Tuesday, April 27, 2010

STOP ACTING LIKE DOGS

This morning both the "boys" were jumping and chewing on each other and then on me. They run and charge each other, rolling on the floor barking. Once again they jump up chasing each other from room to room. Today was no different. However, this morning my agenda was full. I had no time to play with them, and each time they barked and jumped on me I became less patient. Finally I yelled at them. "Stop acting like dogs." Wait a minute. They are dogs. What am I doing? I closed my Bible. Walked to the cupboard where their leashes are. Bailey stood with that little Westie foot poised, waiting. I mentioned the word, walk, and they spun in circles, ready to go. We never mention the word "walk", unless we mean it. We usually have to spell it, but there are some days I think Bailey understands that too. The door slammed behind me, reminding me I was leaving my cell phone and computer. I have so much to do today, Lord. The sun beat down on my face and the birds were singing on the wire above the house. They seemed to be singing, "it's okay, you won't be gone long, enjoy this beauty the Lord has provided for you this morning." Both the "boys" were gingerly marking their territory as we headed for the lake. Their favorite place to go. Sunshine, rain, wind or heat of the day, the love the lake. Normally I turn them loose once we get there, but someone mentioned spotting a "tiny" alligator in the lake a month or so ago. In my minds eye, I can't picture a "tiny" alligator. Even though I have never seen it, I couldn't let them off the leash. I think Bailey could get away, but Meko, the little three-pounder would probably be "lunch". They didn't object to remaining on the leash, though Bailey tugged for a moment. We walked close to the waters edge, each of them getting their feet wet. Bailey explored and sniffed every inch of the beach. He was under the dock, around the steps, and back on the other side. Meko, not wanting to be left out, was right behind "his brother." As I watched them, and tried sometimes in vain to keep their leashes from becoming tangled, I realized how Meko followed Bailey. Meko wasn't afraid of anything. As long as Bailey checked it out, Meko followed very closely. It reminded me of my own life. How many times I "don't check things out". Because someone I know, and trust said it was okay, I follow along. And what is it, what's the criteria for "following" someone? Do we just follow along because it's fun? Or it seems like the right thing to do? Or is it more than that? In Meko's case, I don't think he really cares. He just wants to be with Bailey. It took me a long time not to just "follow" along. Most of the time I know where I'm going. I always know who I'm following. And I know why I try to follow HIM. Sunday I read a book written by Wm. Paul Young, The Shack. If you haven't read this work of fiction, I recommend it. I couldn't put it down. It answers many questions in a way I've never thought of. He's a fabulous writer and story teller. Let me know what you think.

16 comments:

Niki Turner said...

I didn't realize you had a Westie! Me, too! His name is Archie. He's 2-1/2 and I love him dearly. God often uses the behaviors of my pets as mini object lessons!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Shack. It stretched my thinking about my perceptions of God, how often I keep Him neatly ensconced in a small, manageable box in my mind when He is so much more than my little image of Him.
Blessings!
Niki

Karen Lange said...

Your 'boys' are cute! Sounds like they keep you on your toes. Thanks for the info about the book. Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Karen

Rita Garcia said...

Your "boys" sound precious! I have read, Shack, and also highly recommend it. Thanks for the inspiration this morning! Hugs, Rita

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Niki,
Don't you love Westies? But Meko is adorable too. He's a Maltese who thinks he's a Rottweiler. I loved the thought provoking moments in The Shack. Mr. Young is a fabulous writer.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs
Katt

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Karen, sometimes I get a bit carried away with "the boys". It's funny, sometimes the neighbors will stop by and make comments about "the boys"!
Blessings and hugs
Katt

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Rita, my friends comment, when I die I want to come back as your dog! What do you think that means??? ha ha
Hugs
Katt

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Katt -

I got a good chuckle over your pooches being able to spell. I'm not surprised since my cats learned the sign for "cookie." (We called their treats, "cookies.")

I read The Shack and enjoyed it. It certainly presented God in a different way.

Blessings,
Susan

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Susan, one night my husband said do you want to take the boys for a w-a-l-k? And Bailey jerked his head around and Meko started prancing----so it might have been the entire sentence. At any rate they both make us laugh. I did love The Shack & I hope everyone who wants to gets to read it. Really makes you think---
Hugs and Blessings
Katt

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

What a wonderful example of God's Love and Understanding and Reflection and Patience. You're a dear, sweet, lovely lady, and every time I read one of your posts I thank God for bringing you into my life. Let's make a date for lunch in 201? and we'll share a big fat chunk of chocolate cake. Or cheese cake. Or....

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy, what about tonight---cheesecake?? Patience? I was ready to choke them both this morning! ha ha. Not really---they are too cute and funny. I wish you could see the way they prance when the march down the street. When they know we are going to the lake they are on a mission!
I thank God you are in my life too!
Hugs
Katt

Carol J. Garvin said...

Your "boys" sounds very sweet. My inlaws used to have a couple Maltese that they adored.

Our Lab agitates for his daily walk with my husband (they do a brisk two miles every day) but when a meeting or other appointment interferes, the dog knows I can't do the same regime. Then he patiently lays around until he decides it's time I took a break, and he begs me for an outing, so we mosey down the forest path to the marsh. I always return rejuvenated for the tasks at hand. Sometimes I think our dogs provide us with the brief escapes we often need but don't realize we do.

I read THE SHACK but wasn't enthusiastic about it. I think I was critiquing the writing too much! I found it started out as one kind of story and immediately launched into something altogether different, something that was a little too far fetched for me, and didn't fit with my theology. However, apart from all that, it was an interesting fictional exploration of the author's concept of the Trinity.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol, thanks for your comments about your dog. Mine are so spoiled and I'm the first to admit it. When I first read the Shack I had somewhat of a problem too then I realized that was HIS style and not necessarily his beliefs but each theory had a message or lesson about love and forgivness. I thought his overall message was that---because our beliefs or as different as black and white, but I enjoyed the book. Thanks for your insight. Hugs and many blessings my friend.
Love you
Katt

Crittersister said...

I love dogs and yours sound adorable!

Katt, I did read 'The Shack'. It was one of our book club selections. I had mixed thoughts about it. Just couldn't get used to the Trinity portrayed as they were in the book. I think it would be especially hard for new Christians to understand.

Kindest regards,
Carolyn

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carolyn, I know what you mean about reading The Shack. It took me a while too when I first started reading it to get used to the authors point of view.
I miss you.
Hugs,
Katt

kathy taylor said...

I love The Shack, the way the author thinks of God in a way we don't expect. I am laughing at your blog because we spelled f-o-o-d and one of our toy fox terrier's ears perked up the other day. Yes, dogs can spell!

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Kathy,
Thanks for stopping by. Our "boys" are so spoiled. Meko is under my feet at the moment-----chewing a bone. Waiting to go for a w-a-l-k. Oh, you know what I mean!
Hugs
Katt