Going to the dogs? Maybe we should.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have always loved dogs. I proudly wear my hat (shown above) to affirm my affinity for the four-legged fur-babies who have so insanely enriched my life.

I have often spoken about the fact that I am sure that God has a sense of humor as indicated by His naming of these animals by using His name in reverse order. I add that I believe this is so because;

1) dogs consistently show the same characteristics that God has always shown towards us and,

2) dogs have historically been referred to as man’s best friend.

The common characteristics I mentioned above would certainly include such things as unconditional love, absolute faithfulness, unblemished hearts and pure minds, steadfastness, and more. Obviously, like people, there are some bad apples in the lot, but overall, I would suggest that most dogs hold those God-like qualities.

When I was with my dog Kelly (and all the others before her) I often wondered what they would say if they could speak and communicate with me as many humans do–ignoring my faults and shortcomings, or speak out of love to help me, to grow me, to make me a better person. Have you ever, perhaps secretly, wondered the same? It would be interesting, I think, to hear what they might share. Admittedly, I don’t know how dogs’ minds work (other than what they do instinctively—like sniffing other dogs butts), but I know that they do not think like we humans do. Trips to the dog park and play days at the kennel have proven that without a doubt. For instance.

I never saw any indication Kelly didn’t like another dog because it was a Labrador, poodle, or pug.
I never saw her act like she didn’t like another dog because it was fat or too thin, too tall or too short.
I never saw her turn her nose up at a dog of a different color or breed.
She never rejected another dog because it didn’t have a tail, or its ears flopped.
Basically, I never saw her “thin-slice” any other dog—you know, look down on it because it was different than her.

We can learn some things from our dogs, can’t we?

If we wanted to, we could learn the value of getting along with others who are different (in any way) from ourselves.
We could learn to accept others for who they are.
We could learn to live in harmony with each other when we are in this daily day-care we call life, couldn’t we?
Truthfully, we could learn the Jesus way to do life.

We can’t, but perhaps if we could, we should all go to the dogs so we could learn a few things about doing life in a godly manner.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV