Birth Announcement: I am proud to announce that Peaches
(our sweet Westie) gave birth to seven healthy puppies this morning. It was
exciting to behold! Mamma and babies are all doing well.
Are there any dog-lovers out
there? Now, if you happen to be a cat person, please don’t take offense. My allergies
simply aren’t conducive to keeping them in our home, though my wife and I have
tried in the past unsuccessfully.
For the past twelve years,
we have been raising Westies (i.e., West Highland Terriers). They are
relatively hypoallergenic.
This journey started when
our daughter Olivia, upon turning five, was given the pick of the litter for
her birthday present from my parents-in-law, which bred Westies. Our daughter
promptly named the little white bundle of joy Penelope. Over the years, we’ve
developed a number of nicknames for her including, among others, Manna (because
she’s the sweet stuff from heaven).
A couple of months ago, we
thought we were about to lose Penelope when she took very ill, in hindsight presumably
from food poisoning. At the time, we just figured it was old age. We witnessed
the tear-jerking scene in our living room with the kids saying their “last
goodbyes,” prayers being offered and everyone getting choked up.
We didn’t think she’d make
it through the night, but, to our surprise and relief, she began to bounce back
the next morning. In fact, she is busy taking an afternoon nap on top of the sofa
as I write this column. Lord willing, we’ll be blessed with her company for a
while longer.
Penelope gave us seven
litters until we eventually got her spayed. She definitely earned her keep. Other
Westies that have graced our home have included Bosley, Lily, Peaches, Peggy
Sue, and Mack. We currently have the last three plus the matriarch Penelope.
Our feisty Peggy Sue gave
birth to four puppies a few days before Christmas of which three survived. This
was her first litter and she has was a wonderful little mama, extremely
attentive to and protective of her babies.
Pets are such wonderful
gifts from God. They provide much enjoyment and entertainment as well as loyalty,
comfort and unconditional love. Of course, they’re also a responsibility, but
one well worth it. We can learn a lot from observing our dogs.
Have you ever noticed how
emotionally in-tune most dogs are with their owners? They sense sadness or
nervousness and instinctively know how to provide comfort and care through
cuddling on the couch, licking your hand, staring up with those “knowing” and
concerned eyes, or quietly whimpering. As humans, we are often too caught up in
our own concerns to notice and respond to the needs of others—emotional or
otherwise. We’re not as alert as we ought to be.
Dogs are fiercely loyal
animals and know where they belong and where home is. This reality has been
reflected in a number of popular movies (like “Homeward Bound” and “The
Incredible Journey”) loosely based on true stories of dogs (and cats) which
have undertaken long and arduous journeys to find their way back to their owners
after being stolen, separated, or lost. Loyalty and love are attributes that
are frequently lacking in many human families these days.
The saying that dogs are “man’s
best friend” holds significant truth. Of course, it’s hyperbole, but we all
understand what it means. Dogs are always happy to see and greet you when you
get home from being away. They will bark while peering through the window or
between the cracks in the fence with their tails wagging behind them in pure
joy. Wouldn’t it be nice to receive that type of warm welcome from our families
and friends each time we saw them?
Dogs have been known to
protect their owners (or pack) from harm, even when it has meant endangering
their own lives in the process. They are sacrificial creatures that are willing
to place the welfare of their loved ones ahead of their own. We can learn much
about friendship by observing our dogs’ selfless and courageous behavior.
Finally, dogs really know
how to relax. They often bask in the sun. They also know how to have fun. These
are important lessons for us to learn too. All work and no play …
