DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE
Joy Comes in the Morning
I have been privileged to go on two mission trips to the Appalachia country of Kentucky, and amidst the poverty and unemployment, God was there with the people, with their environment, with their animals.
On my first trip to Kentucky, God sent a little homeless dog my way.
On the first morning, I went for a walk at 5:30 in the morning. Through the mist came an animal that looked like a coyote or a wolf. It headed straight for me at a full run. Great! I’ll be fresh meat for this critter and no one from our group even knows that I am out here.
Turned out the wolf was a little dog who rolled over on her back to get a tummy rub. Every morning she came to walk with me—except Thursday. I asked an older man if he knew about her. He did but said she got hit by a pickup truck Wednesday night and was hurt real bad.
After work, I went looking for her and found her in some bushes, still alive but in bad shape. Friday morning, I put her in my truck and brought her home. First we got rid of the ticks, fleas, worms, matted fur and dirt. Then she was bathed, fed, walked, loved on and named Joy and promised to a great couple.
One day, before Joy went to her new home, we were walking up Center Street, when she suddenly jumped upon an embankment, rolled upside down in the morning dew, and quietly observed the sun and birds, the trees and sky—then she smiled!
Most of us forget to notice these free joys in life. This abandoned and abused puppy reminded me of God’s unconditional love and how important it is to live in the present moment.
Maybe all of us should try rolling over in sweet smelling grass or on the white glistening snow. Maybe if we learned the lessons of the puppy we would treat others kindly, we would help those in need and we would enjoy our family and friends and community more.
I love the saying of the Appalachia people: “If hard times never kissed you, you ain’t lived.” Both hard times and good times will come our way. Get stronger in the hard times and enjoy the good times. I appreciate the people God has placed in my life and I thank Him for the puppies He has sent to me, and for the lessons they have taught me.
Blessings,
Dianne Hammontree
