So in a week of waning strength and vastly increased pain, God had an answer.
YOU NEED ANOTHER DOG.
On Sunday, on the way to church (it seems that God lacks subtlety), Barb ran across a tiny terrier, running panicked down a fast road, far from any houses. She'd clearly been dumped.
We did have her checked for a microchip... none... and there are no lost-dog signs posted. So she's home. In the photo below, she's sleeping by my pillow.
She began her ascendancy to Home Rule with Belle the Service Dog, who is mostly timber wolf. Here they are in the sorely-used mudroom...
Belle has recruited Hazel (she has hazel eyes) as an assistant...at night Hazel sleeps on my chest (YOU try moving her), and if I have trouble breathing she gets Belle to help me turn over for a clearer airway.
The interesting thing is that a few weeks ago I had a dream or vision, that Barb would find the tiniest of terriers.
Good work, God. Thanks!
I have come to dominate,
as regal as that sounds,
so just please accept your fate
from a dog that weighs four pounds.
T'was the Wolf I conquered first,
and then Roscoe the Pit,
but I saved my very worst
for the Labrador I bit.
He felt that he could stick his nose
anywhere he thought to smell,
and what, dear heart, do you suppose
to him I chose to tell?
"Go thee now, you oaf, and hide,
and next time sniff your OWN backside!"
The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is STRETCH. Not hard.
She stretches out her tiny frame,
and sounds a quiet yawn.
Hazel (her eyes!) is her name,
and our whole pack is gone
in fine sappy soppy delight
for this canine bit of fluff
that wanders through the house at night
knowing that she's tough
enough to cope with Ridgeback-Pits
who quail when she walks by,
four pounds that could tear to bits
in the twinkling of an eye
the meanest junkyard dog of all,
then hang his head upon the wall.
Five minutes flat, and that's Hazel.
Music, of course, from Sister Hazel, with All For You.
Sylvia loves hazelnut ice cream.
So glad Hazel has come into your world, Andrew! She sounds a great addition to the family
ReplyDeleteLiz, thank you...her family did come by after a week. They'd been out of town, and whoever was watching her didn't let them know she was gone.
DeleteSo she's home now, missed here, and the week we had with her was a treasure.
Awwe,so cute, such a precious find!
ReplyDeleteFiona, yes... and a happy ending, her family turned up!
DeleteThis could be our toy Yorkie, Buddy, also a rescue, and great on Home Rule. We have high winds in the UK today. Buddy's eyes command me to make it stop! God has other plans and the branches continue to crash down!
ReplyDeleteTish, the plans of God so often don't align with ours...or those of Yorkies.
DeleteHazel's original family did turn up, after a week, and she's gone home.
She sounds like she found the perfect home! And God stretched your family and made it grow :)
ReplyDeleteJoanne, thank you... Hazel's original family did turn up (they were out of town) and so she's home now. Her presence here was wonderful.
DeleteYour new pack is formed, even the tinest, afraid and scared still have to take up for themselves. The latest story that I'm writing is about a girl, who takes her place among a pack of big dogs, and proves her stuff. She grows up to become a ship's navigator at a time when women weren't allowed. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, what a fascinating premise! With your skill at writing, the story will be a must-read.
DeleteHazel's original family did come by, having been out of town, and she's home safe.
Hazel is a beautiful fur baby! And seems like quite the comforter.
ReplyDeleteLisa, she is beautiful and a tremendous comfort... but she has gone back to her original family. They'd been out of town and she hadn't been counted missing.
DeleteAndrew i am thrilled for Hazel and you! And as far as your dream/vision? God speaks, does He not??? And confirms what He says!! You know what is said about small packages. Good things! Every good and perfect gift. May God's blessings continue. My prayers surely do.
ReplyDeleteMary, God does speak...and this was to be our saving Hazel's life so her family could find her. A privilege!
DeleteAnd thanks so much for your prayers. The household is a bit quiet and sad, that she's gone.
Welcome Hazel - you are one fortunate pup!!:)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, even more fortunate than that, for Hazel's original family turned up! They had missed her so!
DeleteI loved reading about the new addition to your family!
ReplyDeleteLesley, thank you... Hazel's original family turned up, desperately glad she was okay.
DeleteAnd we now know that there's a place here for a little dog, so watch this space...
As you go through your daily life
ReplyDeleteso often wracked with pain,
it seems that God keeps giving you
the ability to sustain
the hardships you are facing
through a Love that will remain.
For now you have this little dog
and both of you have gained.
Sending love! Karen :)
Karen, this is just lovely. Thank you!
DeleteHazel's original family, somewhat desperate, did show up, do she's home now, but she taught us a lot.
Welcome to Hazel - your beautiful new addition and well done to Belle for accepting her so quickly! God is good at sending us just what we need when we need it.
ReplyDeleteJust popped by from FMF #20
Heather, thank you... Hazel's gone back to her original family now (they hadn't microchipped her, nor put out signs or Internet notices), but Belle did a stellar job in bonding her to the pack while she was here.
Deletethat was hilarious! Enjoy your hazel full well! :) visiting from FMF24
ReplyDeleteAnnette, we did enjoy her. She's gone home now, rather unexpectedly after a week, but she's shown us that there's a place here for a little dog.
DeleteOr two.
I cannot believe God has placed another dog in your path! How interesting! I pray you have a wonderful day with both your pups!
ReplyDeleteJenn, FMF
Jennifer, we had a lovely time with Hazel... but her desperate original family turned up (they had been out of town, and didn't know she was missing), and she's gone home.
DeleteA happy ending, and now we know that there's a place for a little one here.
Congratulations on bringing Hazel into the fold. Hope that terrorizing bit of fluff continues to make your days better.
ReplyDeleteDuane, she's gone back to her original family (they'd not known she'd gone missing), but she taught us that we really need a bit of fluff here.
DeleteOkay.
Andrew, Hazel sounds like she's quite a character. :) I LOVE how God brought her to your place of canine refuge and how she's been so totally accepted as part of the tribe. I loved both of your poems, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou and Barb (and your dog-children) continue to be in my prayers.
Jeanne, she is a character...and though she's now gone back to her original family, her influence remains.
DeleteThank you so much for your prayers!
Stephanie, Hazel has been doubly blessed...we kept her safe for a week until her searching family found us.
ReplyDeleteI think we know who's going to be ruling the roost from now on!
ReplyDeletewoof woof