Helping the
Weak
In
all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must
help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” –
Acts 20:35
In
the course of our nearly 30-year marriage, Greg and I have enjoyed
the companionship of four dogs. While each of them has shown great
devotion to me – making a fuss when I get home, staying by my side
when I’m sick, and so on – Greg clearly claims a slightly larger
space in their doggy hearts.
They
favor Greg despite the fact that, in every case, I’m the one who
was responsible for them coming to live with us. I found Jerry, our
abused lab/shepherd mix, in a newspaper ad. I nudged Greg to adopt
Jessie, a hound/shepherd who was being fostered by a friend. I found
Byron, our older Lab, at the Dearborn Animal Shelter through
Petfinder.com and insisted that Greg go to the shelter to meet him.
And
we adopted our younger Lab, Bernie, after I hauled Greg and Byron to
the Dearborn Animal Shelter to meet a beagle. She hated Byron on the
spot, and so did a second female dog that I asked to see. Greg and
Byron were ready to leave, but I asked if they had anyone else, and
they brought out Bernie (then Air Force), a big black Lab with an
ugly open wound on his backside. After sniffing each other out,
Bernie plopped down beside Byron, and they were fast friends.
Over
the years, I have purchased most of the dog food, treats and toys.
Yet when Greg and I come home together, they circle around Greg,
tails wagging, barely acknowledging me.
Is
it because they consider Greg the master of the house? Maybe, but if
I think about it, Greg is the one who gets up early to walk them, and
then feed them.
Where
I’m inclined to send them to the backyard in rain or snow, Greg
invariably walks them at least around the block. The dogs love
exploring the neighborhood and checking out every bush and fire
hydrant.
Greg
honors their need for daily exercise and faithfully walks them day
after day, week after week, year after year.
Kathy
Gardner
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