Faith In Fiction | Fur-ever Dog Meets The Cats
Having adopted Buddy unexpectedly today at a dog rescue event, my first challenge is getting the adorable five-month old puppy home. As I approach my car in the parking lot, I feel my arm abruptly tugged to the left as my four-pawed friend tries to catch a man walking past us. As I pick up my keys, knocked to the ground by the tugging, the pup yanks sharply to the right, letting out an ear-piercing screech when he sees a dog in the next parking stall. There I stand, trying for the third time to turn off the car alarm, with Buddy pulling the leash yet again in another direction. Maybe the adoption volunteers were wise when they asked me if I was sure that this energetic pup was ‘the right fit’ for me. Refusing to accept that thought, I finally unlock the car and plop this little yorkie into the front passenger seat, attempting as best I can to secure the seat belt around the 4-pound pooch.
Before I reach the freeway entrance, the dog has loosened himself and is crawling onto my lap. Quickly, I pull to the side of the road and attach the seat belt more tightly around him. To be safe, I decide to drive home by city streets instead of the freeway, although that will be an hour-long drive, instead of a twenty minute freeway ride.
When I pull into my driveway, I see my dear friend, Lizzy, standing at the front door, holding a take-out bag. As she opens the car door, she carries Buddy out of his seat of honor and starts brainstorming ideas about how to introduce him to my two cats. Lizzy was by my side when I adopted Buddy this afternoon and my heart is grateful that she’s giving me advice on how to blend this little guy into my animal family.
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” Prov 27:9
Our agreed upon plan to introduce Buddy to the cats one at a time is replaced by mayhem the minute we walk inside. Seeing a furry, gray ball of fur across the room, this rambunctious little yorkie immediately jolts free of Lizzy’s arms, making a beeline towards my skittish cat, London. Before I can intervene, London swats at Buddy’s nose, eliciting a painful yelp. The frightened gray tomcat leaps a foot in the air before landing and scurrying under the couch. As Lizzy and I rush to catch Buddy, he is well ahead of us, this time chasing my tabby kitten, gentle tempered Milano, who springs over the counter onto the kitchen table, parking herself in the center of a serving bowl while giving me a scornful glare.
I break into laughter at the comedy that I’ve just witnessed. “This is how life with this troublemaking canine begins,” I say to Lizzy, who is still desperately, but unsuccessfully, trying to catch the tail-wagging canine.
With both cats safely out of the pup’s view, Lizzy gives up the chase and decides instead that it’s time for us to eat before she heads home. From the hallway floor where it fell when Buddy started his rampage, she retrieves the take-out container (filled with Hawaiian barbecued chicken) and sets it on the table. As we begin eating, I call Buddy’s name and he races to me as if he already recognizes my voice and understands that he belongs to me. I reflect on that simple action for a moment and ponder how it relates to my own life. God has made me HIs own and I belong to Him who cares for me so much that,
“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
Belonging to me for just a few hours, Buddy responded and obeyed as soon as I called his name. Do I respond as quickly when God calls to me? Do I obey as quickly; am I willing to do whatever He asks, whenever He asks? Or do I sometimes ignore the voice or respond as Moses did with his reluctant, “Here I am Lord; send Aaron.” In a single moment, this small puppy has taught me, or at least reminded me, to be more attentive to the voice of the One whom I serve.
Handing Buddy a small bite of chicken is the catalyst for Milano to climb down onto my lap and beg for a piece too. As the two of them eat just a few inches away from each other, Milano sniffs her new furry brother and then rubs her face against him, apparently accepting him into the family. With that, London crawls out from under the couch and walks warily towards the table meowing to request his share of the evening’s snack. Buddy is too distracted by the food to pay any attention as the two cats and their canine brother share their first meal together.
Lizzy, recognizing the bonds that are being made, stands and gives me a good-bye hug. As she looks down at the animals enjoying the rest of the chicken dinner, her words encourage me, ““I’ll say a prayer that all of them stay this peaceful after they finish their meal. You’ve had a blessed day so remember,
‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!’” (Psalm 150:6)
“Thanks for the reminder,” I call as she goes out the front door. Indeed, I can’t help but praise the Lord for this joyful day and for each of these animals that He has entrusted to my care. And I praise Him for the tremendous care that He has for me.
