Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Dog Blog

I have a writer friend who let’s her dog, Jack, post on facebook a couple of times a week (I guess it would be more accurate to say that she helps him post on her facebook page). Jack certainly is adorable, and he shares pithy slices of wisdom – “Jack’s Tips for Healthy Living” – to go along with the cute photographs she takes.
Scout Labradoodle checking to make sure I'm still here
Scoutie! Consequently, I’ve considered collaborating with Scout Labradoodle on the occasional blog post. I guess we could call it a “dog blog!”
Yesterday we had to make a quick visit to the vet’s office for a booster shot. The rain was torrential, so I left Scout with Christine (the clinic manager and a wonderful friend) for around 45 seconds while I moved the car up close to the entrance. 45 seconds! You know that’s not a lot of time in the great scheme of things. But, 45 seconds or 45 days, it was still a glad reunion for Scout! She burst through the office door and jumped all over me in excitement before bounding into the back seat of my car.
Scout evidently sees life in two very clearly defined categories. With my family. Not with my family. There’s no middle ground with her.
Scout has an uncomplicated view of the world. Everything comes back to relationships. Nothing else really counts.
  • Scout laughing about something....
    She could be tired, hungry, sick, recovering from surgery (she once ate significant amounts of pink fiberglass insulation!), soaking wet from a sudden rainstorm, or in trouble for stealing something potentially edible from Rebekah’s purse, … but all is right with her world if only she’s with her people.
  • Or she could be living it up with her favorite food, lying in her personal cool spot on the tile, heading out for a three-mile hike around the neighborhood, or sorting through her box of toys… yet none of it means a thing if she can’t share it with the people she loves.
She’s on to something, you know.When I think about how much time and effort people dedicate to acquiring goods and services, things advertised to improve our lives and make us happy. Then I consider how much effort goes into valuing and nurturing relationships. Our spouse. Our children. Our parents. Our friends at church. Our neighbors.
Maybe we should get ourselves a more uncomplicated view of the world. A dog’s view:
  • People = good!
  • Stuff = merely decorative.
At Bible-study Tuesday evening, Charles tagged our Corinthians study by reading the following from the end of the second book.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Scoutie
It sounds like something Scout Labradoodle would wholeheartedly agree with.
- Woof!
Scoutie
Disclaimer: All photographs were taken within a few minutes of Scout’s most recent grooming. Being a real labradoodle, she may or may not look anything like these pictures in real life. (no offense, Scout!)

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