lessons from Harley

One thing Cindi and I have come to enjoy is rescuing and raising broken dogs. We have three but our biggest challenge has been Harley. The pic above makes him look regal and magnificent. This may be true but in reality he's a big chicken, really messed up from past abuse and we think he thinks he's a chihuahua and a very submissive one at that. We picked him up early January 2012 and he has been with us for 9 months now. About $2000 in vet fees for a severe cut on his foot, $400 x-rays on his hips and regular cartrafin shots $500 total for issues was a bit of a wake up call. To date he has eaten two couches $1000, 3 pairs of Pete's shoes $250, Cindi's school issued blackberry $400, the TV and the satellite remotes $200, a wall $? and a bit of our Queen size bed $800. To say he is relaxing and becoming a 100lb. PUPPY would be an understatement!! However, he's doing so much better and is less afraid of people.
Some people have said to me - get rid of the dog! Too expensive! Some people just think we're nuts...and at times I agree. But we do love our 3 canines and they bring us great joy and comfort. They will be Cindi's constant companions through her chemotherapy and that is very good.



But back to "el destructor". The lesson that Harley has taught us is that we need to stay the course once we're on it (caring for and restoring a beautiful animal that was severely abused) and hold on to things loosely. If you visit us, you will find a beautiful property on the edge of a river with a not-so-gently used cottage where we live. One couch has a blanket on it (for the aforementioned reasons) The other couch (more severely eaten) sits outside waiting for the trip to the dump. TV and Satellite are accessed by hand - not remote. There are dogs toys everywhere on a regular basis. Strangely though, we are content.



We don't worry about the damage. We simply train him to go easy, to feel loved and to choose a toy over the furniture or electronics. No anger or hitting or loud discipline. Frankly the couches and TV etc. are just not that important and will be replaced in time.
In a culture where stuff is number one and what we own defines who we are, we choose not to live there. Things are replaceable. Harley has most definitely taught us that. There is a pleasure in not worrying (Matt.6) There is a different rhythm to being OK with less and not sweating the small stuff. Harley's sad story is one of dog fighting and being used to bait the fighting dogs. It is one of abuse by handlers and people killing dogs to make money. His final chapter could have happened when he was chained to a tree in the woods and left to die. But someone found him. He was such a terrified giant when he arrived. Once we knew his story it was easier to forgive him this newfound puppy stage and enjoy watching him grow into a magnificent gentle giant. Perhaps this is what it means to have dominion over - translated loosely - to care for and restore. Perhaps this is how God feels about us and the things we do, and He is so quick to forgive and extend grace and forgiveness when it isn't deserved. Why would't we do the same?



Struggle with stuff? Is it important to have or is it important to simply let things go if needs be? My share here is that it certainly feels amazingly freeing to let go and relax around the "things" we have. Thoughts? We're just living on the river, struggling on a journey and trying to understand grace and kingdom living...