DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE
Door Stop
Everywhere I look these days, it seems there is a picture, story, article or post about a dog. Our world is finally understanding what we dog lovers have always known…dogs make the world a better place.
Dogs have much to teach us about life, about ourselves and even about God. Dogs are quick to forgive, always willing to play and content to just sit with us. And speaking of “sit,” let me introduce you to my pup Gracie, nicknamed “Door Stop.”
When I began teaching Grace as a puppy, she and I would go out the back door and I would urge her to do her business hoping she would make the connection between the action and the appropriate location.
Grace sat, listened to the birds, smelled the flowers and just sat. I jiggled the leash, “Hurry up girl.” Grace sat but now she looked up and together we saw the brilliant blue sky, felt the breeze as it ruffled the leaves. This day, puppy training time turned from a possible annoyance to a sacred time of rest with God. This day my soul felt lighter, and Grace sat.
When we go to nursing homes or schools or parks, Grace sits and waits patiently to see who her first person will be. Occasionally a child comes to her in a wheelchair or with crutches. Instead of getting bothered by the noises of the equipment, she just sits and with help the child gets onto the floor to be closer to the calm little pup. Grace loves with no judgment, so she gives her new friend an opportunity to love back, to express affection and to forget her afflictions.
Then we hear an older gentleman shouting for the pup, but we don’t know where he is, so I let Grace off leash. She bolts down the aisle as fast as her chubby little legs can go, makes an abrupt turn to the right and enters the room. She found her man and wants up on the bed so up she goes, and Grace sat. Life is good!
A few months ago, a very dear friend of mine died from cancer and her children asked me to bring Grace to be with their dad at the outdoor funeral. Bill sat on a chair facing me with Grace on my lap so she could be as close to her boy as possible. Sometimes folks just need time with a dog, to pet her soft fur and enjoy her contagious happiness amid sorrow; and Grace sat.
About two years ago, the three pups were in the backyard as darkness settled in. I came out to check on them and tripped on a stone and fell onto a metal landscaping trim piece. I fell hard enough that I must have blacked out because when I awoke my vision was blurred and my body hurt everywhere.
In the haziness of trying to see, I felt a little tiny tongue licking my face, a being that was standing guard over my body while Joseph and Joy went to find help; and Grace sat.
Grace waits for me outside the bathroom door, lays at my feet when I am reading or writing and sleeps at my pillow every night. When she is outside, she races to the gate to welcome me home. She is the picture of loyalty and devotion and is my tail-wagging picture of what it looks like to wait in anticipation and joy for God; And Grace sat.
Blessings,
Dianne Hammontree: Dog Trainer, Pet-sitter in your home, and artist.
419-606-4433
