My Mom told me once about an old TV show called "Lassie." It was about a big ruffed collie that was always getting lost, or saving someone's life. She said it was hard to watch because she kept crying.
Well last night she saw something else that made her cry- all the animals left homeless after the tornados in Missouri and Oklahoma. I was sad too because I know how it feels to be alone- but for them it was even more traumatic to be literally ripped away from their homes.
One little fella was thrown miles away and his paws were broken in the fall. He dragged himself home- it took him over 2 weeks to get back! Now that's perseverance. It's also fearlessness and hope.
You know, animals are generally very hopeful creatures, especially us dogs. I wish humans had that gift. Many of them lose hope easily and want to give up. I want to encourage you today- even if your heart is broken, there is hope. Even if it seems like everything has gone crazy upside down in your life and you've lost it all, there is hope.
If that fuzzy white dog can get home and get help, you can too. I know that God loves you with all His heart, so just keep going and He will get you where you need to be. Mom says Lassie always got back home no matter how bad the circumstances. So be like Lassie and come home. Be like that little white dog and keep going, because there is help waiting for you if you'll just not give up.
Red Dog
Friday, May 27, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Cruelty or Discipline?
The other day I saw my friend Keisha the malamute riding on top of the neighbor's truck. According to my friends, he is now taking her to work with him, tied to the top of the tool box in the back of his pickup.When she is home, sometimes she is also on top of the truck. When she gets down, she runs around the neighborhood.
I'm kind of torn on this one. Mom never ties me up, ever. She expects me to obey her and stay in the yard or inside the fence. I try to do that, unless of course a cat runs across my field of vision (now that I have developed a couple of cataracts, I don't see them unless they run directly in front of me).
If Keisha would stay home, I don't think they'd have to tie her up. But one of our neighbors doesn't like any dogs but his own and always calls Animal Control on them. Which means Keisha is in danger not only of getting hit by a car, but of going away forever. So her owner ties her up. I wish they knew how to train her, because she is a real looker. Sleek, fast, beautiful.
Cruelty has a fine line. The rope that keeps her from running could also kill her if she happens to jump off the truck while tied. That bothers me. I've sniffed her and Mom has checked her out and she doesn't have any signs of abuse. But I still worry.
People are similar to Keisha, did you know that? Trying to control people often results in their destruction. People are better off free, with the ability to learn and grow. Whether it's the government or other people or relatives who try to control them, the lessons needed for maturity can't happen unless they are free to make the mistakes that will help them overcome their own problems.
Dogs need obedience training that is filled with discipline and exercise and compassion. People aren't much different. They need compassion, discipline , exercise, and understanding to help them move forward. Cruelty, on the other hand, or controlling behavior, never works for either.
I'm kind of torn on this one. Mom never ties me up, ever. She expects me to obey her and stay in the yard or inside the fence. I try to do that, unless of course a cat runs across my field of vision (now that I have developed a couple of cataracts, I don't see them unless they run directly in front of me).
If Keisha would stay home, I don't think they'd have to tie her up. But one of our neighbors doesn't like any dogs but his own and always calls Animal Control on them. Which means Keisha is in danger not only of getting hit by a car, but of going away forever. So her owner ties her up. I wish they knew how to train her, because she is a real looker. Sleek, fast, beautiful.
Cruelty has a fine line. The rope that keeps her from running could also kill her if she happens to jump off the truck while tied. That bothers me. I've sniffed her and Mom has checked her out and she doesn't have any signs of abuse. But I still worry.
People are similar to Keisha, did you know that? Trying to control people often results in their destruction. People are better off free, with the ability to learn and grow. Whether it's the government or other people or relatives who try to control them, the lessons needed for maturity can't happen unless they are free to make the mistakes that will help them overcome their own problems.
Dogs need obedience training that is filled with discipline and exercise and compassion. People aren't much different. They need compassion, discipline , exercise, and understanding to help them move forward. Cruelty, on the other hand, or controlling behavior, never works for either.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
People Obedience Training
When I got fixed, I didn't have the urge to wander off and have puppies with some loose dog anymore. But people don't seem to figure that out. What's up with that? Do they not get enough biscuits at their own house?
Take Arnold Schwartzenegger for example. The guy is rich. He's funny too. But now he's lost his wife and had a baby with someone in their household staff. I know a good spay and neuter clinic, but Mom says it wouldn't have helped him. It really helps dogs and cats. It can actually save lives.
But I think that dog psychology still might help someone like Arnold. No biscuit without obedience. No affection until he's calm and his chasing has stopped. No hunting aliens around the jungle unless the training is followed. No helicopters, no machine guns, no muscle shirts until "sit" and "stay" are learned.
What do you think?
Take Arnold Schwartzenegger for example. The guy is rich. He's funny too. But now he's lost his wife and had a baby with someone in their household staff. I know a good spay and neuter clinic, but Mom says it wouldn't have helped him. It really helps dogs and cats. It can actually save lives.
But I think that dog psychology still might help someone like Arnold. No biscuit without obedience. No affection until he's calm and his chasing has stopped. No hunting aliens around the jungle unless the training is followed. No helicopters, no machine guns, no muscle shirts until "sit" and "stay" are learned.
What do you think?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Spring and all its glory
We live in North Idaho, and Spring is, uh, a roller coaster ride. Some days it rains, some days it hails or snows, and some days like today it's warm and sunny.
Today I snuggled in to my hip hole by the rose bushes and thought about what Spring really means. (Oh, sorry Mom, that means my fur will be covered with dirt, dried leaves, ants, and other assorted crud. But doggone it, I'm comfy there!)
Back to Spring. It's kind of a snapshot of life. Sometimes there are storms, like when I first got sick with diabetes and felt awful all the time. Sometimes the day is REALLY bad, like when my first family abandoned me and left me without any hope at all. Sometimes the good days come and it seems like all the bad is wiped away with the warmth of the sun. That's what I like- a reminder that life may be filled with problems, but eventually they all work out. Eventually Spring becomes summer.And it works that way in life too!
No matter what you are going through today, I'd like to tell you that it will all work out. Pretty soon everything will come around to a better day if you just have a little faith. Then you can go snuggle in your hip hole ( ok, I know, humans don't have those) and relax, knowing that the season has changed in your life. It's going to get better!
Today I snuggled in to my hip hole by the rose bushes and thought about what Spring really means. (Oh, sorry Mom, that means my fur will be covered with dirt, dried leaves, ants, and other assorted crud. But doggone it, I'm comfy there!)
Back to Spring. It's kind of a snapshot of life. Sometimes there are storms, like when I first got sick with diabetes and felt awful all the time. Sometimes the day is REALLY bad, like when my first family abandoned me and left me without any hope at all. Sometimes the good days come and it seems like all the bad is wiped away with the warmth of the sun. That's what I like- a reminder that life may be filled with problems, but eventually they all work out. Eventually Spring becomes summer.And it works that way in life too!
No matter what you are going through today, I'd like to tell you that it will all work out. Pretty soon everything will come around to a better day if you just have a little faith. Then you can go snuggle in your hip hole ( ok, I know, humans don't have those) and relax, knowing that the season has changed in your life. It's going to get better!
Monday, May 2, 2011
New Friends
One of the best things in my life is when I get to make new friends. Sure, I make some nervous when I run up and stick my nose in places that scare them, but that's because I know how to sniff out trouble.
But making new friends is one of the joys of living!
I've noticed that some people are skittish around new folks. I say, cut it out! Run toward the unknown, not away from it!
Let me use my neighbor's dog as an example. He is fearless because he's a puppy. Part shepherd and something else (maybe Rottweiler?), he's going to be a big guy when he grows up. So he intimidates people. But the first time I met him I wanted to play because I knew he was ok. Yes, we snarled a little, but it wasn't dangerous, it was playful. And we have had at least one romp together that was loads of fun! I know him now, and I know that he isn't a problem.
The only way you can make new friends is to get to know them. They may seem scary, but if you get to know them that can change. My Mom has a new friend that used to be a convict. She is writing a book about his life. He spent time in federal prison for drug trafficking and trying to run over a DEA agent. Was he bad? Yes. Is he evil? No. Does he need good friends? Absolutely. She has learned that he really is getting his life on to a good path. But most people would avoid him like a pit bull with foam on its mouth.
The only way to get new friends or help to change a life is to run forward in faith, not backwards in fear. A football team that only has good defense will never win the game because it's the offense that scores the points. So I say don't be afraid to meet new people and talk to others! You don't have to stick your nose on them like I do, but be friendly and see what happens. You'll be glad you did!
But making new friends is one of the joys of living!
I've noticed that some people are skittish around new folks. I say, cut it out! Run toward the unknown, not away from it!
Let me use my neighbor's dog as an example. He is fearless because he's a puppy. Part shepherd and something else (maybe Rottweiler?), he's going to be a big guy when he grows up. So he intimidates people. But the first time I met him I wanted to play because I knew he was ok. Yes, we snarled a little, but it wasn't dangerous, it was playful. And we have had at least one romp together that was loads of fun! I know him now, and I know that he isn't a problem.
The only way you can make new friends is to get to know them. They may seem scary, but if you get to know them that can change. My Mom has a new friend that used to be a convict. She is writing a book about his life. He spent time in federal prison for drug trafficking and trying to run over a DEA agent. Was he bad? Yes. Is he evil? No. Does he need good friends? Absolutely. She has learned that he really is getting his life on to a good path. But most people would avoid him like a pit bull with foam on its mouth.
The only way to get new friends or help to change a life is to run forward in faith, not backwards in fear. A football team that only has good defense will never win the game because it's the offense that scores the points. So I say don't be afraid to meet new people and talk to others! You don't have to stick your nose on them like I do, but be friendly and see what happens. You'll be glad you did!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)