Kelly's Korner Komment

DOGS

At the start let me go ahead and clarify some things. First of all, dogs are not simply less evolved humans. Humans are made in the image of God, and are no relation to dogs, except that God made both. Secondly, and related to that, humans are of more intrinsic value than dogs, though some humans don't act like it. No one was more appalled at the accusations against pro-football player Michael Vick that he promoted dog fights than I was. However, I sadly note that some who want to put him under the jail, or I've even heard some who wanted him executed for it, are some of the same ones who cheer on the murder of innocent unborn children, and oppose the death penalty for murderers of humans. But, enough of that - let us move on.

I was sitting in my chair and I sort of moaned when I moved and it hurt my leg. Suddenly there was a little black nose with two button black eyes behind it right up in my face. I promise you that there was a look of concern as if he was asking, "Are you alright?" Sometimes it amazes me to watch these animals as they show their own individual "personality."

In our extended family: our house, our son's house, and our daughter and son-in-law's house, we have four dogs. Each one is interesting in its on way.

IN OUR HOUSE. We have two dogs at home.

One is actually my youngest son's dog, Foxy. She is a mixture of Chihuahua and some kind of terrier and weighs around six pounds, making her the smallest of all the dogs. Yet, without question, she is the top dog in the pecking order. Foxy is one of the smartest dogs I have ever seen. She has a very large understanding vocabulary. We can tell her which room in the house to go to and she goes. We can tell her whose car to get into and she will go to it. When we get ready to leave the house, she watches to see if all of us are getting ready to go. If one person is not getting ready she settles down in the room where that person is. If all of us are getting ready she goes to her "house," a fabric house made for small dogs, in the kitchen, where she will stay while we are gone. When we come home at night she gets excited and runs around. But, on Wednesday nights she always goes back to her house, because she seems to somehow know that we are going to leave again. We have never figured out how she knows. She absolutely adores Chris, our son, and she sleeps with him every night. He is about to leave for college, and we are a little worried about how she is going to react when he is not home very often anymore.

Our second dog at home is Mikey. Technically he is Barbara's Mischievous Michaiah, and the only registered dog that we have. He is a registered Maltese. He weighs in at about 8 pounds. Mikey is not anywhere near as smart as Foxy, though he actually has his moments. He is one of the gentlest animals I have ever seen. He is not very fond of being around non-family members, but he is very loving. As you walk down the hall you will feel his little nose touch your leg as he follows you. He loves to curl up next to you, or at your feet. One of his favorite positions in on my shoulder looking backwards. Maltese are like poodles in that they shed very little, but have to be brushed and groomed. He absolutely hates to be brushed. He just lowers his ears and stands there looking miserable every time my wife brushes him. Mikey is simply a gentle sweet companion.

OUR DAUGHTER'S HOUSE
Carol Leah and Tommy have a Jack Russell Terrier named Belle. Belle weighs around 11 or 12 pounds. Belle loves to eat, but she is not overweight. If you know anything about Jack Russells you can guess why she is not overweight. When I got her she was the runt of the litter, and her personality reflects that. Belle is feisty and curious. I love to watch her after she has been given a bath. She makes a mad dash around the house, stopping and rolling every once in a while. It is like she is saying get this clean off of me! Belle loves to be dressed up. You can put a little outfit on her, or a collar that jingles, and she absolutely will show it off to anyone that will look. She gets her feelings hurt when you take it off. She has been a great pet for the family, and now our little grandson Thomas (9 months old) is just crazy about her.

OUR SON'S HOUSE
Our oldest son lives in Meridian, MS. He has Zoey. She is a mix of border collie and lab, and maybe some other things. She has a beautiful black coat. She weighs in at about 32 pounds. She thinks, however, that she should be a lap dog. I think that she believes she is the same size as the other three dogs. Clif claims that she is not very bright. She is, however, a very sweet dog. Oh, she can get into things, and has at times thought that she was a beaver, judging by the furniture she has gnawed on at his house. Clif says that his house is so very lonely if for some reason she is not there when he is at home. Again, she obviously adores him, and the feeling is mutual.

If your aren't a dog lover you may not be able to understand what I am writing. If you are then you probably understand the things that I cannot express about dogs. I cannot imagine ever intentionally harming one. They are like a member of the family. Not too long ago we lost another dog. She got away and was run over. Our whole family mourned the loss of that dog. If you have never loved a dog you probably don't understand. If you have, you know how we felt.

I believe that God has given those of us who love dogs our dogs to help our hearts grow even larger. I believe that a loving dog can make us even enjoy life more. They can be too loud. They can be messy. They can get on our nerves. But can't most humans, too?

I believe that good dogs are the most loyal and trusting animals, and that their whole existence is designed to please you. I'm glad we have dogs, and I will miss them when they are gone.

That's just my thoughts on dogs - that's my Komment!