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| How Did This Happen?Dear friends, A dog has come to live at my house. How did this happen? Her name is Shadow. Her previous human companion says she's a five-year-old lab. He also said she was a very well-behaved dog, and he was right about that, so I have no reason to doubt his other information. I hadn't planned to get a dog. Two parents, two kids, two cats, and a desert tortoise seemed like enough inhabitants for one household. Over the years, whenever someone in the family raised the subject of a dog, I always said (or thought), "The only condition under which I would ever get a dog is if it was an adult dog, already trained, and if it was a Labrador retriever." So, out of the blue, when I was requested to take in a black lab, 5 years old, well trained, good with kids and other animals, I literally had no basis for saying no. She met all of my predetermined criteria!
It all happened rather suddenly. One of our Wednesday Night Ministry guests succeeded in getting clean and sober, got a job, and found an apartment. The only trouble was, he couldn't take his dog with him and she was still living out at his camp. Needless to say, it was a challenge for him to travel out to visit and feed Shadow every day. He knew it would be better for his beloved dog if a new home could be found for her. Now that I see what a good dog Shadow is, I have all the more admiration for this man who would put her well-being ahead of the attachment he must feel to her. Shadow loves to be petted and scratched. She likes taking walks, but she's apparently not in the habit of getting much exercise because she gets tired after just a few blocks. She eagerly jumps in the car, and rides along looking out the window with interest. She doesn't bark, except when the gardeners invade the yard. I got her a purple collar and leash, a sleeping pad, and (from the 99 cent store) a big bowl for water. For the time being, she is limited to five cups of prescription diet dog food a day. "Grandpa" Ken gave her all her vaccinations, and I've had to learn how to administer gooey ear drops. Oh, and I also invested in a three year license. So that's everything I know so far about taking care of a dog. I really don't know why God decided this was a good time for the Herron-Sweet family to get a dog. But I'm certainly grateful for all Shadow's fine qualities. It's a little bit like being swept along with the tide; the adoption process felt totally out of my control. So far, it's easier than I thought it would be ?? although the cats clearly do not agree. I've decided to take it all as one more sign that God's wisdom is greater than our own. With prayers for all our neighbors (animal and human) who must make their home on the street and in hidden places, I send greetings from the menagerie: Shadow, Silver Star, White Sox, and Tortle. Pastor April |
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