The wife wanted something to take care of, I volunteered, but she chose a dog. So three weeks ago our family's newest member arrived,  Annie, a two year old pure bred Coton de Tulear, which is French for cotton ball. She is about 8 pounds, with white gray markings, she is one of those little over active things that reacts to everything. She was purchased for several thousand dollars by a Cardiologist in Newport Beach. They had her flown, first class I'm sure, from Texas to her gated ocean view palace over looking the Pacific. My idea of a dog is an old hound who sits at my feet and looks up twice a day. We had to apply to rescue Annie because the Cardiologist needed one less dog, all that grooming, plastic surgery, dog massage etc. was putting pressure on his budget.

So the wife and I go to Pet Smart to apply for the privilege of joining the Annie Lottery. Several families applied, some with children, when Annie was paraded into the room, some of the women actually gasped with delight. We filled out forms, then there were the interviews, several Dog Whisperers looking deep into our eyes, trying to spot character flaws. Then there was the play date, you get a few minutes with the little Princess to see if she will receive you into her precious presence. Two Psychiatrists came with Annie's picture in hand, this internet photo had been on their home bulletin board for days. They so wanted her, it was sad, especially on day two when one by one families were rejected, some went away in tears. Finally it got down to the wife and the two Psychiatrists, you guessed it, the wife won. It was so sad to see those Psychiatrists walk away in shock, at least they knew what to say to each other. Why did the wife win one asks? For one thing, I lingered in the distance, trying not to spoil the deal, I am given to snide remarks especially when it comes to little over active expensive dogs. They called her references, yes they asked for them and they actually called them. I know businesses and pulpit committees who don't even use the references in selecting important employees. This is when it all went wrong, the neighbors raved about her, they said she was a saint, that she even walked the neighbor's dogs for them, she was the most giving and loving person they had ever known. Some even said that she was picture of what a Christian should be like. Our house is a populated with family and friends who just want to be around her. But I would like to point out that I made this observation around forty years ago.

Annie has been with us a few weeks, she barks at cars, other dogs, kids walking to school, she freaks out every time I enter the room in different clothes. I think Annie wakes up to a new world every day. She has a lot of bad habits, this can happen when you live the pampered life, but now that she is living in the "hood" , she is getting more street smart.  The wife is very patient with her and is training her in a new way of life. A few days ago she ate some snail bait, off to the Vet, pumped stomach, 202.00, over night observation in ER of local Animal  hospital, 750.00. Oh did I mention, original dog fee, 250.00.  I really didn't want the dog, you might of picked that up, but now the little thing likes me, always wanting to lick my face, snuggle up, go with me in the car and boy is she happy to see me come and sad to see me go.

So what does this mean?  It is simple, the wife lives for others, she finds her joy in loving others and caring for them. She seems to get this idea that because Jesus gave himself for her, that frees her to do the same. And when that little puffy thing comes around and wants my attention, it just reminds me that you can't love without taking responsibility for others.