The Walk.

If there is anything that helps us to live in “the present moment” it is our dogs.

Let’s get something straight: I have NO alone time…

I mean, NONE.

It’s not just because “I’m a mom” either, it’s because my five-year-old’s bedroom is adjacent to ours and our upstairs is a split entry one story. Any time you make noise or have the bathroom light on, it wakes him up, and if you’re not careful (I mean, ninja-like), then you will have a five-year-old hanging at your leg asking for breakfast. It could be 5 am. So, watch out! Choose carefully when it is that you decide to get up to use the bathroom because YOU could be the house alarm clock.

This happened (somewhat) this morning. As my entire family is now up. And up for the day, here we all are.

My dog is sick. He spent last night at the foot of our bed. It caused disruption this morning when he started whining in pain and my husband woke up. My husband actually had to carry him outside to go to the bathroom. (At this point I would use a scared and worried emoji face). Because it was so unexpected.

We aren’t sure if he has injured his back legs or if he is indeed…sick, but either way my husband is going to call the vet…in an hour…when they open. (Thank you weekend, warriors, and those working weekend hours! You will have saved our day!) Because we are (somewhat secretly) worried sick.

It is growing time.

We have had, Tyson, our brown boxer for around ten years now.

My husband got him when we first met, and I helped to train him.

To say that this dog didn’t change my life would be an understatement.

When I moved back home to Pennsylvania from Texas after my divorce, I started watching a lot of Cesar Milan and really took advantage of the “pack” mindset and his ideas. It changed my life to get up each day and “work” with this dog. At the time, Tyson was a goofy, prancing wild thing, but we quickly and easily bonded during our morning “pack style” walks. “The walk” Cesar would call it.

And isn’t it so true about life: “The walk.” The mornings. The days, night…The time we spend with nature and God each day—it all matters. The circle of life; it all adds up. That’s why I try to take one day at a time and treat that day with dignity and give it my all; I try to appreciate what matters most in life and “be present” for it and “in it” as much as I possibly can. Because life IS short.

If it was anyone who gave me my confidence back to defeat, “the walk” it was partly due to this wonderful dog. One of God’s MANY creations. I am so thankful and will always be strong in my heart for this one dog, Tyson, though because he is “a special one.” Have you ever heard anyone say that about their dogs?

Do you feel you are “a special one” to anyone on this earth?

You are very special to God. You are His child.

It is important to remember to be courageous as we live our lives happy, joyous and free under the Lord’s protection…but do you ever feel as though YOU are someone’s “something?”

You are to God. You are His something.

Here on earth though? Dogs do this for you. And I believe they are some of the best therapy workers in God’s creation. They fulfill a need or a yearning, a feeling of belonging. The pack.

You are part of God’s pack.

I pray you have a great day today, regardless of its aches and pains. We are all getting older, but let’s remember that with age we also get wiser, and more courageous if we live our lives basking in the Holy Spirit and following the Lord’s direction. And Amen to that!

“Let your eyes look right on and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path at your feet and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27