Life Lessons From My Dog

I am definitely a dog person. In fact, when I was in third grade (with my huge glasses and high water pants) I read Dog Fancy Magazine. Yup it was my favorite past time (besides collecting Beanie Babies and reading Babysitter Little Sister Books). Ha I was a huge nerd, but I didn't care. My parents surprised me with a Rat Terrier puppy in Elementary School and it was the THRILL of my life! I loved that little dog so very much and she was with us until last summer. It hit me way harder than I ever imagined it would when we lost her. I never realized how much a part of my life she was until she was gone. Now over a year later I have Daisy.

She has quickly captured my heart and I can't imagine going through life without a dog to love and who loves me. I've been thinking lately about character traits that are common to dogs (is this normal?) and I've come up with a few that I deeply admire and want to incorporate more into my own life.

1. Unconditional Love
Dogs love you no matter what you look like, smell like, or act like. If you forget to feed them, they still love you. If you treat them unkindly, they still want you to pet them and give them attention. A dog's love seems to be limitless and without condition.

"God is love, and whoever 

abides in love abides in God, 

and God abides in him." 

-1 John 4:16

2. Forgiveness
Dogs don't hold a grudge. They aren't bitter. They are very quick to forgive. They won't hold anything against you.

"..as the Lord has forgiven you, 

so you also must forgive."

-Colossians 3:13

3. Joyful Spirit

Dogs always seem to be so happy and ready to play. They make the most of every day and are always so full of joy! 

"A joyful heart is good medicine, 

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

-Proverbs 17:22

I pray that I would learn how to love unconditionally, be quick to forgive, and have a joyful spirit!

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