A lesson from Joe Dog

Dear Mrs. Higgins,

I love the little guy.

Actually, I delight in him. He really doesn’t have much practical use, but there you go. He has been described as being so ugly he’s cute, and I’m comfy with that. I’ve trained him to go to the bathroom where he is supposed to, but that is about as far as his education has gone.

Most of the time he doesn’t listen much to me. He may look at me, but pretty much has his own agenda. Even when he is doing something stupid and against his own best interests, he will, most of the time, ignore my commands.

He does love me though, in his own way. He'll get all excited and give me all kinds of attention, then gradually move away to do his own thing.

I love to watch him run. We’ll go out for a walk and I’ll let him off the leash, and he just takes off. Strange how I get joy just watching him run free. He’ll go quite a ways, but always checks in with where I am, and how far away he is.

The other night, it was storming. He always wigs out when there is a storm out there, so he’s following every step I take. He insists that I pick him up and hold him. Kind of whiney and persistent, he needs tons of attention. I hold him, and his teeth stick out, and his breath stinks (probably from the goose poop that he loves), and he’s totally demanding.

Finally the thunder quits, and he settles down.

Shortly, he’s back doing his own agenda - totally ignoring me.

I think Joe's teaching me about God and me.

I totally love the little guy. Actually, I delight in him.

Mike



Dear Mike,

I have a hard time telling you and Joe apart, white beards and all, but you may be onto something.

Keep going to the bathroom where you are supposed to and consider upping your education.

If we all would realize how much He delights in us, I think we'd live a lot better and have a lot more peace.

Think about crawling on His lap even when the thunder isn't booming.

Mrs. H.