TGIF

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10 Responses

  1. Pamela says:

    Oh Michael. This is so wonderful. Meow! Meow! Meow!

  2. Michael says:

    Thank you, Pamela!

  3. Em says:

    Carry us? He does indeed! Thank You, God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Thank You
    Wonderful visual, Michael… Thank you

  4. Cash says:

    Michael, I love your feline spiritual allegories. However, I must admit I’m a big dog person. I currently have three small dogs. One is a 15 y/o (!) Pomeranian. She is clearly on her last legs. Last year, my wife and I inherited a 2 y/o Shi-Tzu mix from my sister-in-law who passed away. And finally, we had had a Pekingnese that was 14 y/o. He also passed away last year. My wife was so heartbroken at his loss and the loss of her sister that she, despite my strong protestations, got a 6-week old Pekingnese puppy. All these pups have issues. The elderly Pomeranian is toothless and tired. The Pekingnese is a baby. That’s his issue. But it’s the Shi-Tzu mix that needs therapy. His name is Sammy. My sister-in-law got him as a puppy. She’d just been diagnosed with cancer, and she also lost her 14 y/o dog. She wanted something to love, she said. But because of the rapid decline of her health, she could not properly house train him. He essentially was trained to go in the house. So, for the past few months, because I’m retired and my wife still works, I have become the master, trainer, alpha of the pack. And it’s been crazy. The two younger dogs are very slowly learning to go outside. I have to go out with them several times a day and they would much rather play than do their business. They’re both wild and rebellious. They’re sweet and very affectionate, but both are very strong-willed and obstinate. Sammy barks. A lot. And loud. I’ve got him to the point now that he will stop barking with a shush. He’s trying so hard, but he just loses it sometimes and goes nuts. Usually when the next-door neighbor comes outside. My poor neighbor. He is very gracious about it, but it makes me insane. And I get very angry and frustrated with them. I’m quite sure I make more noise yelling at them than they do barking. But I find myself pitying Sammy especially, knowing he’s been through a lot, losing his owner and coming to a new house and being paired with two other dogs. I relate to Sammy, having been through several traumas in my own life. I overlook a lot of his faults, and I frequently give him treats and new toys for no reason. It occurred to me that this is a picture of God’s grace to me. Unmerited favor. Kindness when punishment is in order. Mercy when he inevitably fails miserably. I personally believe God gave us these domesticated animals to teach us more about His heart toward us. Sometimes, I can’t stand Sammy’s behavior. But my love for him is steadfast and firm, unconditional. We are made in God’s image. I thank God daily for using these dogs to teach me of His love and grace toward me. And thank you my friend for teaching me to see God’s heart in this way.

  5. Michael says:

    Cash,

    That was wonderful.
    Made my day.
    Thank you.

  6. Paige says:

    Sweet… thank you…. and thank you for being a Cat Guy who makes provisions for the ruffians. God bless you.

    And Cash…God bless you, too.

  7. Em says:

    Housebreaking tip… Someone told me and it worked. Don’t let the dog run loose in the house at all.. Confine it to a carrier or other small space. Take it outside periodically to potty Eventually a week or so, it gets the picture and doesn’t go in the house anymore. How other dogs running loose effects this? Dunno
    3 small little yappers? Don’t think i could survive that
    God keep

  8. Cash says:

    Thanks Paige and Em. May God bless you both.

  9. Owen says:

    Michael, I think this is a contender for the best cat preaching you’ve done yet (or maybe it’s just the most timely for me right now….).
    Funny – Jesus calls us his sheep, and yet you’ve made a good case for us being more like cats sometimes….. 😉

  10. Michael says:

    Thank you, Owen!

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