Doggonit

OK, I have a confession to make. I haven't posted again about our new dog that we were trying to name because I didn't want to be named 2008 Bad Dad of the Year. I was feeling sad and a little ashamed.

Here's the story. We had the awesome little dog for one night and Laura and I woke up the next morning and couldn't breath and had noses running full bore. We both have asthma and allergies, although mine have been under control for quite some time. I knew I was allergic to cats but wasn't aware of what dogs could do to me.

As Cindy started looking the next day, our little dog was a Jack Russell Terrier and she found out that they are one of the worst kinds for allergies because of their continual shedding. (Go figure, intuitively it would have made sense to me for short haired dogs to be better for allergies . . . but no, they actually shed more - and ours was a smooth coat which sheds the very most.)

So Cindy & I felt terrible, but yesterday we had to take our little just named ('Dash' had won) doggy back to Pee Wees Animal Shelter. O' man did that stink. He had slept with Luke and Luke loved it. But all the kids were great sports and understood.

Now the good news is that Pee Wee's had a cute Westie (West Highland White Terrier). Westies are one of the best dogs for allergies and we took her! (She even came named - Abby)

This is her although I was having a hard time taking a good pic as she isn't feeling too good - long day as she not only got a new home but got 'fixed' at the vet today :(

So we are thankful . . . and now I feel confessed up.
And if you need a last minute Christmas present, Pee Wees has a great little Jack Russell Terrier.

Your Vote Please . . .

Today we got an Advent Conspiracy dog for the kids for Christmas! All the kids got one gift together -- this pup (actually 1 1/2 yrs old) from Pee Wee's animal shelter . . .

Now we need your help. We haven't yet decided on a name and decided to take a day to pray and think . . . and get your input .
The two nominees at this point are:

1) Raider
2) Dash

What's your vote? Or do you have some other spectacular name??

The Legend of Big Head

On Sunday the girls and I were kicking the soccer ball in the field behind our house when out of nowhere we were joined by a scraggly puppy. With a very big head.

He was cute for a few minutes while he chased the kids, but then we couldn't kick the ball because he was chasing it down. We finally we gave up and headed home and 'Big Head' as he was now semi-affectionately known, followed us.

We were nearly in the gate when Big Head's big tooth sliced through the soccer ball I just bought on Friday. He was getting less cute. But finally we got in and shooed our friend off.

About 10-minutes later one of the kids came in yelling 'Big Head's in the back yard!' Sure enough. He had finished breaking a picket on the fence and then squeezed in. Happier than a june bug in July.
OK, now Big Head cost me a soccer ball and a trip to Lowe's for a picket. An hour later Big Head was back out in the big world.

But not for too long . . . About 9 o'clock I was walking by the back door and there was Georgia (our dog) and . . . yes, Big Head. He had dug under our stinkin' fence!
So, another 15-minutes of filling in dirt and placing bricks and off to bed.

Do you think he gave up on Monday? Well here's his picture yesterday afternoon . . . what do you think? And as I look outside this afternoon (Tue), for the moment, he's resting in my backyard!


You know, most dogs want OUT of the backyard! Big Head wants in. And I'm pretty sure that he just wants to be loved. He just is looking for somebody that cares.

How many people like Big Head live all around us? [Look at him sticking his head under the fence.] Maybe those folks around us are just as awkward as to how they go about it, or aren't even sure how to express their need. But bottom line, they're looking for hope, for a new start, they're looking for friends who give a rip.

When Jesus was on the planet He attracted the 'Big Heads' - the hurting and lonely.
How about us?
Jesus said that our most attractively quality as His followers would be our friendships. That He put us on the planet to love the unloved, and to be shelter for the broken.

Who around you is wandering in the field? Who do you need to invite into your backyard?

And, oh yeah, do you need a dog?

I'm Different From My Dog

Surprised?

And it's not just that her hair is black and mine is brown. Or that she is a her and I am a him. Or that she lives in the backyard and I've got a room inside. . . .

But you see every time we get a thunderstorm or a big wind, or some other meteorological change, she goes crazy. I've told you in worship about how she goes nuts when it thunders and lightnings. She runs up and down the fence barking and jumping and making a complete fool of herself.

As I was watching her today when a thunderstorm rolled in (and yes, this was her today), I was struck that she always has been and always is in awe of the wonders of God.
Now, I'm not trying to say that she thinks about God a lot (but she COULD . . . after all she does have a lot of free time!) - but just that her sense of amazement never ends. Barking at a thunderstorm never gets old . . . or embarrassing.

This is one way I wish that Georgia and I were NOT different. It seems like I miss most of the wonders of God in this world - just hurry right by them . . . and I'm always pretty careful not to make a fool of myself.

Yet that's not really what I want. I want to always be in awe of God's presence and power. I want to feel free to make a fool of myself when God shows up.

How about you?

Be Careful of Too Much Holiday Fun!

My sister-in-law baked a cake last night for a neighbor and while it was cooling off in the kitchen their dog helped himself to a holiday treat.
Looks like puppy needs some Rolaids!