HUNTING DOWN LOST DOGS

What joy to reach out to our neighbors, for a variety of reasons.  One of them being that neighbors are close by and can often be a wonderful source of help in an emergency. 

In this particular area where we lived in Southern California the homes were situated on a relatively short street.   In that climate people are often outside more than any other area of the country.   We were in the process of learning the names of our neighbors and their children and pets.   We felt very comfortable in this new neighborhood and loved living there.

I pray for our neighbors on Thursdays.  You may wonder if prayer makes a difference.   Yes it does, for many reasons.  But in this little story, God was orchestrating a new adventure on behalf of our neighbors, two doors down.  He wanted to let them know that when you belong to the Lord, He knows and cares and upon our invitation, becomes involved in our daily lives.

Being visible on a regular basis in your front yard offers many open opportunities for a friendship.   A woman who lived a couple of houses away from us appeared at our front door one evening.   After a brief hello, she asked me if I could do her a favor.  I couldn’t imagine where this would take me, but I agreed with the stipulation of “if I could help, I would.”

She began sharing her plight of need.   It was around Christmas time, and she and her husband had purchased a tiny puppy for their two children.   At this point of the conversation, I couldn’t imagine how I could be involved, but it didn’t take long to be included in the dilemma that was before her.

She had made arrangements to pick up the puppy the following evening, and needed a “housing arrangement” with someone who would care for this little furry critter.   You might imagine, if you know me, that I love animals.   And wee puppies are right up my alley of affection.   I thought about the challenge as she was describing his size.   This “hotel arrangement” would be only for a few hours.

I didn’t see this as a problem and after all, I could enjoy this little bundle of enthusiasm for a few hours before he was to be introduced to his new family.   Yes, I could accommodate this new little puppy, but only for a few hours.

The following evening I was ready for his rambunctious arrival in our kitchen.   He remained in my boarding house for about two hours.   This was just enough time for him to get accustomed to my scent and my tone of voice.    The woman picked up this bundle of energy with fur and took him to his new home.   All was well.

This little energizer bunny seemed to enjoy his new family and often they would walk him past my home each morning and evening.   Every time they went past our home and I was visible, his entire body would shake with enthusiasm.  He must have remembered that my kitchen was his first place of settlement upon his arrival in the neighborhood.

One day as I was out front in my garden, this little dog like lightening scurried past me down the street all by himself.   Because of my love for animals, I took notice that he was travelling on his own and this didn’t seem good.  He was so tiny and alone, I was afraid this might not have a good ending.  

I offered up a quick “Help me Lord, to catch this dog.”  I called out his name and he remarkably came running back towards me.  At this I drew a big breath of thanksgiving and proceeded down the street to his own home.   The family had no idea of his disappearance.

This adventure happened over and over in our neighborhood.  This wee furry ball discovered happiness in disappearing and wouldn’t respond to his owners.  But if they were able to locate me, I could call out and he would respond and return to sound of my voice.   I soon became the “fetch that dog lady.”

One day they asked me why the dog would come to me and not to them.   The man of the house said that it seemed like whenever I went looking for the dog and called out his name, their little dog would respond and pounce happily in my direction.   I paused, and shared with him that I had prayed and asked the Lord for His help.   It took several more times of my intervening retrieval before they began to realize that God really cared as I had told them.

A few years later we were moving to another part of the country.  This couple arrived at my front door with a little gift.   I thought it was appropriate to open it immediately as they were standing there and seemingly so excited to see my reaction.

Secretly I thought to myself that this package was too small for a furry surprise, so with curious anticipation I hurriedly opened the gift to see what was in the package.   It was a Willow Tree “Angel of Prayer” figurine. 

They wanted me to have this as a reminder that they remembered that prayer makes a difference, and that God does want to be involved in the tiny details of our lives.    He does indeed, delight in every detail of our lives. 

I think of this family whenever I view the little figurine on my bookcase.   It’s a reminder to me too, that God knows and cares about our every need.