Okay, Okay, I admit it… I love Dogs

Okay, Okay, I admit it… I love Dogs. They are my best friends. Some of them bark at me, some yelp, some wiggle incessantly and others jump all over the place. They are my friends!

Last evening we watched some of the Westminster Dog Show from Madison Square Gardens in New York. And “Uno”, the Beagle, won top honours – he was the Best of the Show.

One of the reports today quotes his handler saying, “Snoopy would be proud.”

“Uno” had lots of competition in the ring last night. Some of their faces are included at the end of this Blog today.

As “Uno” did his stuff for the different judges he acted perfectly normal for a Beagle. “Uno” barked at his handler, bayed at the crowd, tried to grab his leash and took a flying leap at a piece of filet mignon… the treat that is used to keep his attention.

“Uno” reminded me that dogs are fun and want to have fun. “Uno” showed me that life is too short to take it so serious that you miss a treat that is accidentally dropped.

Meet Moses…
Moses came to live with us in 1974. He was a Beagle that loved life. Being that he came to a Minister’s house to live, we thought that he should have a good Bible name. Right about then Dana and Anda, our daughters, had heard of Moses in Sunday School and together we agreed that “Moses” was a great name for the spunky little Beagle that loved to eat.

He grew into our family. He was part of us. Our chair rungs bear record of his teething as he gnawed the wood when we were out. Shoes got chewed well when left at his level.

One day after church Sunday morning, my wife let Moses out to meet me in the driveway to do his business and run a little before lunchtime. Just at that moment our neighbours that we had not yet met, stopped to introduce themselves. As I was shaking his hand, Moses walked behind him, raised his leg and relieved his full bladder on my neighbour’s trousers. That was one great impression left by one not so smart dog.

In the end our neighbours became close friends.
We know Beagles and love them for what they are.

I guess that is why the dogs are man’s best friends. They accept us for what we are at the moment. Then they us accept them.

We loved them when they are rascals, when they are obedient and not so obedient. We love them when they are ill and when they are lightning fast. One big lick from their wet tongue confirms a friendship.

I wonder…
I think sometimes of my human friendships and wonder. If each of the people that I meet were treated with the same love that a dog has for others – how would they respond? I think it might be different.

I have witnessed some pretty discouraging people stuff. People have hurt others and move right along. I won’t dwell on that very long, but it happens and it hurts. They snap and run.

I have so much to learn from my small fuzzy friends.

Today I want to be…
Have you ever thought that funny thought, “If I could be a dog, what would I like to be?” I did. I am sure that I would like to be a Beagle. They can howl at the crowds when everyone is too serious. They get the treats – because they are stomach and noise related. And they are happy all the time. Come to think of it…maybe I am related to a Beagle?

Today I vow to treat some one with as much love as my best friends have given me.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~