Friday, 5/14/21
Good day to you, Amazing Person!
I am part of a group of good people called the GLPers. For the last year or so some of us have been writing prayers that are sent out to everyone on a daily basis. I took a couple of months off and am so grateful to back at it again – didn’t realize I’d miss doing it so much! This month’s theme is “Gratitude For Blessings Received” and this was one of my contributions. This first part is a personal experience, then a prayer that pertains to it is at the end.
Several months ago I started helping out at a humane society. I did that a few years ago and somehow managed to acquire a lovely herd of six animals, most of whom had special needs.
This time I repeatedly told myself NO adopting of animals for at least a couple of months, until I get to know the ones they have and see who really needs a home and would mesh well with my cat, and blah, blah, blah . . .
So, OF COURSE within the first couple of hours of the first day I laid claim to a dog I hadn’t even sat down to pet yet.
He looked perfect to me – I’ve always loved pit bulls and he definitely has a good dose of that breed in him. He’s missing fur due to allergies, under weight, older with some grey, and jowls and head so big he looks like he could tip forward at any moment. His name is Cooper, which is the name of one of my all time favorite rockers, ‘Uncle’ Alice Cooper.
What’s not to love about all that?
I couldn’t bring him home right away and that left too much time to ruminate (and by that I mean, obsess), thinking, “OMG! What did I do? Did I even ask God if it was a good idea? I don’t know if he’d get along with my cat, don’t have any fencing around my yard and there’s no sidewalks to walk him and I live on a busy road and he’s higher energy and very intelligent and can I keep up with him and keep him exercised mentally as well as physically and blah, blah, blah . . .”
Then, I brought him home. I’ve had my beautiful cat, Grace, for about 15 years now, and she’s already friendlier with Cooper than she’s ever been with me, and he doesn’t feed her! I drive to beautiful areas to walk him every day, usually twice, to keep him from getting bored and I’m getting some much needed exercise in the process. He passed his dog obedience class with flying colors and will be taking his ‘Canine Good Citizen’ test soon to become a registered therapy dog. And I’m blessed with 70+ pounds of unconditional love.
I take Cooper with me pretty much everywhere I go and have found that pit bull lovers are a very special breed, too. Doesn’t matter what you look like, how old you are, how many tattoos or piercings you may or may not have, social status, religious or political affiliation, what you wear or drive or job you have. You’ll automatically be accepted into the ‘The Club’ just because you’re capable of seeing past what ‘others’ say about these amazing beasts and are willing to give witness to their massive hearts, no matter what ‘others’ may think.
Dear God, Thank You so very much for the incredible blessings You so generously give, especially when we don’t plan them, they’re not at all what we expected, &/or not wrapped in perfect trappings. How many times have I rejected Your blessings in ignorance or fear of not knowing exactly what You had? Please forgive me, thank You for teaching me to do better. And may I be as overt, fearless, and nonjudgmental a witness to You and Your love as pit bull lovers are to their breed. AMEN!
Looking forward to meeting you back here on Tuesday. I hope you’ll see and receive all your blessings!
