I've never been an animal person. Never. Now I don't want to see them suffering or hurt on the side of the road. But I'm just not an animal person. I'm just not a dog person. At least I wasn't. Until two years ago. The year Maggie came into our lives.
Maggie is a beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who has broken the cold and callous heart of this self-professed non-animal person. She has turned me into one of those crazy, freaky dog people. You know who I'm talking about. Those people who buy little fleece sweaters so their princesses won't get cold outside. Those people who search the aisles of the local health food store for the best organic, non-filler dog food and treats. Those who have their dog sleep in the bed with them. I have become one of those.
But it's ok. Because I now understand the gift she shares with me. The gift that makes me love holding her for around two to three minutes the moment I walk in the door every. single. day. Maggie runs up to me, jumps in my arms and practically licks my face off. Maggie possesses that love we wish we received every day: unconditional and all encompassing love. The kind of love we crave, yet don't deserve. The kind that fulfills us and is also needed to live richly and fully.
Why don't we love that way? Oh, I love my husband and sons. Always. But do I like them all the time? Heavens no. They make me crazy, sometimes disappoint me, and every now and then, really irritate the hell out of me. (And I know I do the same to them.) But Maggie does - over and over and over. She doesn't remember the times I've messed up, or when I've fussed at her for getting in the recycling, or when I've accidentally left her outside (not for too long, I promise!). She still craves me. She still loves me completely.
So now I get it. I get why others are in love with their pups. These four legged friends are quite possibly the closest embodiment of Christian agape. I feel we could all learn a thing or two from my sweet Maggie.
SO happy to see you are back!! You blog was and always will be a favorite! I am not a dog person, but falling in love with the one we have was pretty easy. Your Maggie is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFrom one crazy, freaky dog lover to another:
ReplyDeleteWhen God had made the earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees.
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and bees.
And when at last He'd finished,
Not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine,
And give each one a name."
And so He traveled far and wide
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed Him
Until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, "Dear Lord,
There's not one left for me."
Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
And called you dog, my friend."
~ Author Unknown ~
Glad to see you post again. Your dog is adorable!
ReplyDelete