MARY, OUR MOTHER

CHAPTER LVII: TWO HEARTS OF WIT & WISDOM

Today 'Puddin' died, our remarkable silver-grey poodle, medium size, 15 years old, or translated into human age: 105 years of age--passed away. What a loss it is!
Did you ever think 'Dog' spelled backwards is G O D! Strange.
If anyone ever taught anything, this 'Puddin' taught us all:
How we human beings should love God!
How we human beings should obey God!
How we ungrateful beings should thank God!
How we--the people of God--should act towards God!
Just watch a faithful dog and see, how he wishes to please his master--how he obeys him--how he wants to be with him at all times, yes he'd rather be with him than eat--how sorrowful he is when his master is away. It's really something to behold--how loyal and devoted a dog can be.
A certain padre remarked one day, with a twinkle in his eyes:
"A dog is as smart as his Master."
When this priest died, his faithful 'shadow,' as he called his dog, followed the funeral procession to the cemetery. As everyone finally left, his 'shadow' remained behind and he laid on top of the mound of the grave and refused to leave--either eat or drink. No one could remove him from his master's grave--until he died. - - -
Indeed a dog can put a human being to shame--by his example of love and dedication to his master.
Strange enough, a dog can be a perfect example as to how we should love and honor Almighty God, who created us in His own image, remember the words in the first book of the Old Testament in the very first Chapter (26. Verse) God said:
"Let us make mankind in our image and likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, over all the wild animals and every creature that crawls on the earth. God created man in His image. In the image of God He created him. Male and Female He created them." - - -
Did you ever notice, when you reprimand your dog and punish him, he is the one who will quickly come to you, lick your hand and ask forgiveness.
When your dog dies, yes, there are tears in your eyes, a real true friend has died. Everywhere you look--he is there--and yet he is not--he is gone forever, what a heart-break! All you have left is memories of a priceless treasure--our 'Puddin' is gone!

__ __ __

P.S. Unwittingly 'Puddin' helped me in writing many of these chapters of this book. He made me get up in the morning to let him out from our porch--lanai--to do his thing, under our tree. In so doing I ended up having my early coffee--and sit down quietly, undisturbed from anyone, writing and composing articles of this book. - - -

Yes, we do have an obligation to an animal--your dog--with the joy he gives you. You have to take care of him, feed him, etc.

So too, we have an obligation to God--who in return feeds us, gives us everything we have--our abilities to accomplish many things--. Remember Our Lord said: "Without Me you can do nothing." So, one cannot just receive and not give! "It is in giving that we receive!"

* * *