It was pointed out to me the other day that I have written about Dukie, Lacey Jean, and Lilly Rose, all of our furry friends of the dog variety but I haven't yet written about Daisy Mae. So I thought I would tell you about this precious gift that has come into our life.
When our oldest son, Benjamin, was living on his own for the first time we recommended that he get himself a dog as a companion. We are all 'dog people' and know that they make the best of friends. Benjamin enjoys walking, sometimes great distances, so we suggested he get a beagle. A beagle would be the right size dog to compliment Alannah's cocker spaniel and would have the energy to enjoy walks with Ben.
No sooner was the thought formed than Ben found a breeder who had a litter of beagles. He and Alannah went to see the puppies and Ben fell in love with one of the little 'girls' who came right to him and seemed to adopt him. We were on a two day getaway at the time so we knew none of this was happening until we got a phone call from Ben on his cell phone. I knew he was trying to speak but all I could hear was the cries of a baby beagle. (If you've never owned a hound, you probably don't know that they have 1000 voices, oh yes... at least a thousand!)
Apparently little Daisy Mae would only stop crying when Alannah would hold her up to Benjamin's neck so she could curl up on his shoulder while he drove the car. That attachment has not lessened but has only grown. She curls up under the blankets while he sleeps. She has to be in the same room that he is and if she is separated from him at all, for any amount of time, she cries down deep in her throat and it is most pitiful!
Today, Benjamin decided it was time to clean the junk out of his car. It was parked in front of the house in full view of the living room window. So while he cleaned, Daisy Mae remained inside and sat on the brass wood box in front of the window and cried. Alannah held her and tried to comfort her by singing 'You Are My Sunshine', which usually helps, but today it did not. Nothing would comfort her. She could see 'her father' but she couldn't get to him. She finally calmed down once he came inside. She is a special, unique friend and we have all been blessed to have her come into our family.
If you've never had a furry friend, then you probably don't fully understand the strong bond that can happen when you give your heart to a dog. It is one of the gifts that the Lord gives to us. When I was young my Dad would read to me from his collection of Rudyard Kipling's works and one of his favourite, and mine too, was The Power of the Dog. I hope you enjoy it too:
The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
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