Shiloh (left) and Georgie (right). |
I've never been one of those girls that have thought "being married will complete me." I have enough friends that fight for their marriages and work hard to make it work to believe that marriage is the answer to loneliness. But being self-aware doesn't make loneliness less of an issue.
God has a way of making things simple when I overcomplicate my life. So in the midst of such a difficult season, he found a way to bring me two of the greatest gifts I didn't know I needed.
Enter Shiloh and Georgie.
To avoid a 3,000 word essay on why dogs are awesome, here are the lessons they have taught me about life. Lessons that work with dogs and people alike:
- Guilt is an effective motivator, but love is the lasting motivator. Shaming a dog can be a quick fix, but loving a dog with patience is a lasting one. Sound familiar?
- Unconditional love is a real thing. Love can be so simple. We just complicate it instead of being open and accepting it.
- It is good to care for someone other than yourself. These dogs run my schedule now and I LOVE it. Being forced to put the needs of something else first at times is good for my soul.
I do think animals are God's gift to us. A reminder of simple joy, and simple love. I hope that one day I can be the person that my dog thinks I am. For now, though, I am just loving life with Shiloh and Georgie and the ways they make my life softer and more simple.
Also, how can you say no to those faces?
Shiloh is 4 years old and loves me completely. Other people, not so much! |
Georgie just turned two and he is the town mascot for Wake Forest! He fulfills his duty with honor. |
Georgie is a therapy dog at our local retirement home. It's the best part of my week to watch him with the memory care patients. |
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