dogs love unconditionally. They are very forgiving. They are faithful and committed.
Kaylee and Griz are always happy to see me!
They have wonderful traits.

If I feel overwhelmed, I look at my dogs (by the way, my son has allowed me to adopt Griz...bless his heart)
They look at me like they trust completely.
They know they are taken care of, with not a care in the world.

So like I should be with my Master.
I know it's how I should be, too. 'So trusting...knowing my Master knows my name; knows my needs.

Sigh.....

I need to take lessons from my dogs.