Humbled by the Simplicity of Bentley

This is 11-year-old Bentley, the precious Havanese of my Austin family. He looks so contented and bright-eyed. He’s contented, but not so bright-eyed. He lost his sight, so he makes his way around the house to his familiar places of comfort, finds his food and the people he loves. He knows me. Along with his people-brothers, he knows I’m a sucker for giving him a piece of meat from my plate. He’s contented with just being. He saunters around the house, occasionally bumping into a wall, but finds himself around just fine. He has developed a mental layout of his domain and he navigates it well. He’s not in pain. I do pray for his sight to be restored, but he’s not complaining at all.

Bentley hears well. He knows it when someone enters a room. He smells well. He knows when I sit down at the table to eat my eggs and toast, makes his way to me, tilts his head back and those black eyes, though without sight, stare up at me and licks his chops. I can’t resist him. I leave half my egg on my plate for him. I know he loves eggs, because he’s the one that found the eggs I had just gathered from the hens, sat them down while I watered the garden and found nothing left in the container. Bentley and I both have good memories. I’m so thankful.

Though most of us could barely imagine what losing one of our senses would feel like, I understand that if one is missing, it can heighten the ability of the other four. For example, the amazing tenor, Andrea Bocelli, has sold over 90 million albums. Bocelli said his parents made him determined to never give up: “This is what my parents showed during my mother’s pregnancy when the doctors advised her to have an abortion because the baby would be born with severe illnesses. She ignored their advice and carried on with my father’s support. Without their courage and faith I would not be here today to tell the story.” He was born with congenital glaucoma and he eventually went completely blind at age 12. Bocelli says he’ll always be grateful for his parents’ intervention.

For most of us, we can barely even imagine what something like blindness would feel like. We have grown accustomed to our world’s sights, sounds, tastes, smells and touches. But, if one of those senses are missing, particularly that of sight and sound, if lost, the brain “reroutes” the normal sensory pathways and the unaffected senses take up the responsibilities of the affected sense, so to speak.

I’ve seen it in Bentley. For example, touch is more important to him – he cuddles into us; his ears hear better, his food is tastier than ever. I’m thinking that I should close my eyes so that I appreciate what I’m eating more. Maybe my sense of taste and smell may light up in ways I’ve never experienced. I can’t imagine all that blind people must have to conquer – getting dressed, cooking, finding their way through obstacles in their homes. Bentley has given me a new appreciation for the gift of sight. It’s made me realize how much we can take for granted in a single day. My early morning walks without seeing the beauty of a sunrise or the trees, distant hills and checking out the colors of people’s eyes. Bentley has humbled me by the simplicity of watching this little 4-legged creature find his way around.

Do we, all 'seeing' people, fully grasp how blessed we are? Maybe we should close our eyes more and experience what those who have no sight experience. Bentley shed new light for me on his competency and abilities, but even more for me to realize the competency and abilities of blind people. I’ve heard it said 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.' And just maybe the beholder without eyes sees way more than those of us who do. It is amazing what the seeing and the unseeing can learn from one another.

It’s a Dog-Eat-Dog World Out There

That phrase is used to describe a situation in which people will do anything to be successful, even if what they do harms other people. We don't have to look far to see that phrase a reality. No matter the business or profession, it's clear that phrase is true.
But, how much more beneficial it is to be in a “Dog-Love-Dog” World – both in the canine species and the human species.

Who would have thought that some of my best “pals” these days are dogs. It comes with my territory and my family. There’s my grand-dogs: Buddy, the 75-pound Australian Shepherd and Emma, the 4-pound Yorkie, who, I happen to be their caregiver right now while their family is out of town. I get a kick out of throwing the ball to Buddy (with a ball-thrower or else slimy-ball would be the case) and he retrieves it often in one catch in the air. As soon as I walk in the door, he runs to the backdoor for our “play ball” time. Little Emma, who often seems the alpha-dog of the pair, incessantly yaps at me wanting her time with me. There’s Bentley, a 25-pound Havanese who belongs to my Austin family. I also have another grand-dog, rock-solid and gentle, 79-pound bulldog, Athena, belonging to Braden and Ruth. I smile as I write this post because I’m not what you would consider a dog-lover. I profess to be a dog-liker because they ALL belong to those people-lovers in my life.

I think God must have a special love and delight for those who care for his creation. Jesus seemed to be enamored by animals as He often referred to them as a source of praise to God and revelation of the nature of faith, humility and peace. When we see Jesus’ interactions with creatures, we can better understand how we are called to relate to other creatures.

We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I never thought that the roles could be reversed and that my grand-dogs could teach ME some life-lessons in turning this world into a dog-love-dog world:

Lesson 1: Restrictions are Good. Once all these grand-dogs were kennel trained – it was a great option when the families were away or night-time sleeping. Believe me – we knew the damage done when my “young” daughter’s dog, Desi, was left behind, free in the house. She had separation anxiety and tore our door-blinds to shreds. Now, all my grand-dogs are more “mature” and it's "open to roam" home policy. But, like the restrictions placed on our furry friends, we, too, need restrictions that hold us to safe and peaceful living. Thank God for the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ new commandments “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind….and your neighbor as yourself.” Those aren’t restrictions – they are freedom to love and be loved. What “dog” doesn’t want that?

Lesson 2 -- Bond with Others – When I lived a few months with my Frisco family, I would take Buddy for a morning walk. We would encounter dogs in fenced yards, barking like crazy and defending their territory. Buddy was leash trained, so he would look at them like “What is your problem?” I think, if he could talk, he’d tell those dogs “Let’s make love – not war!” As busy adults, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle, forgetting to make time for loved ones. Interaction with others can be a much-needed source of joy. We don't have to go it alone. Reaching out to a friend, or making a new friend, can truly make a difference in that other person’s life. And, spending time with others can be the first step on the path to making a difference in our lives.

Lesson 3: Run to Greet Those You Love; Hang Out with Those You Love -- There is something wonderful about coming home to those dogs so excited to see us. As soon as Buddy and Emma hear my car-door slam, they are at the front door barking and welcoming me home. Even sitting down, they just have to nudge in as close as they can to us. So why don’t we do this for each other? Appreciating the people we love and care about isn’t just something we feel, it’s also something we do. And what better way to show someone you care than by greeting them with a big hug or a kiss when they arrive home? And, what better way to show our love to someone, by getting as close as we can to them when we’re watching TV or just sitting down to relax. As adults, it’s easy to take our relationships for granted. But dogs know that every time you see someone you love can be just as exciting as the first. Remembering this can only strengthen our relationships.

Lesson 4: Live in the Moment -- Dogs don’t have some big master plan. They aren’t worried about the past, and aren’t terrified of the future. They live right here in the present moment. What a truly a joyous and positive way of living our life! Stop to smell the roses. Breathe in the fresh air. Put our phone down and fully experience where we are. Maybe we should stick our heads out the car window with the wind blowing in our faces to remind us to live in the present.

Thanks to our great Creator for creating some of our best friends and teachers and if we'd live in gratitude and love like them, then, for sure it would be a dog-love-dog world!

Beware! Attack-Dog! Attack-People!

No sooner than opening the security gate to feed Vamanos, the longhorn, our mild-mannered, docile Havanese, Bentley, saw a woman walking her Doberman out on the roadway. He literally bounded out the gate to take out that dog. You would have thought that Bentley was a ferocious beast. The other dog was being held back by his owner, while Bentley, who appeared to be the alpha dog, was going in for the kill. He heard me hollering at him and, thank God, he halted his attack. The woman apologized for her dog who, she said “knows better than to react like that” and I did my best to apologize for our alpha, attack-dog! Oh me. The fact is, “Sweet Bentley has a rarely used, big bark and is the friendliest, gentlest dog around. I was thinking Bentley would lose his life to that Doberman, while Bentley was in “Attack Dog! Run-for-your-life-mode!”

I think I've seen some folks like that recently. I'm not name-calling but there’s a lesson here about “by their fruits you will know them". All this nasty name-calling, text and tweet bombing, he-said / she-said attacks. Oh my! I’m ashamed of our political leaders who are certainly not setting a good example for our children, and for that matter, for all of us. Why don’t we have civility instead of being in a disrespectful attack mode?

If we would take the wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs, apply it and make it part of our value and belief system, we could spare hurting others and ourselves with our words. About women, Proverbs 31:25, 26 says: "Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." More wisdom from Proverbs 21:23 says "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble."

We've all been there with some fast-acting, split-second, hateful words that came out. We knew it was too late to take them back. The damage was done. We wished our brain had engaged before our mouths did. I remember a sweet, but powerful little Sunday School song "Be careful little mouth what you say...." How often do we let unnecessary words slip out and we think "What made me say that?"

Psalm 141:3 says "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" I really do purposely pray for God to put a gate on my mouth. I pray "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord." Psalm 19:13.

Perhaps God wants to spare us, and others, from potential hurt and pain before unkind or unnecessary words slip out. Perhaps He wants to provide "damage control" angels at our Mouth Gates. Perhaps, He would like us to pray for our public leaders and politicians to better portray themselves as wisdom-filled, kind, tolerant examples for us all. Perhaps it's time we sing that little Sunday School song (and mean it) as a prayer "Be careful little mouth what you say."