If you live in the country, stray dogs wash up in your yard like jetsam on a beach. One day, the coast is clear, and the next, a tan hound is lying on his side in the sun under your clothesline, as if that has always been his favorite place to nap...
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way…” And yet, the LORD God has called us by name; we belong to God. Wherever we wander, may we always look for and find the ones who know to call us by name, even if we are all called by the same name, “Beloved.” In our home, we believe that dogs have the inherent and immutable knowing that, no matter who we are, we are all callable and claimable as beloved. We long for the day when all people will summon their better dog natures. Thank you, Barbara, for finding the voice to name. Peace…
Harry, I instantly thought, too, that we are all strays ending up in Jesus’ yard. I of course, also thought of my beloved dog, who left me way too soon. Thank you for putting words to my thoughts. Barbara is so gifted in her writing and her preaching. Meg
This beautiful piece sweetly reminds me of all the dogs that have blessed my life - as they came in and out of my life. Whether I chose them or they chose me, each was precious and a vital part of my human experience.
Thanks for this, Barbara. It will resonate with so many of us who have opened our hearts to the world’s pups we needed as much as they’ve needed us. I will never cease to be grateful to you and Martha Sterne who, along with so many others, loved my childhood friend Edward until the day he left this earth far too soon. I still miss him every single day.❤️
Now that I can see after the blur of tears that came while reading your essay, all I can say is thank you. Thank you for welcoming these wonderful dogs into your life and for shedding light on our “throw away culture” that sadly includes pets that don’t live up to the expectations we set for them. We’ve had seven dogs in our adult lives, and they’ve all carved special places in our hearts, despite their individual personalities and quirks. 💕
We now have a Mountain Cur, rescued from our local shelter. She's 9 months old...and can smell a bear from a half mile off as well. Our cat has managed to teach her that he's not prey and our old labrador loves her. So do we. Her name is Harper, for Harper Lee.
Thank you for sharing this tender sweet story. In one way or another, I think we all can relate to loving a stray animal. We lost our rescue almost 6 years ago and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. I, too, hold her tags every now and then just to remember.
I live in a small town in Mexico which is overrun by dogs with no home. We have collected so many over our 56 years of marriage that we can no longer list or name them all. What an example they are of how to express gratitude. I loved your piece. Home and love.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way…” And yet, the LORD God has called us by name; we belong to God. Wherever we wander, may we always look for and find the ones who know to call us by name, even if we are all called by the same name, “Beloved.” In our home, we believe that dogs have the inherent and immutable knowing that, no matter who we are, we are all callable and claimable as beloved. We long for the day when all people will summon their better dog natures. Thank you, Barbara, for finding the voice to name. Peace…
Harry, I instantly thought, too, that we are all strays ending up in Jesus’ yard. I of course, also thought of my beloved dog, who left me way too soon. Thank you for putting words to my thoughts. Barbara is so gifted in her writing and her preaching. Meg
That is so beautiful❤️
This beautiful piece sweetly reminds me of all the dogs that have blessed my life - as they came in and out of my life. Whether I chose them or they chose me, each was precious and a vital part of my human experience.
Didn’t have crying on my list this morning, but here I am, tears in my eyes. ❤️
I love this! It reminds me of all the dogs who made my heart bigger over my 81 years. Thank you.
The love and devotion of a dog is a gift. I believe each dog in my life, has made me a better and gentler person.
Thanks for this, Barbara. It will resonate with so many of us who have opened our hearts to the world’s pups we needed as much as they’ve needed us. I will never cease to be grateful to you and Martha Sterne who, along with so many others, loved my childhood friend Edward until the day he left this earth far too soon. I still miss him every single day.❤️
Now that I can see after the blur of tears that came while reading your essay, all I can say is thank you. Thank you for welcoming these wonderful dogs into your life and for shedding light on our “throw away culture” that sadly includes pets that don’t live up to the expectations we set for them. We’ve had seven dogs in our adult lives, and they’ve all carved special places in our hearts, despite their individual personalities and quirks. 💕
Thank you. I cherish the trust and love of dogs who were homeless. Shall we be as generous as human strays? Do we welcome the sojourner ?
We now have a Mountain Cur, rescued from our local shelter. She's 9 months old...and can smell a bear from a half mile off as well. Our cat has managed to teach her that he's not prey and our old labrador loves her. So do we. Her name is Harper, for Harper Lee.
I wish “stray” people were so easy to love.
Thank you for sharing this tender sweet story. In one way or another, I think we all can relate to loving a stray animal. We lost our rescue almost 6 years ago and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. I, too, hold her tags every now and then just to remember.
Love this… for all the strays I’ve loved.
Thank you. This is beautiful.
I live in a small town in Mexico which is overrun by dogs with no home. We have collected so many over our 56 years of marriage that we can no longer list or name them all. What an example they are of how to express gratitude. I loved your piece. Home and love.
A beautiful reminder that we all want “someone to call our names with love.” Thank you.
a lovely ode to all the 4-footed companions that have shown up in our lives, unannounced.