It’s
Christmas morning at the farm and all the dogs are gathered around the
Christmas tree to reflect on 2014 and to bring in the New Year.
Upon
hearing the news about having pups, “What are we going to do” Annie says. “I love to play with our puppies and let them
chase me and to think there won't be anymore.”
Dutchess and Molly who are half-sisters sat down together. Dutchess looked at Molly and got a little
teary eyed as she licked Molly’s ears and face and said. “I will miss not seeing the little pups, it
reminded me of the times “we” had pups and we were still young,” as she looked
at Molly and hung her head. Clancy ever
so strong also bowed his head and looked remorseful. “I know I never acted like it, but I am proud
of my pups and the things they do. I
tried to be tough to show them what a strong dog is supposed to do, to teach
them their trade.” Meggie, the silent
one spoke up.
“We've all had our hand in
having little ones around here.
Dutchess, you and Molly have shown us both sides of our personality, Molly
you are lover, Dutchess you are active and skillful. You both were the “yin and yang” of the farm. Annie, you are the kid and “play partner” to
everyone and Gabby you are the roust-a-bout, always watching and Doc, you are
everything Clancy is not, you're the lover and jumper-upper and will run 200
feet just to jump in someone’s arms just to get a hug and you always do. Abby and Shepp, you are “our” kids, Abby by
birth and Shepp by love, you are products of all of us in this room.” Everyone understood I think, but there was a
lot of head tilting as if to catch the reason from the air. One dog, not to be mentioned by name said,
“It’s not that I don't want to help with other dogs, I don't want to share, I like it the way it is, just us.” I
looked around the room and said, “Where would we all be now if we didn't share”
pointing to Dutchess, Doc, Gabby, Abby, Shepp and Dahlia, “remember we took you
in when you needed a home.” To get love,
sometimes you need to give love and you're in the best home ever.” Heads bent and eyes watered but I think they
understood we all need a second chance.
I
spoke up again and said, “It’s not the end of the world, we see other dogs all
the time when they come to visit, we play with all of them and even though it’s
not the same as “our” little pups, we’re all from the same cut of cloth. We are all related, some of us are black and
white, some red and some are all kinds of colors,” as I looked at Annie and
Gabby, “besides, we will still see dogs that need our help. Just like you help our pups learn to walk,
play, swim and the valuable lessons of life, you can still teach dogs that were
not born here, and help them just like you did with your pups. Remember Nya and Boone,” I said. “Yeah we do, they were so much fun and we
hated to see them go,” me too I said “but you helped them in more ways than you'll ever know and they weren't our pups, but because of you, they will have better
homes.”
Then
all of the dogs piped up and started telling each other what they will do and
it was fun to listen to them tell their stories and how they would show them about
life, Dutchess even said “I will teach them how to speak to play Frisbee.”
Clancy said “I will teach them how to be
strong when needed but gentle which is also desired.” Doc said “I will teach them how to jump up on
humans,” but I said “that might not be a good idea, even though you do it with
such flair.” Everyone had a lesson to
teach and Annie even offered to teach them how to roll in poop.
They were excited to support other dogs that
needed help and especially the ones that need a second chance… because most of
us do.
You
see, as the Christmas Season is upon us, it’s really about second chances,
something we all need. It is a gift that
we don’t deserve but was given because of love many years ago, it’s only
fitting that we give others a second chance too, whether it’s for people or
pets.
“Some
stories are told with Claymation, puppets, and cheesy musical numbers but don’t
miss their deep and abiding meaning! These stories have lasted for decades, if
not centuries, because their message connects with us on a deeply human level by
inviting simple truths into our souls, truths like “beauty comes from
brokenness,” “joy isn't about what we own, but who we are,” and “even the worst
of us deserve a second chance.”
Christmas
is a gift from God.
It
is a gentle reminder of the plot to this whole story called Life: that we once
were lost and are now found, once broken and now restored. The Gospel of the
Second Chance brought by the helpless baby-king born in a barn is a gift for
all of us”… Mike Foster
Whilst
we are a person or a dog, we need second chances… Ken
Merry
Christmas from the Farm…Ken, Elaine and the dogs…
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