The Demands of DOG

Forgive me if I sound disrespectful, but I felt a need to complain about DOG. Of course, I feel guilty about it, but it is a fact that sometimes, even the most beloved dog can be a pain in the patootie. I must continually remind myself that she has no thumbs. That is to say that she cannot unlock or open doors, work a can opener, or tell me the specifics of what she needs or wants. Even though she has many talents and abilities that I have not, she depends on me for just about everything.

This morning, Perkins tried to force her way onto my lap as I tried to read my email. She jarred my coffee mug and nearly scalded me. I angrily pushed her off. Her sweet eyes penetrated my gaze as she utilized all of the body language she could muster to get my attention away from my computer.

“What do you want?!” I demanded. But her appeal never faded as she drilled those hopeful eyes into mine.

I relented and recited the words from the movie, The Help, when Aibileen was tearfully saying goodbye to her little charge, Mae Mobley, for the last time; “You is kind, you is important, you is smart.”

Speaking to Perkins, I added, “You is talented, and you is loved. And you deserve a kinder mommy than I am.”

If you are not a pet owner you might think this is ridiculous. But, my next cognizant leap was to the poem entitled So God Made a Dog that I found posted on Facebook, credited to Waverly Kennels and to Paul Harvey, but the author might have been someone else…

And on the 9th Day, God looked down on his wide-eyed children and said they need a companion. So, God made a Dog.

God said, “I need somebody to wake up and give kisses, pee on a tree, sleep all day, wake up again, give more kisses, and then stay up till midnight basking in the glow of the television set.” So, God made a Dog.

God said, “I need somebody willing to sit, then stay, then roll over then with no ego or complaint dress in hats they do not need and costumes they do not understand. I need somebody who can break wind without a first thought or second thought. Who can chase tails, sniff crotches, fetch sticks and lift spirits with a lick. Somebody no matter what you didn’t do, or couldn’t take, or didn’t win, or couldn’t make will love you without judgment just the same.” So, God made a Dog.

God said, “I need somebody strong enough to pull sleds and find bombs, yet gentle enough to love babies and lead the blind. Somebody who will spend all day on a couch with the resting head and supportive eyes to lift the spirits of a broken heart.” So, God made a Dog.

It had to be somebody who would remain patient and loyal even through loneliness. Somebody to care, cuddle, snuggle and nuzzle, and cheer and charm and snore and slobber and eat the trash and chase the squirrels. Somebody who would bring a family together with the selflessness of an open heart. Somebody who would bark, and then pant, and then reply with the rapid wag of tail when their best friend says let’s go for a ride in the car. So, God made a Dog.

God said, “I need somebody who would stand at your side when the world around you collapses. Somebody to lie next to you during the long nights of pain and sorrow when it hurts to move, or talk, or think, or be. Somebody to stand guard, play games, snore for hours, and repeat as needed. Somebody to give you strength when you have none of your own. Somebody to fight when you have no fight left, to hold onto your soul as if it were their favorite toy, playing tug of war to keep you in this world. Somebody to be your companion and guide in this world and the next. Somebody to wait for you on the other side or stand guard in your absence until they can join you for eternity.” So, God made a Dog.

Then, I remembered that DOG is GOD spelled backwards, and that when I am angry or perturbed at my dog’s demands, guess what, I get that way with God’s demands, as well. His demands are even greater than the dog’s, and if you are patient, His rewards are also greater. But, I’m just an imperfect, impatient person. Perhaps my beloved dog is here to remind me that I need to be and do better.