Some Dogs Do Go To Heaven

“Animals who receive and give love will be with us in heaven.”

This is a statement I choose to believe today. It’s actually a quote from a great Christian lady that I trust very much. I think she really knows.

When we decided to obey the Lord to move to Texas 14 years ago, we told our kids – who were then 6 and 4 that we could get a puppy because our new house would have a fenced back yard. That’s all they needed to hear to put their faith to work for that new pet. Christmas of 1998 we gave the kids a “How to Care for Your Golden Retriever Puppy” book. Good pastor friends of ours in Alabama told us they wanted to give us one of their puppies as a gift … an AKC registered Golden Retriever puppy.

In January of 1999, “Allie” came home -- Named after her home state of Alabama. She was 8 weeks old and a cute, fuzzy, little ball of energy! Our kids’ faith had produced this new family member and oh my gosh …. She was a handful! Smart …. Too smart many days. Fast … She would find ink pens and run around the house … the more we chased her, the better she ran and the better the game! I had visions of her biting down on them... ink everywhere. (Fortunately, that never happened) She developed quite a personality.

This dog took over … as a Golden, she always had to lead, be in the way, and help you get to where you should go! She wore bandanas around her neck and loved them! She loved to carry around empty water bottles, chew q-tips from the trash (yeah, yuck!) and could squeak a toy better than any dog I have ever heard. She stayed near, at our feet, at our side and just needed a few good touches. Faithful. Happy. Funny. Sweet. Family – every day. She had a way of “Counting” us to be sure we were all home. She knew when someone was missing… watched the doors for them to come in. I do think she knew how to love.

This week, Allie transitioned from this life. Over a two week period, an aggressive cancer changed our home and our daily lives. We miss her. She made us smile every day. She paid attention to us every day. She looked us straight in the eyes when we talked to her and would cock her head back and forth as if to say “I understand everything you are telling me.” (Did I mention she made us smile every day?)

I am wise enough to know that in the big picture of our lives, with all the events that happen, this may seem like a small thing. It may seem even insignificant to some. To me, enjoying every gift from God, every moment that life and joy presents itself, every person, animal, flower, kind word, gesture, wagging tail …. Take time to enjoy them. Cherish them. Take notice. Be grateful.

Allie grew up with our kids … transitioned them from elementary school children to adults.. Ten years … It has been a wonderful, wonderful season! I told my husband … some changes require tears to walk through them. This is one of those.

Allie had a favorite corner of the yard where she would trample my flower beds chasing the cats, squirrels, birds, possum walking on her fence. In her honor, I have planted some day lilies there. One is almost her color.

God gave us all things … richly to enjoy.

Just 10 questions . . .

Ten Questions for Couples

Came across this quiz in a file. It’s something to think about…. And for some of us, something to do something about… take a minute:

This quiz is from a January 2005 Family Circle Magazine. Use these statements as a gauge. See what you need to work on. (There’s always something to work on, I think)

Indicate whether each statement is usually true or false for you and your spouse, then count how many are true.

· When my husband phones, I make time to talk to him.
· When something important happens in my life, my spouse is the first person I want to tell.
· We are physically affectionate with each other on a daily basis.
· When I walk into the house, I greet my spouse before doing anything else.
· We spend more time interacting than we do watching TV.
· If my husband wants my attention, I stop what I am doing and give it to him.
· We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in special ways.
· We go out alone together once a week.
· We vacation alone together once a year.
· We have photographs of each other in our wallets and at work.

If 4 statements or fewer are usually true for you and your spouse, you both need to pay more attention to your marriage. If 5 to 7 are true, you’re about average, but don’t settle for an average marriage – it’s the most important thing in your life!

This is a quick blog …. I have a few things on the list I need to go do!

Tell them the truth ... even if it hurts.

We have two amazing kids… our daughter is 20 and our son is 17 (and a half!) They are smart, funny, quick witted and in some ways, wise beyond their years. To the best of my recollection, we always told them the truth. We answered questions honestly. Even the hard ones, like, “Did you ever do drugs? Why? “ “Dad, do you ever think about driving down this road and hitting this hill and hoping to get airborne?” (Dad, said, “Well, yeah!”) (Mom NEVER had that thought once).

We have answered questions about our marriage. “What’s the hardest it’s ever been?” “How do you make it work when you are both so different?” Our children will enter into relationships knowing that there is nothing they can’t ask us … and they know that in all things, we are on their team. Advice, direction, insight is ALWAYS about helping them stay on the right path. It’s ALWAYS about looking ahead to their 25th wedding anniversary with the perfect complement to who they are. That’s what we do. That’s just the kind of parents we are.

It doesn’t get much better than hearing your son say, “I trust your decisions, because so far, you haven’t given any bad advice.” (And when we do – yes, it happens --- we are quick to apologize). Being human and real with your teenagers is the best you can do. Every time.

Now a funny story . . .

Grandmas don’t know everything …

Little Tony was 7 years old and was staying with his grandmother for a few days. He’d been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, “Grandma, what’s that called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?” She was a little taken aback, but she decided to tell him the truth. “It’s called sex, darling.”

Little Tony said, “Oh, OK” and went back outside to play with the other kids.
A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, “Grandma, it isn’t called sex. It’s called Bunk Beds. And Jimmy’s mom wants to talk to you.”