My Dog George

My dog George was rescued nine years ago when he was around five. He is part Irish setter, cocker spaniel and chow and is the most beautiful dog. George has the Irish setter long red hair, cocker face and bright, reddish brown eyes ringed with black permanent eyeliner.

It was love at first sight. It was like he knew he had to impress us. He ran between my husband and me giving us kisses and sitting in our laps. We were hooked and took him home with us not realizing we were going to have some difficulties because of George’s past.

George’s owner loved George and would drive to the drive through at McDonald’s and George would get a burger along with his owner until a day of great sadness came for both of them. George’s owner died. In the wife’s grief she left George alone for days in a condominium and some time between the time the man died and his best friend took George to live with his family on a farm George was abused. He became afraid. His personality wanted to be friendly but he was fearful and in being fearful he became a dog that you couldn’t quite trust.

Through the years George would go backpacking with me. On one trip I felt someone staring at me and I looked up the trail to this mountain of rocks and at the top was George. He was watching over my friend and me as we hiked up the trail. Later that day he almost knocked me over trying to get to my friend while she was struggling with her balance crossing a creek. I think he thought she was going to fall in and wanted to be there to either assist in the rescue or join the swim.

George is now around 14 years old, moves slowly and doesn’t hear or see very well. My throat tightens up as I think of how he used to be full of energy and ready to hike at a moment’s notice. He now sleeps most of the day. George, like me, loves the sun so, we fight to see who can find the sunlight streaming through the windows to lay there and pretend we are cats and soak up all the rays.

Why am I telling you about George? Perhaps, just because I love George even though he makes our life difficult. When the grandchildren come George must be closed into our bedroom which he despises. Lately, when we come home from work George has had an accident. We need a lot of patience with George.

George doesn’t have to perform, complete a list of tasks or meet anyone’s expectation to earn our love. George is loved for being George.

This is a special reminder to me that God loves me for who I am and not for my accomplishments or lack there of. My value is in Christ and not in other’s expectations. There is a peace in the knowledge that God will continue to love me no matter if I become old and forgetful or unable to serve. Or if I just am. God loves me and wants me secure in His love like George is in our love.