Two ‘Pawsome’ Lessons From Dogs

These days, it seems like everyone has a pet dog. Pet store dog food sales are booming. And, of course, the quality of dog food has moved from the outhouse to the penthouse (or should I say pethouse). Dog food is expensive because “my dog deserves the best.” Who lets the dogs out? The legions of people walking their dogs did. Tip: if your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise.  

So, I thought I would write an article about dog lovers, dogs, and two lessons dogs can teach humans. Believe it or not, Fido can provide some healthy spiritual insight for us humans. 

Someone once said, “The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.” Ann Landers wrote, “Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” Ben Williams reports, “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” Andy Rooney says, “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” 

Robert Benchley says, “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” Rita Rudner quips, “I wonder whether other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.” Franklin P. Jones notes, “Anyone who doesn’t know what soap tastes like has never washed a dog.” Will Rogers quips, “I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons.”

But wait, there’s more! Joe Weinstein says, “My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That’s almost $21.00 in dog money.” Ann Taylor observes, “Ever consider what dogs think of us? We come from the grocery store with the most amazing haul: chicken, pork, and half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth.” 

“If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving him only two,” quips Phil Pastoret. “Women and cats will do as they please; men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea,” observes Robert Heinlein. 

Now, let me make two observations about humans and their relationship to God, drawing on dogs. There are two Greek words for "worship" in the New Testament of the Bible. One word is proskuneo. This word means “to honor your master in humble adoration.” It literally means to “kiss toward” or “kiss the hand.” It’s like the way a dog approaches its master after doing something wrong. It approaches its master very humbly and respectfully because it is unsure whether its behavior has separated it from its master. 

Now, I’m not calling us dogs, but get the concept. God’s love for you goes beyond your behavior. In other words, God may not love your behavior, but God does love you. You don’t have to cower in humiliation or hide; acknowledge the offense and come toward God, and God will come to you. God will pat you on the head with a pat of forgiveness and offer the biscuit of a restored relationship. 

How does the dog act when he knows the relationship is right again? He’s happy and ready for a ‘tail-wagging’ good time! Josh Billings says, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” I’m not trying to deify dogs, but in many ways, wouldn’t our community and lives be better if we adopted a little dog philosophy toward God and others? My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am.

Here’s the second observation. It’s from a story circulating online that caught my attention. It’s about a dog’s purpose and a 4-year-old boy. Here’s the story, told by a veterinarian.

“As a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a 10-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners and their little boy, Shane, were very attached to Belker and were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found that he was dying of cancer. I told the family that we could not do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. 

"As we made the arrangements, the parents thought it might be helpful for Shane to observe the procedure. They believed Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt that familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family gathered around him and I prepared for the procedure. Shane seemed so calm, petting the dog for the last time, that I wondered whether he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

"The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without confusion or difficulty. We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, reflecting on the sad fact that dogs' lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up and said, ‘I know why!’ Startled, we all turned to him. 

"The 4-year-old said, ‘People are born so they can learn to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long!’ 

That’s good reasoning for a 4-year-old. Now all we have to do is apply it to our lives. Doggone it, that will be a little harder!