Animals

Teddy & Ruth

I often joke about our dog, how she is totally spoiled and untrained, but actually she is one of the most loving pets I have ever owned. For someone that has owned many pets, this actually a high compliment, and not earned very easily. Case in point:
I recently returned from a weekend away in which there was a small teddy bear left in my room for a small fee. It just so happened that particular evening I really needed a teddy bear to cuddle and cry many tears upon. The following day, I did the same, the poor teddy, was a bit damp as I tucked him away in my luggage.
When I returned home I unpacked said Teddy, I placed him amongst my collection in front of the fire place and beside our TV. Eight or nine bears now were a part of the collection in that part of our home. I quickly forgot about that Teddy.
A few days later my husband came home and found the said bear held gently between our dog’s paws and she was carefully licking every place I had cried my tears. My husband did not know the significance of why the dog chose that particular bear over the several others she could have chosen from, so he was a bit unsure as to the significance since our dog had never chosen a bear to cuddle before.
A few days later my husband and I were discussing the new bear and he mentioned how he had found our dog tenderly cleaning every part of the small little bear.
I paused the conversation as I pondered why that bear might be different than all the other bears…then I knew why. She was washing away every tear that I had cried, I responded, “Oh, I know, I cried a bucket full of tears on that bear.”

A silent tear rolled down my face, as I remembered the scripture that talks about how at the end of all time our tears will be wiped away. I realized in a small way my dear dog had reminded me, that I was not alone in that room crying all those tears, that God had been there with me and…

There will come a time when there will be no more need for tears.
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Stacey Britton

That Dog!!!

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Dog-dogs-35247719-3706-2480 (2)“Hey… where did my boxers go?” then “RUTH!!” I hear this one-sided conversation at least three times a week at my house. Usually at least once from my husband and the other two times from my sons. I chuckle and laugh, Ruth, the dog, has gotten her revenge again!

Ruth is our Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog, which really isn’t from the retriever family at all. She is part big dog and little dog, she could be registered, but she’s not, she could be well-trained, but she is not…she’s just THAT DOG!! We love our dog! She loves us and shows us this frequently by howling us awake when she hears the neighbors open their doors. Sleeping between us instead of at the foot of the bed – to keep us warm of course.  She also loves to drink water from the wrong drinking bowl…ugh!

Ruth is the most loving animal I have ever had, and I’ve had many pets. I am an only child, so while growing up, animals held a great position in my heart. They were my friends, confidants, comforters, play mates and great running mates! I even had a rooster, yes, this little city gal raised a chicken that was all her own. I also herded cattle, I’ll save those tidbits for another story.

As I write this Ruth is barking at the fireworks associated with the ringing in of the new year, even though it is over an hour away AND I have given her something to help relax her. She never does what she is supposed to UNLESS it is to sit when I tell her sit (only if I have something to give her to eat!).

Ruth always greats each family … (had to take a break to give her the rest of her calming meds – yikes!) As I was writing, Ruth greets each family member with a tiny little lick on the hand or knee or foot, then she saunters on as if to say, “I’m here, watching over you, I love you and I’ll be sure to bark if there is a problem!”

When my husband comes home from work you would have thought that she had not seen him for days the way she prances around, barks, jumps, gets her bone, throws it into the air, does at least three laps and then sits at his feet or on his lap. It is absolutely hilarious! While in comparison when I come home she is happy, licks my hand and might run one lap. I think the difference is, my husband just eats it up, talks to her, revs her up, laughs and carries on like she is the best thing since melted button on toast.

I love my Ruth, the family loves Ruth but…every once in a while (a least once a day) you can hear one of us saying…”THAT DOG!!!”