Cookies, Pooka, Rosie, Faye, Buxtehude “Bux,” Betty, Lydia, Lagertha “Laggie,” and Brunhilda “Hildie.” These names represent the amazing dogs that have been part of my adult life. Their unique personalities brought warmth and joy to my family.
Miss Betty passed away recently, and I have never had a dog celebrate mealtime the way Miss B did. Her gazelle-like jumps were the highlight of the day when her food was being prepared. Bux was the little, starving, abandoned puppy who found me, and after one hot dog, he never left. And Lydia was as fast as the wind.
I admit that I am the crazy dog mom who talks to her dogs whether people are in the vicinity or not. Miss Rosie, my miniature Sheltie, is one who heard my deepest, darkest secrets. She helped me get through some tough episodes of depression. But there is something each of these amazing creatures did and continues to do every day.
They throw a party. Their whole purpose is to love their family. My two girls, Laggie and Hildie (#vikingpuppies), are Border Collie/Australian Shepherds. A common trait among Aussies is their wiggle butts. When I walk into the room, I can almost hear the fireworks going off with their excitement shown by their wiggling butts.
Dogs love us with unconditional love. The love that washes away angry words. The love that ignores the fact that we have not been as attentive. Their hearts are so full of love that the only objective in their lives is to give that love away.
As a mother of two sons, I understand that kind of love. It is almost the same as the love that the Creator has for us, except that love is bigger, more expansive, and more all-consuming than we can imagine. But why do we sometimes have trouble accepting God’s love? I know that I often do.
Today I made a puppy cake…yes, I know, I am one of those. And when my husband, son, and I gathered our girls together to celebrate their second birthday, the love in the room was overwhelming. It sounds bonkers, but if that kind of love can be spread in the world, can you imagine how people would feel? We came together in love for our sweet dogs, and it warmed our hearts and made us smile and laugh.
Love finds us in peculiar ways. Sometimes we find love with a partner with whom we share our lives, a friend who knows our heart, or children and young people who bring us joy. But sometimes, the simplest kind of love for a beloved pet can cure all that ails.
No matter where you are, how much you weigh, what you have done, or how much or little is in your bank account, you are the Creator’s Beloved child…loved with a love that can conquer the world because you are worth it.
Today I Am Thankful For:
- Birthdays
- Puppies
- Laughter
- Party hats
- Bath and Bodyworks hand soap
