The Jack Russell Terrorist

About 4 years ago, the boys purchased another dog after we had grieved over the death of our Retriever-German-Shepherd mix dog (Cindy-girl) for a few months. Of all the dogs I've owned, the best experiences have been with retrievers. Against my better judgment, I agreed to this purchase. We did our research and thought we understood the high-energy frenetic nature of these dogs. We had no idea.

This is Jackie's picture. She seems calm now, but don't let that fool you. In a moment (or less), she can turn from the tranquil to the insane. This dog reacts (freaks) over the following catalytic events:
  • Public displays of affection. No overt PDA. Period. We will test this as a family by having a group hug and listen as the barking begins and all semblance of rational thinking leaves her.
  • Loud noises (i.e., doorbells, yelling, laughing (sometimes)).
  • Catches sight of her tail. This sparks spinning that can last some time.
  • Gets to go in her kennel.
  • Finds her ball.
  • And, so many more.
Interestingly enough, somehow God uses this little dynamo to teach me.
  • As I watch her obsess over things (like her tail), I realize how many times I let something small loom too large in my vision and, as a result, I lose perspective.
  • Listening to the noise she makes for no apparent reason, I get a glimpse of how we can all be loud - when we don't know what else to do - when we should just be quiet and listen to what God has to say.
  • Watching her chase her ball, I learn that if there is something worth focusing on, then go after it with every fiber of what God has given you.
  • When you need to rest, take your ball, get away from those throwing it, find some cool grass, and lie down.
  • Figure out who is in charge (pack leader) and follow Him - always.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lessons of Trust

As promised, here are a few of the lessons learned after the challenges wrought in the experience on Thursday night's Living Last Supper: When we do something intentionally to God's glory, He receives the glory and protects us. Continue to put trust in God alone. As we trust God, if an outside organization desires access to the church, one must perform due diligence to verify who they are and what they intend to do. If there is no time to perform due diligence, then the offer remains unaccepted. The farther away an interviewer/videographer lives, the more due diligence is required. Interviewers or videographers rarely (if ever) pay you to do their work. If sufficient due diligence is performed, review ALL waivers before signing or making them available for signatures. If after due diligence, a group is allowed on site, increase security to ensure the group behaves as promised. And, the oldest lesson of all: people may not do what you expect them to do, but they will do what you
Read more

The Storehouse of Goodness

Image
How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You. Psalm 31:19 When I think about the LORD and His goodness to me and those around me, I am so thankful. And yet, I'm not sure I've thought often about how He stores up goodness for me.  Have you? If we fear Him alone (and that's a BIG IF), then we can be assured of this promise: that He will store up goodness for us! The doctor gives bad news. God has goodness stored up for us. A spouse asks for a divorce. God has goodness stored up for us. Children make decisions that grieve us. God has goodness stored up for us. Fellow students or colleagues at our place of employment treat us with contempt or worse. God has goodness stored up for us. Dreams and goals we thought were important are no longer possible. God has goodness stored up for us. No matter what we encounter along the Way - whether calm or storm, peace o
Read more