Just for fun, sent in by a reader…
Remember, if a dog was your teacher you would learn things like:
* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure delight
* Take naps
* Stretch before rising
* Run, romp, and play daily
* Jump for joy when you’re happy. Dance around and wag your entire body
* Never hold grudges
* Avoid biting when a simple growl will do
* On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass
* On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree
* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk
* Be loyal
* Never pretend to be something you’re not
* If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it
* When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently
We can learn many valuable lessons from God’s creatures on how to live stress-free.
Thank you Evan.
And thank you for your recent blogs during Thanksgiving. They have been most inspiring.
Wonderful… Yes We all learn many things from our pets and other God’s creatures. Dogs are so faithful, so good. When my brother Darayus was small we had a pet dog whose name was Tipu. Tipu loved Darayus and they would go together in the garden to play. The other boys who played on the swing would never give Darayus a chance to sit on the swing. So our pet dog Tipu would notice this and bark his way to make the boy get up from the swing and give brother Darayus a chance to play on the swing. Dogs are very loyal. Sure we can learn loyalty from them.
We have a parrot in my sisters house. His name is TONU and is such a sweetheart. If he feels anybody is unwell he sticks around that person and shows his solidarity, his care and concern. So friendly and sweet…He goes to greet anybody who comes to the door. He never eats without my sister. Only when she comes with her plate, he eats his food. He keeps us entertained by saying sweet things which we teach him. “Hello, God loves you.”. “God is Love”. He knows to sing songs too. Tonu can sing Happy Birthday for you. Oh Yes. Our pets, God’s creatures, are one of God’s lovely blessings to mankind and we learn many good things from them.
Thanks for this fun post also including some deep thoughts!
And it brought an answer to some questioning : I was reflecting about having again a dog, but not sure if this would be a good decision, although I was thinking of it for many months. This little pamphlet was exactly what I needed and brought the positive answer to my questionning!
Very nice , thanks
Really touching and loving!!!!
Perfect!
Thanks, Evan! One of my Favorite Prayers is: “Dear God, please make me the kind of person my dog thinks I am.”!!
I never had a dog. I learned to be afraid of these grand ideas. Then after I was married 14 years our younger son, with tears streaming down his cheeks, told me that “Mother said he could have a dog.” Surprisingly, I melted. We picked a puppy out from a litter brought to the Detroit Humane Society. He was awake and had bright, alert eyes. “Mixed breed.” No, a wonderful new spiritual idea. For over 16 years he companioned with four of us. He lived the teacher roll. Now guess who was his full time student. I was, and still am, as I continue to recall those grand qualities Sandy quietly taught the four of us. He truly is one of God’s grand gifts to mankind. I was healed of the fear, only fostered by mortal mind, of his identification type. True identity is always good, the expression of Love.
Beautifully expressed. God’s ideas are all around us, his messages show up in so many ways if only we will open up to them and carry them to share with another. Thank you Evan for sharing this wonderful example of love.
This was a beautiful reminder and lots of fun to think about.
Always wondered why animals are often easier to love than humans…
Maybe dogs are natural Christian Scientist….
Thank you Evan. My favorite line from this is “When loved ones come home, always run to greet them”. I don’t have any dogs, but I have two cats and they both exhibit this trait of always coming over to greet me when they see me and rub up against my legs. How many divorced couples would still be married if they would have only learned to put self aside like dogs and cats and continued expressing loving greetings to their spouse EVERY time they saw them? Ditto for parents with children and children with parents, as well as friends with friends.
Thanks also to everyone that commented today. As usual I got a lot out of the comments everybody graciously shared!
Simple truths are sometimes the most memorable! I love today’s message. My two rescue puppies have taught me many of those truths. Another truth I’ve observed is they forgive without hesitation!
My handsome ginger cat exhibits many dog-like qualities, he greets me at the door, although with quiet expectency, he loves to lie in the sun and bask in God’s light, he cavorts with his toys, he is friendly with visitors, and best of all, snuggles against my leg for some pets of love. He teaches me to be quiet and expectant of good, and he trusts me to take care of him, just the way God takes care of me and all!
Thanks, Evan, for this thoughtful blog and to everyone who has commented. My little Pierre, was rescued from the center of a busy street just off the freeway many years ago by my daughter on her way to visit me. He became my very loving and faithful companion for many years.
Thank you for this! Sharing it . . .
Thank you for this lovely posting and all the comments. Our rescue cat was so scared when she came to us, and has taught us loads about persistence with unconditional love. She is such a blessing in our home.
Spirit View friends … please spare 2 minutes for a You Tube video “God Made a Dog.”
It is a perfect companion to Evan’s post today.
Loved your comment, Bevi 🙂
What a so sweet picture you sent us today, and thank you Evan for todays lovely blog!
How poor would the world be without animals. At present I have 2 sweet guinea-pigs. But during past years I had birds, fishes and a siamese cat, but not at the same time. It is so nice to have house animals – thank God for having created also the animals to enrich our life! And I mean a l l animals, not only those we have at home.
Gosh ! You like read my mind. I just ran into something I had written about my beloved Barkley. He was a border /Aussie mix and lived to be 16. I wrote down lessons I learned from Barkley. He really taught me so much. He was the best friend I ever had. He was always with me protecting me and bringing me joy. He taught me what true love really is. I feel that he is with me always as I. have photos of him all around my house and I talk to him all the time. We brought out the best in one another. Every once in awhile I’ll awake to a loud bark so I know we will stay in touch.
Thank you! I love “if you want what lies buried, dig until you find it.” So meaningful to me today. Thank you all for sharing.
Thanks all!
My dog Rico sat through Class Instruction with me. He was already a spiritual dog, now even more so! He always knows when someone needs love, and goes to that person and sits on their lap and gives it to them. He is such a dear expression of Love!
Thank you Evan and all those who commented. Enjoyed!
Our little 4-legged friends truly give unconditional love.
I thank our Desr God everyday for the fun privlege of having three BIG crazy Dogs to share our lives with! No matter what else is going on in the world, they remain constantly excited for each new adventure… for each happy interchange… and even for each meal! Ha! Like many here, my life is truly blessed to learn about unconditional Love and Joy through them! Thanks for this post and for each of your comments! Here’s a topic that brings tremendous universal warmth! WOOF!
Thanks, Evan, for those precious words. We love our dog Pua (the Hawaiian word for flower) who has taught so much about unconditional love and joy. (Sometimes I call her “Miss Waggletail.) We think of her as our “dog daughter.” Our son who now lives in Oregon just visited us with his family for Thanksgiving—wife, son, daughter, and two dogs—LIncoln, a Great Dane whom they rescued and Indiana, a pit bull who is a bundle of love. With two kids and three dogs in the house we had a busy, fun time! We were so grateful for all the love expressed. We had a harmonious and love-filled four days together!