Dog lessons

I am not really a regular viewer of YouTube. But I am hooked on https://www.godtube.com that shows videos with spiritual and inspirational themes. Last Aug 8., I saw one video entitled “The Wonderful Things Dogs Teach Us About Life.”

If you’re following my column here, you would know I am hooked on dogs, specifically on my Labrador named Kaela and her 3-month old pup Mozzy. That’s why I was immediately drawn to watch this GodTube video.

It talked about lessons we learn from dogs. It showed that dogs teach us to: exercise, relax, love, share, overcome, be loyal, heal, be a hero and enjoy life.

Though the footages showed American people and their dogs, I kept on nodding my head in agreement. The video easily transported me to my own home and my dogs.

TO RELAX.  I smile with a sense of peace when I see them sleeping (sometimes with a soft snore) on their backs and all 4 limbs spread-eagled. Such a relaxing pose!

TO LOVE. They are like my shadows. Where I am, they choose to lie down and sleep. Before I can open the gate, they know I’m there. Even when they’re asleep, something nudges them to spring up because I’m there. It amazes me how they know I’m coming even if the car is still moving towards the gate! I guess that’s how t much love they have for their masters.

TO SHARE. Even if it makes them curl up in a tight position, they’d allow me to sit or lie down in their sleeping space. They’d gladly give it up for me.

TO HEAL. I had a major operation last year and while I was recuperating at home, Kaela would just stay beside me, quiet and still—the opposite of her usual playful self. My healing period was quick and in part was caused by what I felt was my dog’s  sympathy and   desire for   me to be well again.

TO BE A HERO. The super famous “Cabang” that saved a child from being run over by a motorcycle is a big lesson in heroism. This dog lost his entire snout because he threw himself into path of the vehicle to save the girl.

TO ENJOY LIFE.  When my two dogs sit in the car, I would open the windows. They seem to be uneasy when the airconditioning’s on. And once the window rolls down, I am amused at their cool faces taking in the wind. With half-closed eyes and wagging tongues, they just love the wind hitting their faces. They truly enjoy the moment.

These lessons are not unique to dogs. We don’t need them to teach us these valuable dispositions in life. The Bible already tells us so.

RELAX.  God promised in Matthew 11:28 : “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’’

LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:4 describes what is true love if we are to show it : “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ’’

SHARE. If we do this, we gain  points with God as Hebrews 13:16 says: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

HEAL. We can encourage and help one another to find comfort through the healing of Christ both spiritually and physically and Ephesians 4:31 says we can attain this when we can forgive and ask for forgiveness, too:  “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

BE A HERO. The true hero does not seek revenge but overcomes evil   with good. Romans 12:17-21 teaches us to “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. …never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

ENJOY LIFE. Make the most of what God gives. And Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 supports this: After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.

If dogs can learn lessons from their trainers and teach us the good things by their character, shouldn’t we Christians learn from words in the Holy Bible and practise them also so other people can also learn from us?

Only then can the world experience God’s peace that is beyond understanding.