Leah Rade

My Scaredy Dog

I love my dogs!  Bob is scared of everything.  Mike shot this video of Bob this morning when Bob was too scared to climb the snowy steps.

A Proverbs 3:5-6 Week

This week has been one of those weeks when life happens so fast and we're reminded that we are not ever in control, and if we think we are, well...misguided is the word that comes to mind. On Tuesday Mike took our little dog Bob to the vet to have his left eye checked on, as he had developed an infection, which is very common for pugs.  Bob has all of the pug weaknesses, including extremely protruding eyes and an extremely short muzzle, making breathing hard under stress.

Unfortunately, Bob got so stressed during the exam that his throat collapsed and he stopped breathing, causing cardiac arrest. Mike knew something was gravely wrong when all four doctors came running to the surgical exam room.  I can't tell you how thankful that we are that the doctors were able to resuscitate Bob, who then underwent surgery yesterday. 

Both Mike and I began feeling very overwhelmed as we both had a lot to accomplish at work this week. You can only imagine how busy we all are at NHC recruiting team leaders and members as we prepare for Oct. 4th & 5th, when we launch our third service. There is so much going on in our lives right now at work, as well as at home as we continue to care for my mom, whose health continues to deteriorate. On Wednesday night, as we replayed the day and felt the stress of having a sick dog and big responsibilities; it was with great relief that we gave it all over to God, yet again; and discovered awesome peace, yet again.

Why is it so easy to think that we are in control of...anything?  I need to be reminded daily that I need to "Trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding.  In all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my paths."  I need to be reminded so often that I have placed Proverbs 3:5-6 on my cell phone, on all three of my computer screen savers, and especially in my checkbook.  When I meditate on this verse and surrender all, there is peace unlike anything I've ever experienced. 

Praise God that little Bob is recovering and greeted me tonight with his familiar, wonderful little squeal.  After all, he is a pig  pug.

I Miss My iPod

We have this cat, Cyrus, who is mostly human and always seeks to be the center of attention.  How many other humans do you know who are like Cy?  Anyway, for about two weeks after Michael came home from college, Cyrus, who was not happy that Michael had moved back into his room, decided to reveal his unhappiness in a big way...by peeing on stuff.  On the first day of Michael's internship, after settling in at the church, we both smelled something awful and upon further investigation, discovered the smell was coming from my canvas laptop bag.  Just before we left that morning, I laid my laptop bag flat on a chair so I could take a phone call...just enough time for Cyrus to thoroughly pee all over it.

Needless to say (and excuse the pun), but I was p#@%d!  I very abruptly took everything, or what I believed was everything, out of the stinky bag and threw the bag in the dumpster.  On Friday afternoon, when I typically begin listening to a few sermon podcasts from the previous Sunday, I could not find my iPod.  When I reached into my new bag, which is almost identical to the old bag, I experienced one of those "kicked-in-the-gut" moments when I realized that I had thrown my iPod away with the old bag...and the trash pick up was Friday morning.

Fortunately for the cat, he got over his jealousy right about the time that he peed on my bag.  I just read Dave's and Jamie's blog posts and was reminded just how much I miss my iPod.

Cats

I'm not a natural fan of cats.  However, since one came with my marriage, I've learned to live with them and even like them.  The main turn-off for me about cats is that generally cats don't seem to like living in community with each other...very unnatural concept for me.  Dogs on the other hand need each other and thrive in community.  Yep, I'm definitely a dog person.  I like my cats, but I need my dogs.

Yes, it is strange that anyone should dislike cats.  But cats themselves are the worst offenders in this respect.  They very seldom seem to like one another.  C. S. Lewis

How I Know God Exists?

He created pets!  Yesterday, after an intense day, I got the most incredible & predictable greeting from my pets...all five of them.  Poor Bob was so excited that as he ran to greet me, he stumbled, falling flat on his face.  Martha, not to be outdone by Bob, scrambled so quickly that all four legs went out from under her.  Tara, who is older and typically brings up the rear, relished her victory at being first to get my attention.  What an awesome greeting...every single day!

After the dogs calmed down, both cats appeared.  Cyrus, the big male and quite the character, was especially affectionate.  He really has the personality of a dog, trapped in a cat's body.  Chloe, on the other hand, while sweet, is a typical cat.  Her heart belongs to Michael, our son.  She won't know what to do in a couple of weeks when Michael is home from college for summer break.  For the first week, at least, I expect Michael to catch up on sleep with Chloe right beside him.

So here are my cats, Chloe (guarding Michael's photo)...and Cyrus (last 3 images) in all his glory.

My Dog Bob

After an intense couple of weeks leading up to Easter, I've just spent another intense week entertaining family members who have been visiting from Ohio.  I told Jamie this afternoon that I just couldn't wait to get home to my dogs, especially Bob.  While we have three great dogs, Bob is just really, well, my dog.  He just goes ballistic when I walk in the door, then completely melts on top of my feet, as if it's been forever since he's seen me.

Wouldn't it be great if humans greeted one another that way?  Well, I'm finally settled in and Bob is laying on my feet.  Life is good.

Gone To The Dogs, Part 2

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6 [NIV]

The topic of worry has come up in a couple of conversations this week, causing me to chew on it a bit.  I know it's hard not to worry, but think of worry as if you're sitting in a rocking chair, rocking away day and night, expecting to go somewhere.  After all of the energy you put into rocking (worrying), you're still in the same place.

Last night, as I was playing with our dogs, I thought a bit more about worry and how these little dogs aren't anxious for anything, yet everything they need (and much that they don't) is provided for them.  Most people tell us that our dogs are spoiled (code word for well-cared for).  They have plenty of fresh food and water; toys (too many); they are regularly washed and groomed with the coolest de-shedding tool - The FURminator; and their health is regularly maintained.  I'm sure that they don't lie around wondering where their next meal is coming from or if they'll get a treat upon our arrival home.

Jesus tells us seven reasons not to worry in Matthew 6:25-34:

1. God, who created you, can be trusted with your care, with the details of your life
2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts today.
3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
4. God does not ignore those who depend on him.
5. Worry shows a lack of faith in God.
6. God cares about our character and our spiritual growth and worry prevents us from pursuing challenges which brings growth.
7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Just as our care for our dogs is a reflection on us as their owners; let God have the glory for how your needs get met threw Him.

Bob

We have three dogs that we let get away with everything.  Well, I actually let them get away with everything.  I can't blame Mike for their get-away-with-anything behavior.  Our adult children can't believe how I've spoiled these little dogs.  Our daughter Alana recently lamented, "You've never enabled bad behavior in your life, until now.  Why couldn't you have let us get away with a little bit?"

All of our animals are rescued and two of our dogs are the only surviving puppies from a 7-pup litter.  We adopted them when they were 5 weeks old and each weighed less than 3 lbs.  Bob and Martha are now three years old and I'm crazy about them. 

The past couple of weeks have been super busy and this morning it was apparent that Bob had had enough "neglect".  Bob and Martha are "Puglies", part pug and part ugly; you know the kind of ugly that makes you think, "how cute".  They are on the small side of medium, weighing about 23 lbs. each.  This morning, just as I was getting ready to leave our bedroom, Bob came over and sat right down on my feet and wasn't about to budge.  I wiggled one foot, which made him lean even more into my legs and feet.  At that moment I almost took the day off to play with my very spoiled and much loved dogs.

On another note, our friend Bob is doing well in East St. Louis.  You can check out more about Bob, his wife Marha, their kids and church at www.bob.blogs.com.

Photo of Bob

Gone to the Dogs

The CBS Saturday Early Show included a segment this morning on dogs and how the number of dog owners has grown from 15 million in 1960 to 70 million in 2006. The segment also alleged that 70% of dog owners shared their problems with their dogs, rather than family or friends.

During the same segment, the correspondent brought up the enormous outpouring of compassion for Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, whose life is still in question after surgery to repair multiple breaks in his leg, after an injury last weekend. The amount of press devoted to this story is astonishing.

The correspondent finished the segment by inferring that humans treat animals better than their fellow man. I’m immediately thinking, “Why?”  Is it because dogs greet us everyday, sometimes multiple times, as if it’s the last time that they may ever see us?  Maybe it’s because dogs don’t hold a grudge or carry around guilt.  Or, could it be that we can count on our dog’s behavior to be consistent, no matter what our mood is? Could it be that it’s because dogs are forgiving of our inconsiderate behaviors, like when we leave them for long periods of time, always greeting us with open arms and a kiss (okay, wet nose)?

I wonder what would happen if humans greeted one another as if it were the last time they might see each other?  What would happen if we set aside our baggage and guilt, forgiving one another? What if we showed one another the kind of compassion that Barbero has received this week? What if we showed each other the kind of unconditional love that our dogs show us?