“Trust in the Lord forever; He will always protect you."
~ Isaiah 26:4
They say that a dog is “man’s best
friend.” But sometimes dogs need a best
friend of their own.
Meet Girard, an aging golden retriever who was blinded with
cataracts from birth. He also had a
debilitating seizure disorder. His
owner, a man whose skin was so thin that his heart shined right through, cared
for the old dog without regret. By all
accounts, Girard had a wonderful life.
Then his owned died … and his world turned inside out. Without his human buddy, Girard fell into a deepening
state of anxiety. The panic he felt from
not having his owner’s help, his presence, and his companionship intensified
his seizure problems.
In fact, the shelter vet recommended Girard be
euthanized. Older dogs with disabilities
rarely adjust to new environments. It’s
cruel for dogs like that to live such stress-ridden lives.
That all changed when he crossed paths with a one-year-old black
lab mix named Bojangles in the exercise yard.
Bojo had been shot before finding her way to the animal shelter, so she
had her own set of behavioral and trust issues.
Dogs have uncanny observation skills. Bojo sensed that there was something different
about Girard; something that left him approachable yet vulnerable.
The two bonded almost immediately. Noting the dogs’ special connection, staff
members began boarding the two together.
As a result, both showed worlds of improvement. After only a few weeks, Girard’s seizures
diminished in both frequency and severity.
The task of caring for his pal had, in turn, made Bojo far less skittish.
There are many myths about dogs and countless surprising
truths. It's times like these that we
all wish that dogs could talk to us. But
dog lovers know intuitively what's going on in their minds.
Two dogs who were both incomplete now make each other whole.
Bojo instinctively guides and protects her
new best friend through life as a Seeing Eye dog … for a dog. Bojo is gaining new confidence and warmth. They learn and lean on each other.
The two were adopted together by a loving couple who
understood their special relationship.
As the song says, “We all need somebody to lean on.” We’re not as self-reliant as we may at times believe. Everyone is dependent on someone or
something, whether he is poor and needy or seemingly “healthy and wealthy.” Ultimately we must understand that God’s the one
in control and come to learn that we should depend on His guidance and leading.
How’re you doing? Are
you leaning on God, or are you handling life on your own? If you think you're doing pretty well
managing your life without God, watch out. It can all come crashing down in an
instant. Keep Him close … always.
“I love you.
Passionately. Irrevocably. Shamelessly. Undeniably. Completely. I won't leave you. Lean in. I will make a way for you. I am here. With you.
Even in your woundedness, Jesus still loves you. And so do I. ~ God
