"Where are you supposed to be?"
I have had my little brothers dog, Fonzi with me for the last couple weeks. I picked her up on my last roadtrip to help my brother out while he gets settled back in Hartford with a new job, new apt, his gf and baby. Fonzi was costing too much to keep where he was and he needed to find someone to take her for a few weeks or give her back to the shelter where he got her. If she went back to the shelter, she would have been put down and knowing how special of a dog she is, I had to do what I could to save her. So here she is and we have been getting along for the most part.
Her original owner trained her very very well and she is a kind, obedient and very smart pooch. My brother Mark also does very well in caring for and continuing to train her, so I have been doing my best to identify and sustain the training she has had and build on it. My schedule with work is hectic and some days when I get home I don't necessarily like having to take her out for a walk and exercise, but it is always fun to play with her.
I have been trying to get her to walk beside and behind me on the sidewalks and not keep running ahead. We had long walk the night before last and I specifically was working with her to stay close and walk with me, and it was as much constant work as anything fun. But in the end she is doing much better and I find some satisfaction in her minding without the restraint of a leash stretched to the max.
I say all this to say, that yesterday I noticed that when I say "Where are you supposed to be?" She immediately sits, heels, chills whatever it is I have told her to do or where she knows already to be - by my side, i.e. So this morning I walked her down to my Bucks for my coffee and was thinking on the way home, how much I am just like her while walking with the Spirit in my own life.
So often, I want to run ahead and not be patient, just walking in peace with the one who is with me. I get so easily distracted by the scent of another's success or the sign of a new relationship, and run off the sidewalk or out in the street without stopping first. There are so many analgies down this trail of thought and I can not possibly share them all, but this morning Fonzi actually stopped and sat down at the curb, waiting for me to give the all clear to cross, without me having to say, "SIT... SIT... WHERE ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO BE?" I was so happy to see her behaving as I have been training her to and quickly gave her the 'good girl' praise speech and rub down after we crossed the intersection. She loves getting the love...
... and there is nothing better than getting His love when I find myself doing what he wants me to do, without him having to tell me for the hundreth time!
Have a great memorial day and I hope you get sunshine wherever you happen to be!
Thanks to all the Vets! Its Rolling Thunder time so c'mon... LET'S ROLL!!!