Puppy thoughts at Easter

It’s the day before Easter Sunday, 2019, and I took Chanel for a walk. I’m very fond of Chanel, although she belongs to my good friend Mary Ann. She’s a Morkie, which is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkie. A really pretty dog – she’s small like a puppy but she’s not young like a puppy anymore.

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Chanel makes me think about love. There is no question she loves me, and this makes me feel good. When I approach her after being absent, her tail wags like crazy and her eyes light up. Is she thinking about the joy and comfort of our personal relationship? Do I wag my tail when I meet other people, even strangers?

During our walk this morning, Chanel reminded me of how much she appreciates exploring the world. She’s sniffing the ground plus the wafting air currents continually, and maybe her nose perceives a “picture” of the world perhaps like my eyes perceive a visual picture. Maybe Chanel is bimodal and sees a visual and an olfactory perception of the world. It made me remember that I’m bimodal also: with a spiritual perception, as well as a natural one. The spiritual one is acute right now, because its Easter – and I want to continually explore and grow in this realm.

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The grass was heavy with dew and Chanel’s feet got dirty on the walk. When we returned, I had to wash her feet, which she didn’t like, but resisted only momentarily. Does she understand what’s best? Probably not, but she submits. It made me think that when my hands or feet get dirty, do I resist or submit when God tells me they need to be washed?

Last, I have observed Mary Ann’s love for Chanel. It’s an amazing love and has all the evidence of an unconditional love. Is it possible that God loves me as much as Mary Ann loves Chanel?

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The flip-side is that Mary Ann, who has suffered intense pain for many years, needs Chanel’s presence and love. Chanel provides immense comfort, and is always expressing her love toward Mary Ann. Surely I can act more like Chanel toward others who need hope: a more innocent love, less judgmental, less conditional, more compassionate.

To me, Easter is special because it represents the second great act of God’s love. And my Easter walk this morning inspires me to reach out in love to help others – like Chanel does – like Jesus did.

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PS: I write blogs about three topics: Science and Energy, Health and Hiking, and Inspiration and Hope.

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The Gray Nomad ….. Let love show in action.
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“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And Jesus replied to him, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
[Book of Matthew, chapter 22].

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Marlene Schlatter
Marlene Schlatter
4 years ago

Hi Ian, I received the email! Thank you for sending it. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the next one.

PB
PB
4 years ago

Just want you to know – in spite of feeling overwhelmed right now – I took the time to read your blog! Beautiful, timely and very much appreciated, Ian! Sent it to both my kids as well. It’s post Easter but another beautiful Sunday! Enjoy and God Bless! Our country could use more blogs like this!

Don
Don
4 years ago

This is a late comment, but after reading your inspiring blog, I felt that I needed to comment, I appreciate your comparative insights into the love of God, our Heavenly Father, for all who have live, who live now and who will live here on Earth. I also appreciate your comments regarding our ability and need to show our love and care for others, just as our Savior Jesus Christ has, and even now shows for each of us. As you emphasized, Easter is indeed a very special and spiritual time for believers, as well as for everyone who has ever lived on Earth; because He has overcome death for all, and we all will live again after earthly death. Chanel is a good example of love, and you have shown that we can learn much of love from our animal friends. Thanks Ian for this inspirational blog.

Carol
Carol
4 years ago

I always enjoy your words and wisdom. Happy Easter my friend. Love, Carol.

Barbara Leachman
Barbara Leachman
4 years ago

Lovely thoughts. God does love us more than we can ever know. Thankful we still have Easter to remind us of Him. Give Maryann our love.

Karen Larre
Karen Larre
4 years ago

Beautiful, Ian. Made me cry.

Julian Pfitzner
Julian Pfitzner
4 years ago

Thanks for the message, Ian, and a happy Easter to you and Mary Ann. Easter does remind us of the unconditional love of God and so is such a wonderful and reassuring time for us all. May we always live in an Easter time as we remember this great love. Julian

Bev Saegenschnitter
Bev Saegenschnitter
4 years ago

Happy Easter to you Ian. Loved reading this piece – I am a sucker for anything related to dogs. You are right – they teach us so much about love. Bev

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