The New Puppy

A year had passed since our sweet old dog Simon had died, and our grief slowly edged aside to make room in our hearts for a new puppy.  Our family decided that we would look for a new canine companion as soon as school was out for the summer.  This would allow us enough full-time togetherness to provide a smooth transition for the puppy. Our plan was to begin making weekly summer visits to the S.P.C.A. until we found just the right puppy to rescue.

In March, I began to talk to the Lord about the puppy I wanted. I told Him that I really liked border collies, but also liked dogs with shaggy faces.  I wanted an intelligent and devoted dog that would be obedient and eager to please. Our dog would have to be gentle and trustworthy. A dog weighing about 40 pounds at maturity would be great.  I reminded the Lord that since we’d be looking for a puppy in mid-June, He could “customize” it at its conception!

The last day of school finally arrived.  Our daughter Kristin packed a suitcase and left for basketball camp. Her brothers Mike and Matt convinced me that we could begin the puppy search even though Kristin would be gone for a few days. So, off we went to the S.P.C.A. just to see if there might be any possibilities.

 As we approached the first cage, seven little puppies scrambled to greet us.  They were ten-week-old mixed border collie puppies. Six of the puppies jumped around, barking, and scratching the front of the cage to get our attention.  The seventh puppy quietly sat looking at us.  Her tiny tail rhythmically patted the floor of the cage as she tried to lick our fingers through the wire mesh. The boys and I made a pretense of looking at the puppies in all of the cages as we discussed the qualities and merits of each, but each of us already knew which puppy would go home with us.

As the six-pound puppy was lifted from her cage, we could see that she had typical border collie markings.  She was coal black with four white legs.  Little black freckles dotted her feet. The white blaze between her eyes extended down and around her muzzle and throat before widening onto her chest and flowing over her belly.  She snuggled into our arms as we took turns holding her while the paper work for her adoption was completed. For no particular reason, the boys named her Sneakers as we drove home. My husband Russ met the little puppy as she pranced to our front door to greet him.  Sneakers introduced herself to Kristin with a photo and note delivered by the mailman.  Thus, Sneakers became the official family canine.

Does the Lord care about small events in our lives such as the acquisition of new pets? Remember my prayers about the puppy I wanted?  Let’s look at the final results.  Sneakers was a border collie in personality, intelligence, and appearance. When she reached maturity, she weighed forty pounds and developed a shaggy face.  She was gentle, obedient, and lived to please me. This wonderful, sweet dog spent part of her life visiting area churches to help teach children about Jesus.  Yes, the Lord does care about the details in our lives.  We just have to ask! 

Psalm 37, 3-5: Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the lord, trust also in him, and He shall bring it to pass.