For several months now, I’ve had a yearning I couldn’t shake. I wanted to get a puppy.
It’s only been two years since my last puppy, mind you. Only two years since the potty training, the incessant chewing, the nibbling on my toes (which gave me cellulitis), and the gnawed corners on my dining room bench.
But perhaps it’s because my oldest dog is getting slower . . . or because I’m getting slower . . . or because our family has been going through some stuff that has been really tough. I was still practical–I didn’t want another mastiff, because it’s expensive to raise a dog that big, and my strength isn’t what it used to be. And I wanted to help support a rescue and take one of their dogs.
But I confessed to my husband that maybe my primary reason was that we all needed a little bit of unbridled joy in our lives. That’s what a puppy is.
So I started searching. I wanted a puppy so I could train him properly. I need a dog that’s super-friendly, because we run an airbnb, and I can’t have a dog that would be suspicious of strangers. So I found a Labrador retriever mix, and we filled out the adoption papers. As I’m writing this, we are about thirty hours away from picking up Toby, and I can’t wait. Neither can the grandkids. 🙂
I read a book a few years ago that made me rethink the animal kingdom–DOMINION: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy, by Matthew Scully. I realized that man was created to have a benevolent dominion over the animals. Yes, God intends for us to eat them (remember, he made Adam and Eve clothing from animals), but we are not to cause them to suffer. We are not to hunt them purely for pleasure. We are to treat them as we want God (who has dominion over US), to treat us.
In my volunteer work with animals, I’ve met so many wonderful and compassionate people–they pour out their lives for dogs and cats. When so many pets are being mistreated, that is a wonderful thing. Yet we must keep a biblical perspective. We were created to serve God, animals were created to serve us. But how many people would say that we must protect eagle’s eggs and unborn puppies and yet abort a child?
I’m not trying to be political–I am simply pointing out the inconsistency I see.
God created the universe, and each of us has a place in it. But we are not in charge. We are not the top of the pyramid. Our society seems to be forgetting that.
Do you have pets? How many and what kind? Please leave any comments below–I love hearing from you!
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Amen all over this, Angie. And that pic of Toby! Be still my heart. Joe and I have two Australian Terriers. Murphy and Bailey. Half brother/sister. Same mom, different dad. 😉
Our daughter Kelsey is considering fostering with a local organization who places animals with families. We’re a dog-loving bunch!
Thanks for the book recommendation too!
I think Kelsey will love fostering. Toby had a really good foster mom, and it shows! He has his first vet appointment this morning (with our vet), and he’s settling in nicely. Sometimes I think dogs are angels . . . they certainly know how to comfort, cheer, and yes, even guide. 🙂
God has given us the creatures of this planet to love and take care of. Whether they are in the air, land, or water. We are their voice.
I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. All are rescues. I have a 14-year-old long-haired mini dachshund, an 8-year-old blue merle rough collie, and a 2-year-old color-headed sheltie, An 8-year-old white cat who is deaf, and a 2-year-old Sphynx. Each is loved, cherished, and is very special with their own personalities.
I have fostered and belonged to a rescue transport team.
Puppies and kittens are wonderful and bring so much life into our hearts. I have also rescued and adopted older dogs and cats who have so much love to give.
I am a foster failed parent to a couple of them. lol
They all bring life and joy and my family.
God bless you and your volunteer rescue work, Wendy. God holds a special blessing for those who care for their animals. 🙂
Angie, I get an ache every so often for a new puppy. Boo is five now. My cat, Pinky, is eleven. My neighbor had a Great Pyrenees. Gentle Jack, we in the neighborhood called him. He passed this last year, and everyone misses him, including all of the toy dogs like mine who loved to run with him. Well, he loped and they ran all out. Boo and Pinky bring so much joy and laughter into my home.
PS I think dogs were meant to teach us what it means to love unconditionally. And cats were meant to put us in our place.
LOL! So true!
Isn’t it true? When they pass, they always leave a hole in the house. Sometimes I think God should have made dogs live as long as people, then I realized that their shorter lifespan gives us the chance to love more dogs. As always, He knew what He was doing. 🙂
For 40 years we had cattle, horses, turkeys, chickens, dogs and cats. We now have downsized into town but after a short hiatus we have a dog again. We love her dearly but it seems strange that this pup is a pet. In the past everyone had their job on the ranch including the animals.
Enjoy Toby! His breeding includes some of our favorite dogs.
Pets certainly have their place, too–they teach all of us a lot, but I think they can be excellent teachers for children. And yes, Toby’s lineage is pretty amazing. I’ve always had a thing for the big working dogs. 🙂
But how many people would say that we must protect eagle’s eggs and unborn puppies and yet abort a child? Amen, sister! I scratch my head every time someone places more value over an animal than a child. God gave us the order of things, but we keep trying to knock it out of whack.
I’m a former dog owner and miss that wagging tail to greet me. I’ll live vicariously through you with your new puppy and look forward to seeing and hearing more about Toby in future posts.
We have a Blue Aussie – a Blue Heeler/Australian Shepherd mix. Rikki turned out to be a fair bit bigger than we expected and has the long hair of the shepherd which we were hoping would not be the case. However, coming to us at 5 weeks of age, we have had 11 and a half years of love by now. We do talk of getting a puppy, but this is not the right time. Hopefully soon, as I know Rikki would enjoy a companion!
Love the picture of Toby ❤️
You’ll know when the time is right. :-). And congratulations on such a long and wonderful time with Rikki.
Excellent. Well said, as always, Angie.
Thank you, Kay!
We have two rescue cats and I drive 10 miles round trip every day to feed three feral cats. The two at home tell us what they want to eat and the three feral cats say thank you for what you bring. I love them all.
How kind of you! I had two feral cats living under our house. I was about to take them to get spayed through a spay/neuter program in our community, then they disappeared. Hmm. Feral cats have a tough life, so I’m glad you help them out.
Wonderful post, Angie, and Toby is precious!
I’ll admit I’ve never had a dog in my life, but have always had cats (or rather—they’ve had me, LOL).
I have 6 rescue cats in my home, and they all live pampered lives. If I could, I’d have even more, but my husband is not a cat person.
After many years of marriage, I think he’s finally realized taking care of cats is a big part of who I am – – plus it’s really helped me in handling an “empty nest” (which was very difficult for me). My kitties add so much joy to my life, and I call them my “toddlers in fur” LOL! 😉
Blessings on your husband . . . my hubby also tolerates my passion for animals (including the chickens), but I think he secretly likes them, too. And yes, they do become our babies, in that they are there to receive love and give comfort. Blessings on your full household!
Toby is a cutie! I have a ten-year old toy poodle who brings me joy and comfort when I am sad. She always knows. You are correct about protecting eagles and aborting babies. Just not right. Have a blessed day!
Blessings to you and your poodle, Linda. They are such smart and loving dogs! I hope you have many more years together!
We rescued Maggie (a Boston Terrier/Jack Russell mix) in 2012 & she’s the reason why we’re full-time RVers. She’s a wonderful traveler.
Brilliant! That is definitely an advantage of small dogs–they travel well. Just getting my mastiffs to the vet is a major undertaking, but we do whatever’s necessary, don’t we? Blessings to you and Maggie!
Awww, so cute! Puppies are so much work, but you are right, unbridled joy! We have a cat, Monet. We adopted 2 sisters at the same time, Mabel and Monet, but a neighborhood dog pack got Mabel. It was so sad. Monet rules the roost now, and the pasture. We also live next door to our granddog, Ginger, a chocolate lab. Such a goof and sweetie.
So sorry to hear about Mabel! Yes, dog packs can be dangerous, and that’s why owners should make sure their dogs are always safely contained. Sounds like Money is happy now, and I know your granddad is precious. Love those labs! 🙂
Angie, this is amazing. I read this and laughed since I’ve had a feeling of getting a puppy and I’d planned to name it Toby if I did get one. I’ve been going through some things lately and I need something to love me unconditionally and to let me love unconditionally. So far, I haven’t found my Toby but I’ll keep looking. I haven’t had a pet in over ten years, so it will be a big challenge. But I need that challenge. Thanks for sharing this!