I WANT A PLASTIC WINDOW CLING FISH

We recently acquired a puppy, and we already have another dog.  I like animals, but if I had my choice, a plastic window cling fish would be my preference. I enjoy pets more when they are at other people's houses.

 Its not that animals aren’t great to have, but I would rather not clean up after them, train them, etc.  Yet, my children, and my husband love dogs.  LOVE THEM!!   I have avoided the dog thing for about three years, and somehow, this dog, the exact kind my husband has wanted, (was not actively looking for) but I was unwilling to let him fork out the cash for, was offered to us for FREE.  The timing is perfect, because our other dog is really old and really hurting.  She does not have much time left, and it is good for the whole transition thing; training the new dog, and tending to the hearts of our kids, preparing them for Copper leaving us. 

Copper is the oldest, and she is not so happy with the 8month old bubbly hair ball. The puppy is named Dover.  Copper is tired, has injuries that cause her continued pain, and anxiety issues among a whole bunch of other things.  Her idea of dealing with the puppy is complete distance and avoidance at all costs.  Copper is not a dog that will fight back…ever.  If one of us was in danger, she would fight, but not for herself.

Dover, the puppy is just that…a puppy.  Yesterday she was laying out in the front between the deck and a tree and decided to see if she could take a bite out of the tree.  It was pretty funny actually. 

Both dogs are very compliant, desire to please, and gentle.  They are dogs.  Not humans.  Relationships for dogs are based on pecking order.  Whoever is the Alpha female, rules.  If one doesn’t step up to the plate, another one will.  The puppy decided that she was going to, so now I am Copper’s defender, and Alpha female.  It is crazy how, she will listen to me.   I am so glad that healthy human relationships are not designed to work that way.  I do not like being in charge. But I have had to so that my eldest dog will come in the house at night, and go outside during the day.

I forgot how much attention puppies need.  I have been spoiled with my old dog that just wants to have treats and snore the day away.  I was painting the other day and Dover came over to see what I was doing and now has lips the color I was painting. NICE. 

The whole puppy thing got me to think about relationships within the body of Christ.  Also, it made me question other relationships, and attitudes as well.  For instance, is there any person in my life that I am satisfied to have our relationship be only a refrigerator magnet/window cling?  Is there anyone that I avoid for any reason at all?  Why would that be?  If I have not dealt with my side of that…avoidance, what is it that is keeping me from doing so?  Is there any one person that I allow distance to change my heart for them?  For example, I don’t see them, so I do not have to deal with how I feel about them.  Any of these questions can be transferred to family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, and any other relationship that we can have.

Love does not avoid, it doesn’t build walls, and it doesn’t make excuses.  Love doesn’t seek its own way.  Love doesn’t look for its own comfort before others. Love honors, it moves towards, it protects, it hopes, it believes the best; it waits…its always available.  So am I?  And if I am not, why?