GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...
Remember that wonderful fairy-godmother, in our childhood storybooks, who arrives in a flurry of delight and, with a wide smile, offers to grant us three wishes?
Most of us are familiar with the fantasy of suddenly having a stroke of monetary luck, or winning some jackpot, which will allow us the opportunity to reshape our lifestyles in a dramatic way.
If that fairy-godmother were to grant our wishes, will we ask for money? Will we request better health – for ourselves or others? Perhaps, in our earthly greed, we might attempt to cheat her and, much to her surprise, ask that all our wishes come true? Or will our three wishes remain along the lines of a shiny new car, a dream-house or the holiday of a lifetime?
Does it not strike you that these wishes have seldom included a dog?
Why is this, I wonder?
Perhaps it is because we take dogs for granted. After all, they are always around us - part of our lives, our homes and often integral to our families and daily lives.
Scientists are suggesting that dogs are innately designed to seek out humans. There is something about them that urges them to form relationships with us. They have learned to be masters of our body language and have no problem quietly sleeping by our feet for hours. Even when they are neglected, abused and left for dead, they still remain faithful to us.
Yes, they may well do this in their reliance on us for food and shelter, but don’t you ask yourself….
Yes, they may well do this in their reliance on us for food and shelter, but don’t you ask yourself….
WHY IS THAT ANYWAY?
Has it not struck you, that perhaps the very design of a dog’s instinct to have a relationship with a human being was purposefully created this way? Perhaps GOD, in His mighty wisdom, realised that our needs could not always be fulfilled on a human level and saw it fit to create a creature with this purpose. We might go further and ask another question,
“What purpose does DOG really have?”
Yet, human beings fail to question this. Instead, we simply accept the presence of these animals in our lives. Is there not more to this?
I like to think that DOG exists because of the purposeful intention of GOD. I also like to think that DOG exists, not only to fulfull a need in each of us, but also to fulfil a purpose in GOD’s overall plan for the universe. In my personal opinion, DOG’s relationship with us, is a direct gift to us, from GOD, to explore in all its mystery, and to unearth GOD’s overall plan for us all.
Am I going too far in this thinking?
Have you really looked at your DOG today and wondered these things?
What do you think?
Or is this also just part of my own, very personal, fairy-tale?
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20 comments:
You're not alone in wondering .
You are thinking on the same track as I am!! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly
There is not a time that I don't look at my dogs and wonder about them and how/why they were created for mankind. There is not a time that I don't thank God for all the dogs that have blessed my life. There is not a time that - when remembering my dogs of the past - that my eyes don't well up with tears. I question myself and wonder if I was as good to them as they were to me.
There will be never enough time in my life to love all of the dogs I would like to love and to touch all of the dogs I would like to touch. When I die, if my dogs aren't at my feet, I will consider any afterlife there is for me a waste of time.
Hi Maxmom, my dad says that he and mom love all four of us and while it's been a little tough at times, they still would not have traded us for anything in the world. They still miss their other kids but hope that they'll see them again one day.
What a delightful post. We think about this all the time.
Loneliness, compassion, happines are so closley meshed together and are so many time the result of Dogs.
As Scout & Freyja said, I will not live long enough to love, hug and be with all the dogs I wish I could be with. But I have no doubt that Dogs will be with us in heaven. I have always loved and agreed with this quote from the Rev. Billy Graham;
" I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there. "
I agree with you. God knew we'd need a companion other than Him and earthly companions. One who accepts us as we are.
What a cute picture of King Toffee,,,wondering :O)
Dogs don't need a purpose, not really, they just need to be...
If they do need a purpose it would be to be there when the world turns hard and cruel and we need a gentle soul to help us through it. To make us laugh at ourselves and remind us that silliness is okay. To help us reach out to others, because when words get to be too much, a paw on the knee says volumes.
...but, most of all, dog's don't need a purpose...
Sam
mom says she wonders about all that stuff too..
Benny & Lily
That sure is a lot to think about MaxMom! I am just glad that I have such a wonderful hooman that cares for me as much as I care for her!
woos, Tessa
Hi there dear friend, I'm with you in realizing that our dogs are blessings from the good Lord. He uses them to love us unconditionally and to show us loyalty. My life has been so enriched by each dog I've had(even one that we shouldn't have had)and I thank the Lord for each one He brings to us. In fact, I often pray for the next little one He will bless us with.
Hugs today.
Love, Noreen & Reggie-dog
Hi Caryl, I think from reading all the doggie blogs that people wouldn't wish for a dog if they won money because they already have that part of their lives fulfilled. Our dogs are so special, part of our family and makes our lives oh so much better. I don't think we take our dogs for granted at all. We know how precious they are and I believe we seek them as much as they seek us.
I just accept that the love between our family and all the dogs we have owned as a natural part of our lives. Not everyone we know owns a dog and some are quite content with that, but for us, a family includes a dog/s. Have a great week. No worries, and love, Carol and Stella
Dogs have been a part of my life my whole life. But these two goobers I've now were sent specifically from God to be exactly who they are to me right now. I know this without question, as sure as I breathe.
Long story short - my husband did not want another dog after our beloved Spoiler died. Then he acquiesed and said 'let's get two! a brother and sister.' Well, of course!, my heart soared and we've now Bobo and Meja. A year later my husband died. Without these two mutt-a-loves I'd not be here now, no question.
Devine intervention? definitely!!!
Thank you for the thoughtfulness this blessed Sunday Maxmom!!!
Much love - Pam
I think Dogs were created as equal to humans.
I feel God gave us each other for companionship and love.
Some humans can only feel love from dogs.
And because dogs and humans are created equal. I know for sure we will meet our departed pals again.
Dogs hearts are pure. Yes, we are all created equal.. and for each other.
love
tweedles
Truly believe and proven with every animal and dog I have ever encountered. There is no doubt the countless gifts I have been given have come from these creatures through a heaven that knows exactly what I need but could only receive from these beautiful creatures that our world is so blessed with.
Beautiful post. You are not alone. :)
I think the others and you have said exactly what I think too!
I hope you're having a good day Caryl and all is well in your corner of the world!!
Caryl,
Both my husband and I find ourselves often staring at our two guys and wondering just how it came to be that dogs do what they do and are so good at it. One of life's mystery miracles-- no other creature is as attuned to our lives,or says so much without a word.
So I'm wit you on this one!
Joan
Mostly, I just look at them with great appreciation and wonder how I got so lucky to have such wonderful little dogs that I've come to love so deeply.
I'm definitely wary of ascribing 'purpose' in that way, but can assure you that as a dog-deprived child, foremost amongst my fantasies was owning a dog! When, aged forty, I adopted Hamish and phoned to tell my mother, she was initially horrified and alarmed. Then about about week later, having recovered from the shock, she phoned back and said "Gail, I've been thinking, so you really did mean it when you said as a child that you wanted a dog"!
Cheers, Gail.
Dear Caryl,
This is all so true... Dogs are God's gift to us. I can't imagine my life without a dog. There is a wonderful video called "GoD And DoG by Wendy J Francisco" on You Tube. I'm sure you'll love it... I wish you a good night. Hugs to you, dear friend.
In my own blog I've written a bit about something similar to this. I believe that dogs, and Goldens particularly (because they are the dogs I've spent the past 15 years learning and loving) are angels here on earth, and more specifically, the reincarnated spirits of truly good people returned to show us the way. Not just anyone can come back as a dog, and certainly not A Golden; only the very best are capable of the task, for only they are able to truly understand the nature of man, to be patient with us, to nurture us and tend to our wounds, to excite us into play, to stimulate us and open our the bounties of the world.
And so I spend my days trying to emulate the example Duncan daily provides for me. It's the least I can for all he's done for me. And maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to help someone else.
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