dog

More of a Dog-Sitter’s Life

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Currently, I’m staying over and dog sitting three very friendly pups. They’re all so amenable and are no trouble at all. I like dogs. More specifically, I like other people’s dogs.

I think that’s because I get to play with the dogs and pet them and give them snacks and then go home to my very low-maintenance cat who I don’t have to let out at 2 am to go potty. All I have to do is make sure her food and water bowls are full and life is good. Oh, and emptying out her litter box every so often is essential.

But I’m thankful for both dogs and cats. I’m glad that in this world there are both. I just wish that they all lived longer because when they go, they take a little part of us with them, don’t they? The world is a little less joyful and sunshine-y when they depart.

I guess one other reason I like other people’s dogs is because puppies are sweet and cute but also crazy. They have energy for days, don’t know personal space, and tend to do specifically all the things you tell them not to do like chewing on things and people and other animals. Or tearing up stuff. Or generally being a nuisance. But they’re still cute. That helps a lot.

Older dogs are more my style. They’ve reached that stage in life where they have nothing left to prove and can just chill. Plus there’s a gentleness and a sweetness to an old dog that only comes with time and age. When you see a dog with grey on his muzzle and all throughout his body, you know he’s going to be a good boi. It’s inevitable.

But I’m thankful for dogs and for getting to take care of them occasionally. Even if they don’t live long enough and some of them don’t get treated right. I can be eternally grateful for dogs that belong to other people and then go home to my cat who will be grateful in her own right to see me again.

Dog Sitting on the 4th of July

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / 1 Comment

It seems to be a tradition for me lately that I’m dog sitting on Independence Day. Not that I mind. I’d rather be hanging out with two sweet old pups than waiting on fireworks with the masses in the sweaty hot summer air.

I’m thankful for each opportunity that I get to take care of these two. There used to be three, but one crossed the rainbow bridge a few years ago. But I don’t want to take for granted that I’ll always be able to go back to Bellevue and take care of these critters.

Tonight, I hopefully can be a calming presence in the midst of all the fireworks going off up and down the street. I don’t think the pups mind much. So far, they’ve napped through all the good parts. Or at least the really loud parts.

I actually did get to see some very decent fireworks a couple of weeks ago at my church’s VBS Finale Night. Maybe they’re not up to downtown Nashville standards, but I’ll take slightly less spectacular fireworks over waiting the rest of my natural born life to get out of downtown Nashville at 1 am afterward.

Ultimately, today isn’t really about food or fireworks. It’s about freedom. It’s about men and women who shed their blood and laid down their lives so that we could have independence and the liberty to live and dress and speak and think as we want. Ideally, freedom means that we can be our best selves the way God created us to be.

Of course, we celebrate the ultimate sacrifice on Easter Sunday, remembering the cross and the empty tomb. But it’s helpful to remember Jesus laying down His life for those He loved on this day as well. All true freedom traces itself back to that Friday afternoon and that Sunday morning eventually.

I can be thankful for that sitting in a room with two very sleepy dogs away from the madding crowds waiting to see the pyrotechnics begin. I call that a win.

Happy National Pet Day to Peanut!

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / 1 Comment

Today is National Pet Day. At least it is for the next 61 minutes. By the time most of you read these words, it will have been yesterday. But still for those of us fortunate to have fur babies, every day is national pet day. At least our pets think so.

My cat Peanut (although I might as well call myself her human) is all about national pet day. She is also all about comfort. My joke is that she is 1/3 monkey, 1/3 tiny panther, and 1/3 sloth. She is that lazy.

But she is very proactive in her laziness. She will let nothing stand in the way of a prime comfy spot. Pillows? Knock ’em over. Knick knacks? Push ’em aside. Do whatever it takes to create the best napping spot possible because sleeping is priority one. That is Peanut’s life motto, I think.

You can get away with all sorts of stuff when you’re extra small and fluffy. I’m sure dog owners can attest that those puppy eyes can cover over a multitude of sins. The same goes for felines as well (though they tend to care a bit less about their transgressions than dogs).

Peanut has a good life. She gets daily belly and back massages and has her own personal servant who will maintain her food and water bowl and even scoop her poop. In return, she allows me to give her those belly rubs. She even graces me with her divine presence.

Actually, she is a very loving cat. To most people, she is shy and hides, but to a select few, she is very friendly and affectionate. She’s even quite chatty when the mood strikes.

So Happy National Pet Day to Peanut and to all those pets for whom we work all day to be able to maintain their comfortable lifestyle to which they have become accustomed.

A Good Moment

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As I write this, I can hear Millie snoring. She’s a very sweet 12-year old dog that I’m dog-sitting for this week.

I finally figured out tonight what she’s been trying to tell me when she would come up to me and bark. She just wanted me to get down on her level and rub her little doggie belly.

Sometimes, my needs are that simple. Maybe not a belly rub, but maybe just someone who can pat me on the shoulder and remind me that everything will be alright.

Plus, tomorrow’s Friday. That’s always a good thing.

PS She was letting me know her water bowl was empty but it took me way longer than it should have to pick up on that. Now her water bowl is back to full and life is all good again.