I know you've seen it. And if you haven't, you should! Or read the book, it's ten times better! Marley & Me....a true story about the impact of a dog on its family. I am such a crier and such a dog person, so I'm not sure what I was thinking when I read this book, or saw the movie....or re-watched the movie the other day!! But as sad as it is, it got me thinking....
If you aren't a dog person, you will have to forgive me. But even if you aren't, you can't deny the bond and relationships that most people who do own a dog have with their animal. I have Baylor, my 3-year-old 108-pound Golden Retriever. This book touched me, but only because it echoed my own love for my dog.
Dogs are special. Baylor brings a joy to my life that was so apparently missing without him. He is unfailingly loyal, never refuses affection, is constantly willing to show love, doesn't hold a grudge, and thinks I'm the best person in the whole world. He has even managed to make a dog-lover (or at least a lover-of-this-dog) out of my husband. Dogs are special.
I saw this animated song/cartoon thing once. It was comparing a dog's love to God's. It said things like even when I walk away, a dog is waiting with open arms whenever you come back. It doesn't pout because you left it, it's just so thankful you came back. It talked about all we can learn from dogs too-- their selfless devotion, unfailing love, their will to make you happy, their ever-optimistic outlook on life, and the joy that they invariably bring to most circumstances. It even pointed out that DOG is GOD backwards. And it hit me: maybe God put "man's best friend" here as an ever present example of how to live? I know it's been said before, but the more I think about the ways of my dog, the more I wonder why we think it's so complicated....A dog loves. Loves life, loves his family, loves a stranger (at least a Golden Retriever does...).
Love for those around us......it's that dog-gone simple! : )
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