LESSONS FROM HERO~THE WONDER DOG


Hero, The Wonder Dog, went with me to Texas to watch the grands for a long weekend.  The back ground story on Hero is he was once the grands' dog.  He came to live with me following a back injury just over a year ago which prevented him from running up and down the stairs in their house.  Hero stayed outside a great deal of the time when living with them (he hid in the bushes for some strange reason--perhaps staying out of the path of the two littles). .  We ALL know Hero is a known runner.  After landing in the slammer a few times, they had an invisible fence installed, since he was so small he could slip between the iron fence slats of the back yard fence.  Hero never tried to run out of the invisible fence.  The warning the collar gave him was enough to keep him in the yard.

Fast forward, Hero has lived with me for over a year, we are going back to their house for the weekend, and I am more than a little nervous about him making a break for it.  He no longer has the receptor collar and his replacement, Brock, has inherited the sensor for his collar.  Hero is still a nervous Nellie around the littles and prefers to stay outside.  I am understandingly nervous about him heading for the hills since I am not sure he remembers the threat of being shocked if he leaves the parameters of the fence.



Turns out The Wonder Dog has the memory of an elephant and never tries to make a get away the entire weekend. His past experience has been a great teacher and he has not forgotten the threat of possible pain if he sticks his neck out.  Poor Hero---he loves to wander ---and he missed his big chance (not that I am complaining).  There was a whole world out there waiting to be sniffed and marked and he missed his golden opportunity for fear of being shocked.  A shock that could not possibly happen.




This is remarkably like our own spirit of timidity when it comes to the possibility of  being hurt, embarrassed, in pain...  Once we have experienced a painful or unpleasant experience, we begin to guard ourselves against the chance of suffering the same consequences again.  We put an invisible fence up around our hearts and refuse to take any risks or steps that might lead to pain.  We forego the possibility of great things, big adventure, new relationships because we fear the risk of pain and suffering which might happen.  We stand behind the invisible line we have drawn in the sand and dare not cross when we give in to our fear.  The  old saying "Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all" perfectly portrays what I am trying to say.  "Nothing ventured, Nothing gained" is another great phrase describing my thoughts.  Stick a toe in the deep end and test the water---What is the worst thing that could happen?  A little shock--but the better question is What are we missing if we don't try?


For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, 
but of power, love, and self-discipline.
II Timothy 1:7


10 comments

  1. You mention the memory of an elephant. I really don't believe that elephants never forget. I have never received a birthday card from an elephant.

    You also mention the collar you put on the dog and it stops him running away. How small do they make these collars? Because I have just bought a flea circus as a hobby and I am training the fleas to sing. I don't want them all to run away.

    Seriously though. You also mention our spirit of timidity. We tend to raise barriers around us because of trust - or lack of it. In any relationship, be it business, friendship, marriage or whatever there is an element of trust. Trust is the biggest part of a relationship because we give a part of ourselves to the other person; and as a result we become vulnerable. If that trust is broken, which happens often in life, we become wary and less willing to trust again. So what are we to do? Not trust anyone ever and go through life suspecting everyone? This would be impossible and would jeopardize our every relationship.

    We have to accept that with trust we become a little more vulnerable and susceptible to abuse of that trust. It’s a risk we take as we journey through life.

    With one important exception:

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1 NIV.

    God bless.

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    1. Well said, Victor!! As for the flea circus and tiny collars, thank you for my first laugh of the day!
      Blessings on your day, My Friend!

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  2. Hero will be fine, smiles. Another great post. Hope you have a beautiful day friend.

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    1. Hero has it made in the shade😆! Safe driving once you get the snow pack removed!
      Blessings!

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  3. We’ve never doggy people, BUT for 2 weeks we have been housesitting in NM. Along with our housesitting came 2 dogs to feed, walk, and love. To our amazement, we have fallen in love with these adorable creatures...and they us. Such valuable lessons they have taught us in just 2 short weeks.
    Loved this blog.

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    1. Hero’s love and loyalty are a great day to day lesson in how I should live. Warning- it comes with responsibility-but also has rewards!
      Blessings You Two!

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  4. Dogs unlike some people remain faithful throughout life. They are true examples of unconditional 💕

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    1. You are absolutely correct! I commented that very thing on Vannie’s comment above. Currently he is asleep on my lap- the living definition of a lap dog!
      Blessings!

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  5. Another superb analogy, Loralu! When we've been burned by an experience, it's tough to garner the courage to try again. But you are so right to point out that there are a whole lot of adventures we could be missing out on if we don't.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank You, Martha. Praying for you, Friend!
      Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!