What must we look like to those passing by while I am applying dog psychology to The Dog Wonder? NOW--to clarify--I am trying to keep him from harm's way when insisting we go the way I have planned---I avoid the bad traffic, the bad dogs, the cats running loose, even the mocking squirrels on certain paths. I am NOT trying to keep him from all the best scents, all the mondo grass he so dearly loves to sprinkle, all the lizards he loves to chase, or his favorite sidewalks. I see the path ahead and know the dangers involved and am just trying to get us home again safely.
There we stand--often in the middle of the street or by the busy thorough fare dissecting the hood with him pulling one way and me the other. My psychology occasionally works---but very rarely. Many times I have to physically pick him up and point him in the right direction--at times I even have to carry him half a block before he gives us on the direction he was focused on. THANK GOODNESS he weighs eight pounds---I do not know what I would do if he was a hundred pound mastiff.
So off we go everyday---for our three daily walks--or tug of wars. He has it in his tiny head what he wants to do and I know what is best. We spend part of each walk pulling and tugging each other the way we think is best. Guess what--I WIN---EVERY TIME! I am charged with taking care of Hero--making the best choices for him that keep him safe and out of harm's way. Though he does not always like it--he usually acquiesces to my controlling hand. I am the master!
This is a good analogy for my trek through life. I am fine with the way I am headed until God points me in a different direction. I dig my heels in, clinch my teeth and pull the way I want to go with all my might. I seem to lose sight of His way is always the best way. I will never know the trouble, hurt, heart break I have avoided when He insisted upon pulling me out of the path of danger. Speaking of stubborn--I seem to have a stubborn streak of my own. Thank God for His patience and provision--in spite of it!
Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
Oh oh...you talking to me? LOLOLOLOL---Yes, I do believe the good Lord can even send the smallest messengers to teach us a lesson or two, if we're willing to learn. smiles
ReplyDeleteI fear I am a slow learner when it comes to giving up control, Amy Friend!
DeleteBlessings!
At least your dog is small. Mine is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier with the strength of an elephant. He goes where he wants to go. I bought a book to learn how to manage him. He found the book and destroyed it. I took him to dog classes. They put cones on the ground and we were asked to walk by them with our dogs on a lead. he stopped and peed on more than one cone. We were eventually expelled from dog school for being too disruptive. When I take him out for a walk he chases cats and drags me running after him. When cats go up a tree, he climbs the tree too and leaves me hanging there in mid air holding on to the lead. The other day I stopped at the traffic lights before crossing to the other side. He decided at that very moment to pee on my leg. I lifted my leg as a reflex reaction. At that very moment the lights changed green and he ran accross the road dragging me behind him. He decides what he wants to eat. The other day I caught him changing the labels on his dog food cans and putting them on my cans of best ham. No wonder the toast I had for breakfast tasted of dog food instead of ham.
ReplyDeleteSame story with God. In olden days He made people listen to Him by thumping them on the head. The Old Testament is full of it. Then came Jesus and it seems God has gone soft on a rebellious disobedient world.
God bless.
What a great analogy, Victor! I am thankful for Hero's size- at least I can pick him up instead of like you being lifted into the thin air! Oh, I don't think God has gone soft- the consequences just look different now !
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!