I wish I had a dog growing up. When I was a child I only had cats. But cats are so different than dogs in the way they react to feeling. My dog senses my feelings sometimes before I even do. He reflects that feeling somehow. Either he comes and sits near me, or he wags his tail in excitement. He even expresses his concern.
When the feeling is intense...sadness or anger, he becomes distant.....perhaps it is too much for even him. But he is never far away. And if the sadness is less intense, he will let me stroke him and hug him and cry. He has his own needs....he often comes over and insists on me petting him. He gets jealous if I give attention to our other dog. Sometimes hes bored and sometimes I think hes a little sad too.
But he loves unconditionally. He loves my children unconditionally. He loves me unconditionally. And though he doesn't understand words he certainly understands love and devotion, and feelings.
He was what I needed as a kid. I could've told him my secrets. He could have witnessed all that happened in my life and held steadfast, still loving. Abiding in my pain. My cats just didn't do that. They weren't very devoted....rather self-centered and aloof most of the time. They witnessed but they ran. They wanted no part of that nonsense. And feelings, well they didn't want much to do with that either.
And so while at times I have understood cats and their need to be independent. I really cherish the devotion, forgiveness, steadfastness of my dogs who love me just as I am. I long to be like them, full of love and life and devotion. As God-like as them. Full of grace and love and forgiveness, unafraid of true feelings.
I thank God for sending dogs, especially Pretzel into my life, that I may know that unconditional love and expectation of all I can become. And I have always wondered at the significance that Dog backward is God. It works for me.
When the feeling is intense...sadness or anger, he becomes distant.....perhaps it is too much for even him. But he is never far away. And if the sadness is less intense, he will let me stroke him and hug him and cry. He has his own needs....he often comes over and insists on me petting him. He gets jealous if I give attention to our other dog. Sometimes hes bored and sometimes I think hes a little sad too.
But he loves unconditionally. He loves my children unconditionally. He loves me unconditionally. And though he doesn't understand words he certainly understands love and devotion, and feelings.
He was what I needed as a kid. I could've told him my secrets. He could have witnessed all that happened in my life and held steadfast, still loving. Abiding in my pain. My cats just didn't do that. They weren't very devoted....rather self-centered and aloof most of the time. They witnessed but they ran. They wanted no part of that nonsense. And feelings, well they didn't want much to do with that either.
And so while at times I have understood cats and their need to be independent. I really cherish the devotion, forgiveness, steadfastness of my dogs who love me just as I am. I long to be like them, full of love and life and devotion. As God-like as them. Full of grace and love and forgiveness, unafraid of true feelings.
I thank God for sending dogs, especially Pretzel into my life, that I may know that unconditional love and expectation of all I can become. And I have always wondered at the significance that Dog backward is God. It works for me.
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