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Even a word like ‘unconditional’ doesn’t do justice to the complete, every inch of his soul adoration that a dog truly smitten offers.
No one has ever, or will ever, love me as much as my dog. This is not to demean my husband’s love for me … he totally agrees with this assessment.
Even a word like ‘unconditional’ doesn’t do justice to the complete, every inch of his soul adoration that a dog truly smitten offers. I’m pretty sure if he could speak, what Scout would say to me is, “My whole life is in you…all I am and do are wrapped up in you…my sun rises and sets on your existence.”
After a couple of misses with dogs, we decided to try fostering from a local rescue so we could find out if a dog was a good fit for us. Scout was our first foster. He came from a Kansas City, Missouri animal shelter. Slated to be put down, some blessed soul saw in him the gentle spirit that needed to be someone’s sweetheart. One trip to Minnesota later, he was ours.
The Love of a Dog
When I’m home, he follows my every move. When I leave, he waits for me with baited breath, watching the door for my return.
He often won’t eat or play with his bones while I’m out, and cries without a hint of self-consciousness when I come home to him.
He is the best (and most effective) alarm clock I’ve ever had when he lays on his back and shimmies up next to me, shamelessly asking for a belly rub.
What did I do to deserve this total devotion? Not much. I’m not even the one who feeds Scout, that job goes to my youngest son. But he has my attention. We talk, we snuggle, I pick burrs out of his fur, and make sure he gets his daily rawhide.
As my boys have gotten older, nearing graduation, I’ve been telling the dog that he’s not allowed to die for at least 10 years. “When my boys leave me, I’m going to need you, Scouty.”
Pure Adoration
I’m a lesson finder. It’s what I do. I can’t watch movies, read books, or watch events unfold without looking for a lesson to draw from it. (Anyone else?)
Here’s what I’ve been thinking. Does it bring God this much pleasure when we seek him out for nothing but a snuggle… a little time with our sweetheart? Do his insides melt a little when we gaze at him with eyes full of adoration?
How often do I come to my Father not needing, not expecting, not wanting anything except to BE with him?
And here’s the thing, unlike me… God did do something to earn our affections. He did everything.
I’m reminded of what King David said in Psalm 8
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
We have a God who created the farthest reaches of space and invented the cell…and yet it makes his day to hang out with us.
As I write about the love I have for a mere dog, I can hear the scoffers. And I hear you. I think animals are great, but I’m not a Sarah McLachlan playing-PETA supporting-vegan.
He’s a dog. Just a dog.
And he’s given me nothing… except his pure adoration. But tonight he’s turned my eyes above and taught me a lesson about a lifestyle of worship, and about a God who dotes on me even though I’ve got nothing he really needs.
So right now, I’m going to do a little belly rubbing, and maybe at the same time snuggle up to my good Father and say to him,
“My whole life is in you…all I am and do are wrapped up in you…my sun rises and sets on your existence.”
What lessons have your furry friends taught you?
Thank you Susan for that reflection. I too can relate to that unconditional love; except I have 3, two of which are rescues. The love and worship you feel from these creatures is absolutely breathtaking. My faith has brought me many blessings, and I thank you for that much needed reflection in my life. God Bless You.
ps. Give Scout a long belly rub for me.
Claudia, your note made me smile..Thanks! We can find God in everything if we’re looking, and I think it’s his desire that we share what we’re learning with others. I’m glad that this was a blessing to you today!
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH – I say this all the time!! God gave me a dog because I struggle with people. My dog is a reminder from God that I don’t need to want anything more than to be near Him.
Thanks, Carly – – and Amen! People can be draining, it’s nice to have a live-in ‘bucket filler’ to come home to!
Hi Susan, Just came by from Richella’s blog and so glad I did. You see, my hubby and I have two daughters whom we homeschooled through junior high and high school(we didn’t start till they were going into jr. high)and loved it. Now we all live in Colorado-ten minutes from each other. My daughters have large families(one has six kiddos, ages 15-2 and the other has 5, ages 11-4). They both homeschool. I am a dog lover, always have been; in fact have a sign that says Life without dogs, I don’t think so. I am also a lover of the Lord of Hosts. I appreciated your post, your dog is wonderful-but then I think mine is too. Thanks for sharing; I’m going to follow you.
Hugs, Noreen
Noreen, I’m so glad you stopped by! It’s wonderful to ‘meet’ you. Your family sounds like a real blessing, how fantastic that you live so close to one another. I’ve told my two boys that I don’t care where they live, we’ll move anywhere—but they have to live near each other so we don’t have to choose! 😉 Your kind words made my day! –Be blessed.
I really needed to read this. Thank you for the timely post. And Scout is so adorable.
Debra, Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to write. I’m so glad you were encouraged. All of God’s blessings to you!
Aww! So sweet! What a wonderful friend you have! We have 5 (!) dogs, and they are each special in their own way. And I get followed all around too!
5 dogs! Wow-good for you! I’ll bet you get followed around–and trip over them all the time. I trip over Scout, can’t imagine having 5 furry friends around my feet! Enjoy your babies!
I just love this because our four legged friends are truly the best friends we can have. They are loyal, they care, and they even love us no matter what.
It’s true! We sure can learn a lot from them.
This is precious. We recently moved to a little farm, and got a dog as our first “farm animal.” He’s not much of a farm dog, though- doesn’t bark at bunny rabbits, doesn’t “protect” us from tractors… he doesn’t even stick to his own territory (so we have to keep him enclosed in a fence when he’s off his leash).
And as much as I’d like to believe that I’m not head over heels attached to him, I really truly am. He’s a good buddy, and I treasure our walks and the way he gets all excited when I come to feed him or play with him.
Great reflections- and a wonderful reminder of how we should come before God.
Ally, I smiled reading your description of your dog. It reminded me how animals can have such different personalities. Scout is a giant baby, too. Thanks for stopping by, and taking the time to share your thoughts.
I had never thought about how our dog’s devotion ought to mirror our devotion to the Lord! What a beautiful illustration.
Here’s a further connection- that terrible, guilty look your dog gives you when it misbehaves. Most dogs pretty readily admit to when they messed up! We should do that too!
Ahhh, so true! I love a good analogy/lesson.
I love this. My dog is my baby, but if I gave God even a little bit more of the love I share with Ruby, I’d be serving Him far better. Thank you for a wonderful reminder.
From one lesson finding, dog lover to another, thank you for this post. It made my heart smile. I often correlate my relationship with my dog with my relationship with Christ. My Smokie has taught me so much about adoration and devotion. So blessed to begin my day with this post!