SPARKY THE WONDER DOG

I LOVE my dog. I think he is perfect and wonderful and a gift directly from God to Rachel and I. I was praying about finding a dog for my daughter. Our yard was adjacent to a very busy parking lot and I wanted a dog that would protect her and watch over her. She had one dog that we rescued from the pound...an escape artist Beagle that Rachel named Malisha. Malisha could have cared less about Rachel and I am sure would have sold her out for a moldy, half-eaten hot dog. But, Malisha stories will be saved for another day. As I was saying, I was praying about just the right dog and I kept seeing a picture of Border Collie in my mind. After much dog research, I decided that a Wheaten Terrier would be the best dog for our family, our lifestyle, and our size yard. So, I began the hunt for a Wheaten. But every time I would pray, I would see a Border Collie. And then one day, when I was looking through the paper, I saw an ad- "Border Collie pups for sale". We traveled almost 3 hours to find 6 month old pups, not exactly the new puppy thing I was going for. And boy, were they hyper. I know Border Collies are high energy dogs used to running over 40 miles a day. I stepped out of the pole barn to send up another quick prayer..."Lord, are You sure? Am I really hearing from You?" I peeked back in the barn and there he was, one pup standing with his two front legs on the ledge of the pen, just looking straight at me with a look that said, "Me. I am the one you are waiting for!" Obviously we brought him home and Rachel named him Sparky. Border Collies often require only hand signals from their owners. Sparky studies our faces so intently....often, it takes just a look for him to know what it is we want from him. He is so devoted to us, that other people try to engage him and he will totally ignore them, just keeping a steady focus on us. Of course, when Rachel was small, it became his duty to protect and herd her and her friends, just like they were sheep. My neighbor used to try to entice Sparky with pieces of steak, but nothing would deter Sparky from his job of protecting Rachel. Once, Rachel was in the yard next door and she was screaming with laughter. Sparky thought she was in trouble and my neighbor said he watched as the dog sailed right over the fence to "save" her. We could leave the gate open and Sparky would stay in the yard, only coming out if we called to him. I was grooming him one time and he had a mat behind his ear. I went to cut it away and he was whining. I thought the sound of the scissors was bothering him, so I told him firmly to "stay/hush". He was perfectly still and quiet while I finished. It was only then that we noticed that I had actually cut him. I felt horrible! When my husband left, I never worried about us being alone, because I knew we had Sparky there to protect us. He is constantly at our side.

Sparky inspires me in my relationship with God. Watching Sparky with my daughter and I, reminds me to keep intently focused on MY Master....to search His face, to obey unwaveringly and without question, to be devoted in my love to Him, to live only to be near Him and to honor Him.

I love my dog!