My Favorite Things

Not feeling so great after my rabies booster today. I'm amazed that humans don't have to get regular rabies shots too. But then, I guess I wouldn't want to get them in MY stomach either. I've sat in Cathy's lap when she was having her teeth drilled, and I'm glad I don't have to have that done. Talk about HUGE needles!!!

Aaahhhhhh... Dave started a fire in the wood-stove just now. I love that. It makes the whole house feel warm, even the floor. What else makes me feel that way? A real hug. Hanging out with a good friend. Hot water in my kibble on a cold day. Praise. Knowing I "get to go" along wherever my humans are going. Feeling welcomed in a new environment. A thorough grooming with a soft brush. Getting dried off with the towel after a bath. Snoozing in Dave's lap when he's reading a book. A good massage just behind the ears. Curling up behind Cathy's knees, under the covers, at bedtime. Good morning snuggles. Finding that spot where the sun streams in the window and taking a siesta. And most of all...spending time alone with God!!

Letting Go

I've been thinking about the past a lot lately. I've always felt that survival depends on learning as much as you can from the past so I don't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. But now I realize that if you hold on to the past, you have no room for the future. For someone who lives in the "now" this may seem strange, but I can't seem to get over some of my fears left over from living on my own. I was so small that big birds hunted me as well as coyotes, and people were mean to me. Every time I get in the car I have that old fear that I'm going to be dumped off somewhere and abandoned again. Everyone I meet is so nice to me now, and so polite, yet I can't get over my fear of what they might do to me. I've heard that humans deal with these same issues all of the time, but most of them don't seem to show it as readily as I do.

So, I've been going back and looking at my fears and their causes. When I talked to Jesus about it the other day, He showed me how to give my worries to Him and relax. Most of them aren't relevant anymore, but I've stuffed them so deep they're like extra weight I'm carrying around without realizing it. Habits are hard to break, but when I let go of my fears I feel like I can fly!! It's as if someone took the leash off of my heart!!

You know how, in drawings, Jesus is often holding a lamb in his arms? Well, we need to draw one with an Italian Greyhound in his arms! 'Cause I feel just like that lamb when I remember to give Him my worries. Try it! You'll see what I mean.

Cathy took me to the ocean one day, and as we were walking she said some things I've been thinking about.

As we watched the waves roll in she talked about rivers, and how they empty into the sea. She talked about how everything, including water, is made up of molecules, atoms and light particles, and probably even smaller "bits". The river carries the water to the sea, or a lake, where it evaporates and these tiny bits are in the air, and eventually come down again in rain, snow and fog. The water runs off the land or into the aquafers, makes it's way into rivers and the whole cycle has repeated since time began.

So, the bits in the water I drink, play in, get rained or snowed on by, have been around for a long time. In the waves that crash on the shore, or the rivers we wade in, even in the shower could be bits that Aristotle, Abraham Lincoln, Rin Tin Tin, Lassie or even Jesus might have touched or used. The snow around us on the ground might contain bits that have been everywhere in the world.

Taking it a step farther, Cathy says our bodies are mostly made up of water. So the "bits" that are in the water in my body have varied and long histories. I might have some in me that were in a dinosaur once...or a deer...a tree...a human...or a CAT!!! Oh my.

I sat there on the shore trying to imagine history from a "bit's" perspective, but I got distracted by a dive bombing seagull and chased him off down the beach. I think God is probably the only one who could comprehend it all anyway.

I don't mean to be heretical, but it IS a different way to define "living water", isn't it? LOL

An Attitude of Gratitude

Sometimes it's good to slow down and just lie in front of the fire place, while Dave and Cathy are reading. It's warm, I have a full tummy, there's water in the water dish and if I need to go out all I have to do is get up and look at the door. It's raining outside, but I'm in where it's dry and warm. God blesses me in so many ways. I live in a wonderful home with people who give me lots of love, hugs, scratches, toys and who will play with me if I show an inclination. Of course, I've trained them right from the beginning! Whenever Cathy or Dave does something for me I try to always give them a small lick on the hand or leg to say 'Thank you'. I know God brought us together when I was struggling to survive on my own, and I thank Him everyday.

I see so many beings rushing through life, always focusing on what they don't have. I feel lucky that I had the experience of being on my own for a while. It makes me focus on the many blessings I have. I find that this attitude of gratitude keeps me feeling happy. After all, being happy or unhappy is a moment by moment decision that each of us makes. Why so many humans choose to be unhappy, when they have so much to be thankful for, is truly a mystery to me.

Well, I'm going to stay in front of the fire until it's time to do some under cover work with the down comforter! Ciao for now!

The Soul's Need for Silence

Somewhere I heard that dogs can hear 25 times more acutely than humans. Have you ever noticed how noisy humans are? When they aren't talking they're listening to music, watching TV or videos, clattering in the kitchen, pounding in the garage, going to concerts or the movie theater, or setting off cannons and fireworks. Everybody complains about kids texting...well, at least it's quiet! No wonder we all go deaf after awhile.

It's frustrating for those of us who like to spend lots of time listening to nature while we commune with God. How do humans ever get quiet enough to hear Him? When we try to go for walks out in nature, we're almost always interrupted by ATV's, snowmobiles, jet skis, speed boats, helicopters and airplanes. It's enough to make me want to bite someone. When we find a great place there's usually a "NO TRESPASSING" sign. The deer and squirrels don't pay attention to them and, when I'm off leash, I don't either!

So, back to my question. How do humans find time, I mean hours a day time, to talk to God? Cathy and I go in the spare bedroom and light a candle, but it's not the same for me. I like being outside where I can open my soul, listen to God, and compare notes with the deer, squirrels, birds and rabbits,etc. We all have a purpose in the world and we teach each other what we know and what we're learning. Humans would be surprised if they knew.

Cathy says that's what Church is for, but they're always making noise in there! It's true that humans have to make noise to communicate, they've lost our abilities, but when do they stop and listen? I think everyone should shut off the noise for a good part of the day. If they can't get others to be quiet, they can at least try to stop talking so much and be quiet themselves. If they realized God is waiting in line for a chance to communicate with them, maybe they would make a greater effort...

I'm Gonna Party Tonight!

Humans have no idea how long a "year" is for a dog. Dave and Cathy rarely get excited about New Years eve. Most dogs, on the other hand, spend most of their lives waiting. Waiting for their people to come home, waiting in the car, waiting on a chain, waiting for dinner. Since we live in the "now" waiting can seem like forever, a string of "nows" spent waiting. And since a human year seems like seven years to us, we store up a bunch of New Year's resolutions. I'm so excited! Here are some of mine:

I will be a better citizen of planet Earth, spreading more joy, comfort and love.
I will remember to relax when meeting new people, or when I find myself in a crowd.
I will control my barking at neighbors and people ringing the doorbell, and not just blurt it out.
I will stop ducking under the seat of the car under overpasses on the highways.
I will remember to eat more slowly.
I will get Cathy out for more exercise.
I will stop bugging Ashley (a dog) by trying to lick her face.
I will stop upsetting Cathy by rolling in scat.

There! One for each dog-year plus one more for good luck!

So, what is YOUR New Year's resolution? I hope this new "year" is the best one ever, full of blessings for me, for you, and for the whole world!

Would you do me a favor and spread this idea: If each one of us becomes peaceful, then the whole world can live in peace. We must change ourselves, one person at a time. Thanks! M

Christmas Eve

It's interesting that humans keep track of dates and times. For me, everything pretty much happens in the now. Don't get me wrong, I know what "wait" means, but I usually wait in the now, moment by moment!

Humans have names for each minute, day, month and year. Wow. They even have B.C. and A.D.! Now, that fascinates me. How can so many people dismiss the importance and impact of Jesus on the world when all of human history is kept track of by using His life as the peak dividing point? Everything that happened Before Christ is B.C., and A.D. means "In the year of our Lord", translated from Latin.

Cathy reminded me that tonight we are celebrating Jesus' birth in a stable. Wow. A guy born in a stable has all of history ordered around His life, and many people don't want to be "offensive" by saying Merry Christmas? Doesn't everybody live by the same calendar? Doesn't that mean they all can recognize His birth without getting offended? I mean, I've heard He wasn't really born in winter time, but hey, who needs an excuse to party, right? If it was up to me, we'd party all of the time, in the now.

Well, that's my thought for now. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!