I am a proud dog owner. I have 2 dogs that I love like crazy. And they love me back. God has used them in my life to teach me so many life lessons. Almost every fruit of the spirit has been put in perspective in some way because of these dogs (Galatians 5:22-23). If you are pet owner, you get this.
Coop is a miniature German Spitz. He’s the runt of the litter, so he is kind of his own dog. He’s 2 feet long and less than a foot high. His legs are short. His ears are big. He looks like a snow fox. He’s 14 pounds. He runs like the wind. He is obedient and will wait all day by the gate for me to arrive back home. He watches my every move and is very protective. I bought him as a pup and have enjoyed watching him grow.
Nala is a husky. She literally ran across the road in front of my car during my first semester at college. It was a rainy night when she crossed 6 lanes of traffic. I pulled my car over and opened the door. She jumped right in. She lived with me in the dorm for nearly two weeks ‘til I could take her to my parent’s home in Spartanburg, four hours away. She is laid back. She is faithful and protective.
The problem is, there’s more to the story. The Friday I was leaving to take her home I got busted walking her out of the dorm room. My resident advisor said she knew the man who owned the dog. I bargained with her that if I let her go with me to return the dog, she would not write me up for breaking SEVERAL rules (I had no idea keeping a dog in your dorm room was such a big crime legally). She agreed and when she got to the door of the house the man walked out the front door, grabbed Nala by the neck and beat her. I watched from my car and after I saw him hit her the eighth time I got out and had a few things to say (Proverbs 12:10)
Anyway, I heard the Spirit clearly tell me to go back and rescue her regardless of the law (James 4:17). So, after I dropped my R.A. off at the dorm, I drove right back to the house, walked slowly to the tree by the door, where she was tied up and I let her off the leash and she walked beside me straight into the car and directly into my heart. Since she has been mine she is now flea and heart worm free and has an appetite for food and life. It's been nice to see her smile more in these past few years.
One of the hardest things for me about leaving the country for a year has been trying to decide what to do with my dogs. My boy Jarrett has been super willing to keep them, but his yard is not big enough for both of them. I’ve been asking him to get a new job and find a new house for my dogs but I’m starting to think that’s unrealistic. Those of you that have met my dogs you may think not.
Anyway, So here is how BIG God is.
Through a series of unbelievable connections, I found out that Nala had once been owned by a family that loved her and took care of her. However, she was stolen by the abusive man in July or August of 2009. That is most likely why she was running across the highway that night I found her in November 2009.
When I was at training camp I felt God breaking my heart towards Nala and I could not understand why. I thought to myself, do I love her enough? Spend enough time with her? Am I giving her the right dog food? But as only God can do, He made it clear to me that it was time to take her back to Conway, SC where I found her. This was hard for me to understand because, God made it so clear four years earlier that I was to take Nala. Now He was asking me to give her back?
Through mutual friends, I heard that Nala had once been loved. So, just a couple weeks ago I drove 4 hours to the home of the original owners. I shared with them the journey I have been on since January 4th 2012. I shared with them about how much Nala has meant to me and how God has used her over and over again in my life. I told them that I would be traveling around the world and that the last amends that I was aware of was with their family. God made it clear to me that Nala was only in my life for a time such as this. I know now that she was only in my life to help save it, so that the Spirit of truth can use it.
Only God can take care of every detail like that. Even providing for our pets (Philippians 4:19).
Though it broke my heart to let her go, she immediately went to the son, Whitt, 14 and licked his face. I was able to spend the rest of the day learning all about Auja's (Nala's original name) first four years as a puppy living with the Richardsons as well as get them up-to-date on Nala's past four years. Coop is doing a lot better emotionally. Coop is very portable if I need to move him to different homes if Jarrett has plans. I am holding up just fine and can’t stop thanking God for the four years he DID allow me to have with that Darlin. Jarrett no longer has to look for a new house. And the world has been restored.
Thank you Richardson Family for your understanding and support. I know that you will take great care of my first true love.
Nala, Your eyes will always have my heart and I will never forget you (2 Timothy 1:3).
Followers, I think this feeling of peace (Philippians 4:7) is exactly what my grandfather was alluding to when he said, “Choose the right thing to do and never give up.”
