Friday, September 12, 2008

This I Believe




I believe that in the eyes of a dog I see God.

If you know dogs, this is not sacrilege. You won't shout, "Blasphemy!" If you don't know dogs, fortunately God is as forgiving. And perhaps, in another life, you will be so blessed.

My old dog looks at me now with eyes that are growing distant. He’s fourteen, and I know my time of learning from him is breathtakingly short.

Throughout his life, those eyes saw fun. They saw joy and mischief with an innocence no human can attain. The eyes of a human possess a knowledge of self, of ego. But not a dog.




I believe this old dog, whose every step is an effort right now, showed me the divine. "How?" say the deprived. How could a dog point to heaven? Well, I answer, does an angel waste a moment on worry? Don't angels revel in the beauty of today? Does God love me for all of my imperfections, all of my slights, in spite of my atrocious inattention?

My old dog was an example. In his prime, my old dog hunted with purpose, without agenda, by instinct. He was without deliberation when he killed. I believe that if God gave me the privilege of being able to think about killing, with that privilege came the responsibility of not. Of finding ways to work things out.

My old dog's eyes showed me godly love and forgiveness. I wonder about humans who chain their dogs in the back yard. Or worse. There is so much worse. In spite of unspeakable cruelty and neglect, a dog will still love her human. Dogs don’t confuse love and trust.


In those eyes I believe I can see a God who loves humans who kill each other for what? Oil? Power? Revenge? Wealth? Humans who leave Him all the time, and use His name to justify, or excuse, their wars. We come home to Him and He still welcomes us. Humans are incapable of such love. Dogs and God.

My old dog has slept in my bedroom all of his life, so why should I worry about all those dogs chained in backyards? Because God sent me my old dog so I would know better? Because He created me: this soul who was born loving the creatures He made first? I look into the eyes of my old dog, and I see that God.


How do I see all of this in my old dog's eyes? I believe that because I look with my heart, and I listen with my soul, it is all there, in my old dog's eyes.
hug your hounds

25 comments:

  1. Oh Patience, what a wonderful wonderful post

    poignant, moving and a post that everyone who has ever looked in the eyes of their aged dog will, without doubt, relate to.

    You truly have a wonderful way with words, a true talent.

    Sue & Ben xxx

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  2. How is it that you are capable of putting things I believe to be truth into such words of power. That explain in words what I think. Oh yes, Patience, you are 110% correct. No coincidence of dog spelling God backwards.
    Dammit, now hand me that Kleenexand give VOD a gentle hug and kiss for me. Were that I had eyes that shown so wise....

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  3. What a wonderful post! You've got mom sniffing away tears!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  4. What a moving post. Very lovely - thank you for thinking it and taking time to write it.

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  5. Yes, that is a beautiful post.


    Rudy

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  6. Wow...we are loved!

    That was the best, Miss Patience...

    We have to go and get the mop for Mumsie...she's leakin' bad....

    Scruffy, Lacie and Babystan

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  7. Have I told you lately how much I love you?

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  8. Speechless Lorenza's mom.
    Thanks for this post!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  9. Perfect as always. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.

    Linda

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  10. that was a beautiful post. our mom says that dogs are the most perfect creatures on earth. of course dog is god spelled backwards. mom also says that dog = love. we are in awe of your ability to put it into words for us. thanks for that.

    woofs.

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  11. Hugs to ALL creatures great and small! Time is so precious ,and seems to go so very much faster as we age. Hard to believe Shania is almost 10 and little P-Doggy will be a veteran (!) in Feb..so little time really. Bless you and your ability to put into words what is in your heart! Martha

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  12. Love it, P! Well done as always!

    Hugs, Ane

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  13. Sniff. As a fellow 14? year-older, my ma ape loves and fears what she sees in my eyes. We're pretty amazing.

    wally t.

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  14. Thanks for the post. We who are dog owners "get it". I am Jenn and the City's Momm.

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  15. Hi Patience, I have something for you at my blog. Please com by for it,ok?
    Hugs,
    Sunny*Scooter

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  16. We sure did miss these great posts from you, this was wonderful. Now Mom is squeezing the heck out of us.

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  17. Patience
    I found my way here from Jenn & the City. What a beautiful, moving tribute to a loved one.
    Please, give the VOD a hug from me.

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  18. Patience,

    I find myself filled with so much emotion and love for my pups that I get stuck even beginning to try to express it in my blog.

    That's where you are an especially special gift to us ... to put the words out there to express what all us dog guardians feel, what we all relate to.

    Thank you for such a lovely post and a gentle hug and kiss for VOD.

    I'm sorry I haven't visited in so long. Such busy-ness set in for a while but I think I'll be able to stop by much more often now (and hopefully update my blog in the process!)

    Take care,
    Jackie

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  19. Well said and it says it all.
    Thank you for your heartfelt comment and my mum thanks you.
    Deetzy Boy and Family

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  20. Beautiful.
    And so very true.
    Thank you, Patience, for the warmth that flows through my soul right now. You have captured what I could only sense.

    Jean

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  21. this is a lovely piece of writing patience. your old dog is lucky to have you as his human, and so are the others.

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  22. When I look in my old dogs eyes I see a mirror looking back at me with the same love a devotion I feel for them, They are part of my being. We go about our day with a beautiful dance we do together, When they go to the brige, I lose my partner. Love You P

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