Have you ever watched The Dog Whisperer ? It’s a facinating show! A family has a dog who doesn’t listen and acts up. In many cases the dog is the "boss" of the house. Then Ceasar Millan comes in and is able to connect with the dog, deal with the dog’s issues, explain to the owners what they’re doing right and wrong, walk them all through a time of rehabilitation and leaves the family (dog included) in a greater state of growth than before he came. It’s amazing to watch. It causes me to think about times past with my own dogs.

My Story

In my 34 years of life, I’ve had two dogs that captured my heart. Prince was half German Shepherd and Colie. I had him from the time I was born until I was 14. He had gotten so old and sick that we were going to take him to the vet to be put to sleep. He died the night before. I never thought I would ever love a dog like Prince again.

Then came Elijah - a Golden Retriever. We bought him when he was a few months old and the whole family fell in love with him. Especially my mother, who doesn’t really like dogs. He died last year from heart complications. I was with my wife when my mom called to give me the news. I started crying and she thought something really bad had happened.

"Who died?" She asked fearfully. When I told her it was Elijah, she had to force herself not to laugh. After I had some time to get myself together, she told me that the way I was looking and crying, she thought an actual ‘person’ had died. I don’t hold it against her. She was never a dog owner, so I don’t expect her to "get it." But if you are a dog owner, you get it.

Dogs have a way of getting into our hearts - to the point that we treat them like they’re human (sometimes better than human!) They stay with you when you’re in painful situations and wag their tails when you come home from work. And they love to lick your face and roll around on the ground.

One day when I was sitting in the chair in the living room, Elijah came barreling around the corner and jumped right into my lap! Now, every time I see a Golden Retriever, my eyes get misty

We Walk Together

I remember when I would take Elijah for walks. He was always an energetic dog who loved to run and pull you around the block. We had hired a trainer for a short while to get him to calm down and give us some instructions for keeping him calm when we were out.

When my dad or brother would take him for a walk, he’d pull all over the place. But when I took him for a walk, I wouldn’t move when he started pulling. Then I would draw on his chain twice and tell him in a stern, but loving voice, "No Elijah. We walk together." Then I’d wait another moment and begin walking.

We’d get about six feet before he tried to pull again. I would stop and repeat my gesture. Then I would pull him close and we’d begin walking again. For the first half of the block, he’d try and pull to run ahead or off to one side. But by the second half of the block (having repeatedly done my gesture), we’d walk together, side by side and the pace that I wanted to go.

I would periodically give him a little more space and then pull him slowly back close and we’d just enjoy the walk. And when he did well and we got to the last part of the walk (top of the hill where my parent’s house is), I’d give him all the room he wanted and we’d run down the hill, at full speed… together.

The Ultimate Dog Whisperer

The more I walked Elijah, the more I began to realize that isn’t our relationship with God similar? I’m not saying we’re dogs, but He is our Master. And as much as we may love our pets, God loves us infinetly more! So when we walk through the world and want to run ahead and do our own thing, God gently pulls back on us and say sternly, but lovingly, "No my child… We walk together."

And when we’re obedient to His leading, and He can see that He can trust us, there will be times when he gives us more freedom because He knows - better than we do - that we can handle it. Even then, He runs beside us… or better yet, we run beside Him.

I remember, before we had the trainer, when Elijah was run over by a car because he wanted to run free while unattended. He was injured, but survived and eventually recovered. Often times restrictions are used to help us and not to hinder our development.

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