Oct
23
2017
The Puppy
Posted in Discipleship 6 Comments
Our son and his wife got a puppy.
They already had a cat.
Both their cat and their dog seem to be friends.
The animals are well loved.
They chose a Springer Spaniel or rather, she chose us, as my son likes to say.
My son told me the story about the day they went to get their dog.
All the other puppies were indifferent to us, he told me.
But this little one stretched up towards us and when we saw her eyes, we knew.
Little one was an accurate description because their puppy was the smallest of the litter.
He said the words again at the end of his story.
She chose us.
I remember the day they brought her home and the video he sent to all of us.
My son and his wife named their dog, Piper.
I have never seen a dog with more soulful eyes.
They are enjoying her.
Springer Spaniels are a very smart breed of dog.
My son has already taught her to sit, lie down, and stay on command.
I watched him feed her.
Her little stub of a tail wagged back and forth in excitement.
Wait, he commanded with his deep voice, and she sat and waited with her tail wagging.
As soon as the food was in her bowl, he allowed her to go to her bowl and eat.
They are starting her out young and training her the way they desire.
She loves to be with them.
She sleeps in a crate and travels with them in the crate as well.
My son is the drummer for the worship band, THE EVIDENCE.
This fall has been quite busy since the band has been playing many venues.
The band just played on The National Mall in Washington, DC.
This past weekend, the band played locally at the home church of the lead singer.
My daughter-in-love is a nurse.
She is so faithful to be with her husband wherever the band plays.
This past weekend, she worked a twelve hour shift and could not be with him.
My son knew that he would have to bring the dog with him to our house.
We do not have any pets.
With allergies and croup when my children were young, it was recommended not to have any.
Our house is extremely child friendly; it has been a while since I had to consider pets.
We just got all new rugs installed throughout our house.
I deferred to my husband on this decision.
Of course, our children can come home at any time; we love when they are here.
Having a pet will never be the reason for them not to come home.
The dog is just a puppy and though seemingly housebroken, my husband wanted to be cautious.
He ordered a large gate with a door that actually swings open.
The opening between our kitchen and family room is 101 inches.
He was quite proud of himself when he found a 192 inch gate which folds like an accordion.
He ordered it and it came in a few days; sections were removed to accommodate our space.
He told our son that the puppy could have the entire kitchen and laundry room area.
Her crate would be in the unfinished part of our basement.
The puppy could not be on any of the rugs.
My son agreed and seemed pleased with the arrangement.
When my son and his wife only had their cat, they could easily go away for the weekend.
Having a dog is quite different.
Arrangements have to be made.
I want to see my son and his wife as often as possible, so nothing was going to hinder that.
The gate arrived a few days before the local concert.
The band had to get there a few hours earlier to set up and do a soundcheck.
The puppy stayed with us in the kitchen and the laundry room area behind the new gate.
She loved playing with her toys; she loved having her own food and water bowls here.
My husband was the one who walked her; she sat at my feet.
My husband was the one who fed her; she followed me around.
When we ate a quick dinner before the concert, the dog was right under my chair.
I do all the work and you get all the glory, my husband teased.
When either of us left her confined area, she stood at the gate and waited for us to come back.
Whenever she heard one of us come through the door, she waited to see who arrived.
My son and his wife hang a bell from their door that she has learned to hit with her nose.
We did not have any bell so we timed her walks and she was still successful.
My son was very grateful that their little dog would be cared for while he played music.
All the commands that my son has taught her were effective when we said them as well.
I was amazed at how much the little puppy has learned in such a short period of time.
She has learned to listen to her master’s voice.
Since we drove separately, my husband left right after the concert to come back to the dog.
When I arrived home a bit later, I walked in to see them playing in the kitchen.
She came over to me when she saw me.
She ran right back to play with her favorite toy.
It was when my son came home that I saw it.
My husband had left the kitchen and the dog was watching for him at the gate.
My son came in but his little dog did not see him..
She heard a familiar voice and her ears went up as she stood at attention.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
I heard a little whimper that she never did when she heard our voices.
She heard her master.
She just did not know where his voice was coming from.
I put my fingers to my lips as my son sat down on the floor.
He called her name.
She turned in the direction of his voice.
She saw him.
She ran to him with such abandon.
The little stump of a tail was wagging furiously.
All was well with the world.
Even though she was well cared for, we are not her master.
She knows the sound of his voice; we can never take his place.
I watched the two of them play on the floor.
The dog that stood at attention all afternoon waiting for that familiar voice was now still.
My son sat on the floor as we talked about the concert, and the little puppy fell asleep.
The sweet little puppy was asleep in my son’s lap within minutes.
There is nothing wrong with an old dog falling asleep before his master. (Brennan Manning)
There is comfort in the master’s presence.
There is protection in his arms.
There is security in his lap.
We are like the little puppy who fell asleep within minutes while in my son’s arms.
In the Master’s presence, we are comforted.
In the Master’s arms, we are protected.
In the Master’s lap, we are secure.
We stand at the gate.
We wait.
We listen.
When we hear His voice, we run to Him with abandon.
Precious post, Gina!! I love the analogy! If Piper’s eyes are as beautiful & deep as they are, can you imagine what Jesus’ eyes are going to look like?!
Thanks so much for sharing this!!
Ann
Amen, Ann!
I imagine Jesus’ eyes to be loving and tender with no condemnation. I also imagine His laugh to be full and rich, with total joy.
Gina
Beautiful.
Piper is adorable.
How gracious to make such thoughtful accommodations for Piper’s visit.
Alissa,
I love my children and their spouses. Whatever we need to do to make their time at home easier is what we will do! Piper is adorable. The photo credit goes to my son.
Gina
Beautiful Gina, how true! (And the picture is adorable)
Sherie,
I knew you would enjoy any post about a dog!
You (and Teddy) have to meet Piper!
Blessings,
Gina