It’s Victoria Day over here in Canada, and today it’s special for our family because our dog – Candy – is 7 years old. That’s middle age in doggie years.
She’s not our first Keeshond, and I’ve got to say she is stubborn – but fluffy and cute. She suffers from severe allergies, so we are careful what we feed her. For part of the year she has to take allergy medication. She has a fear of other dogs, but love humans. She loves to jump on the sofa even though I’ve told her time and time again – NO! When she hears the word “rice” she goes crazy! It’s her favourite food, so we give her some when we make it. She sits in front of the rice cooker and waits. She even knows it’s rice when we spell it out!
We have always had pets in our family. Over the 30 plus years Daniel and I have been together, we’ve had three dogs, along with pets we’ve fostered. Mathieu use to sleep on Maggie, our Golden Retriever . There was the time Celine the Black Labrador we fostered chewed up all of Meimei’s Barbie dolls. There’s never a dull moment, but loads of wonderful memories. There was also the time Shadow, our first Keeshond went blind and got lost. We panicked and looked for her in my mother-in-laws neighbour, only to find she was able to find her way back. She also climbed up the 3 flights of stairs to her balcony. Surprise can’t even describe how we felt when we opened the patio door and saw her sitting there.
I remember the grieving process when our first two dogs passed away (Daniel cried, while I was much more pragmatic about it). We had sworn we wouldn’t get another pet. Well 7 years ago while our kids were still young we adopted another – Candy.
Just some thoughts on pets as I think about my dog. So a bit of a ramble on my part:) There is a natural affinity within us to love animals big and small. We love them, care for them, and they are a part of our family. They can heal lonely hearts, and also fulfill within us a need to nurture. I adopted Maggie (our Golden Retriever) after seeing her at an animal shelter. She had just had a litter and her previous owners puts her up for adoption. She looked so lonely and sad. I couldn’t help but bring her home. Daniel was away for work at the time. So imagine his surprise upon returning home.
Do animals have a soul? I’ve often wondered about this and looked to the Bible to see what God has to say about it:
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Ecclesiastes 3:21
The full verse of Ecclesiastes 3 basically sums up this bond between humans and animals. It’s hard for me to take out one specific verse, as the whole has depth and is meaningful.
I’ve highlighted the following:
18. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
God loves his creation. God also provides for His creatures. The Psalmist writes about this: He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. Psalm 147:9
We also see that The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. Psalms 104:21
If God loves us and all his creation, how can we also not love animals big and small: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Luke 12:6
Have a Blessed Day and Happy Victoria Day to those in Canada.
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Be Inspired! 