Tiny Dog Security Team–Episode 1–Independence Day

Usually, during rainstorms, our three dogs go crazy whenever it thunders.  They run through the house with their little paws slapping frantically against the hardwood floors.  They scratch impatiently at my door until I finally let them into the room.  Then, they scoot quickly under the bed and hide until the storm is over.

Because of the dogs’ response to thunder, I was concerned how they would react to the fireworks on the 4^th of July.   I imagined that the dogs would be running around in circles and barking hysterically once the fireworks began.  However, to my surprise the dogs were holding it together much better than I was.

Once the fireworks started, I jumped in surprise every time I heard the loud sizzles, cracks, pops, and rumbles that echoed around the neighborhood.  It has been 25 years since I have experienced a Kansas 4^th of July holiday. For the last 11 years, I had been living in the deserts of Southern California.  Personal use of fireworks is illegal there due to the dryness in the region.  Fireworks are a huge fire hazard in such an arid environment and can only be used in professional displays like at baseball games and theme parks.  While I lived in California, my Independence Day celebration was quiet and calm.  I wasn’t used to hearing the constant explosions happening all around me now and was growing more unnerved as the loud booms continued late into the night.  Every now and then, I ran to the front door to peek outside.  I wanted to see exactly how close the fireworks were to the house.  It sounded like the explosions were happening right outside the front door.  I worried for a moment if I needed to move my car to a safer location.  Was the house secure?  Of course, I was worrying needlessly but the deafening roars of the fireworks continued to unnerve me.  I apprehensively shut the front door.  The light from outside flickered about the dark room and made me feel anxious.  I walked back into my bedroom, shut the door, and took some long deep breaths.

And then….

Oh, goodness, I could hear the dogs thumping down the hallway to my room.  Then, of course, they were soon scratching at my door.  “Okay,” I sighed.  “The dogs are freaking out now.”  I got up from my seat at the desk and opened the door.  The dogs didn’t run into the room, though.  Instead, all three dogs stood in a straight line on the threshold and stared up at me with concern in their eyes.  Then, they came slowly into the room.  But instead of scooting under the bed, they circled around me and looked at me hopefully.  I walked back to my chair and sat down heavily.  To my surprise, the three small dogs surrounded me and stood at attention.  I suddenly realized then that the dogs weren’t looking for comfort; they had come into the room to protect me!  Had they sensed my anxiety?  Did they realize that I was uncomfortable?  Could these three small, incredible dogs actually read my emotions?  They had come into my room not to hide but to unselfishly take care of me.

Once I began to settle down, Cowboy and Friskie returned to the front room.  Only Starburst remained in the bedroom with me.  Starburst is a tiny, older, furry-all-over, white-and-brown female mutt who usually is very calm and low key.  Tonight, however, she stayed on alert.  Though she began to spread out and relax under my chair, whenever I jumped due to another loud crack of fireworks, Starburst would leap up on her four stubby little legs and walk around my chair; she marched around the room as if she was on patrol.  She growled and hissed at any noise that threatened my sense of well-being.  Slowly, she would settle back down beside me again.  She would relax until the next boom occurred just a few seconds later.  And then once again, “Officer Starburst” was back on patrol.  Starburst stayed with me for most of the evening.  She only left my side when I finally turned off my computer and got up from my chair.  After telling Starburst thank you for taking care of me, I closed my door after I thought she had gone back into the living room.

A few minutes later, I opened my bedroom door as I was getting ready for bed.  Oh, my gosh!  To my surprise, I found all three dogs standing sentinel in front of my doorway again.  I was so amazed that the dogs were still protecting me throughout the night.  Little Starburst seemed to be the commander of the Tiny Dog Security team.  She remained stretched out in front of the door as if she was blocking entry into my room.  She looked alert—poised and ready to attack any threat to me.

I suddenly laughed out loud as I got down on the floor.  I happily wrestled and played with the dogs for a few minutes before assuring them that I was fine now even though the fireworks continued.  Though Friskie and Cowboy wandered back off to their bed in the living room, Starburst remained with me throughout the night.  Starburst is Friskie’s mom and I guess when she thought I was scared, her mother instincts took over.  She was, for that night, my protector and defender.  Friskie and Cowboy also continued to check up on me throughout the night.

So with Starburst remaining outside my door, I settled down into bed.  And though the fireworks continued to rage outside, I fell into a peaceful, calm sleep, knowing that I was protected by pure kindness and unconditional love.

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Peaceful Days

Tuesday, March 14, 2016, was a great day!  Oh, I didn’t do anything special. I wasn’t on some romantic adventure or wandering off to exotic faraway places.  I wasn’t hang gliding or zip lining or skydiving.  Tuesday was quiet, but it was still a great day.

I woke up around 9:00 am.  That is sleeping late for me.  I used to wake up around seven every morning.  But for the last six months, I had been working early morning hours.  My workday starts at 4 am.  So, staying in bed until 9:00 is a luxury.  I stretched, stumbled out of bed, and quickly dressed.  I left my room and walked through the quiet house.  By now, my sister-in-law, Mary, was gone for the day.  My brother, Tony, was already hard at work.  Over the past few weeks, Tony has been diligently working in the backyard every day.  He has been clearing away all of the brush and saplings that have collected and overgrown the fence line.  A few days ago, I asked Tony why he was cutting all of the young trees away.  He responded that there were too many of them.  As I listened to him explain the situation to me, I was suddenly fascinated with the strength and determination inherent in all forces of nature.  Tony told me that he didn’t plant any of the trees.  The saplings were from acorns that had been blown by the wind or were dropped by the numerous squirrels running throughout the yard.  The acorns had taken hold and grown roots deep into the soil which caused areas of the ground to buckle and cave.

“And look at this, Jamie,” Tony exclaimed as he pointed to several of the trees that were growing near the chain link fence.  The trees were growing so full and strong that their trunks had grown around the fence; the saplings had made the metal a part of their overall existence.  Metal had become embedded and absorbed by the wood.  As the trees grew, they had started lifting the fence with the steel poles up out of the ground.  Tony and Mary were concerned about the gaps at the bottom of the fence that were growing big enough for their three little dogs to slide through.  I was amazed when Tony showed me this phenomenon.  I guess nothing is stronger than every living thing’s natural inherent force to live, grow, and thrive.

I was amazed by the sight but still expressed some regret.  “It is too bad, though, that the trees can’t just grow free.  It’s sad that you have to cut them down.”

“Yeah,” Tony laughed, “now where are all of the little fairies going to live?”

I should have never told my brother that I believe in all magical and mystical things.  I didn’t mean it quite that literally but he is forever teasing me now about fairies, pixies, and unicorns running through the backyard.

Now, Tuesday morning, I smiled as I stood by the back door and watched Tony working so hard to clear away the yard.  I have always hated yard work.  I don’t like working under the hot sun or the feel of pulling weeds out of the ground.  But now, thinking about the information Tony shared with me, I slipped on my shoes and walked out the back door.  Before long, I was working side by side with my brother clearing away all of the brush that could create a dangerous fire hazard.  As we worked together, Tony and I shared stories, laughed, and teased.  As I worked, I watched the three little dogs running around the yard and digging up holes.  Every now and then, I would drop my gardening tools and chase them around in our own crazy, made up version of tag.  The dogs didn’t always play fair, but that’s okay; it was only a game.  The laughter and the playing made the work fun and enjoyable, and to my surprise, I suddenly found that I enjoyed yard work.  I loved the feel of the damp soil in my hands and the solid ground beneath my feet.  I loved working with the gardening tools and felt as if I was sculpting a more peaceful, danger -free environment.  I loved being outside and breathing the fresh air and for once I didn’t mind at all feeling the sun beating against my skin.

Tony and I worked together on the yard for several hours and had cleared away one small section before finally coming to a stop.  I felt flushed with the excitement of hard work and accomplishment.

After cleaning up and putting away the equipment, Tony and I grabbed a quick lunch together before he cleaned up and left for his job.  In a peaceful frame of mind, I spent the rest of the day, cleaning and organizing, writing, and pampering the dogs, who continued to demand my attention.  Once again, the dogs cuddled with me as we heard a bit of lazy thunder rolling around outside.  A few cool raindrops hit the house and front porch.  Little Starburst especially seemed anxious about the weather.  While the other two dogs began to relax on their own, Starburst stayed right with me.  She sat by my chair as I worked on the computer and refused to leave my side.  I didn’t mind.  I love bonding with the dogs and I’m always happy when they feel the need for my company.

Starburst was having an additional problem though.  I noticed it when she finally got up and walked across the hardwood floor in the family room

“Starburst, what’s going on?”  I asked her as if I really believed she would answer me.  “You sound like your tap dancing.”  Seriously, as she walked across the floor there was a continuous tap, tap, tap sound.  I easily picked her small furry body up into my arms and looked at her paws.  She had been out digging a small hole in the backyard earlier that morning and a tiny stone had gotten tangled up in the long hair around her right paw.  I tried desperately to snatch the stone away from her, but she continually jerked away from me.  Finally, I just cradled Starburst on my lap as I worked at the computer and waited for my sister-in-law to come home.  Together, Mary and I cut the stone away from Starburst’s paw and, once more, the dog was quietly trooping around the house.  I smiled as I watched her run and play with the other dogs.  It really felt good to take care of another living creature even in a very small way.

After a pleasant conversation with Mary and working on my latest writing project, I finally settled down into bed.  It had been such a pleasant day.  I didn’t do anything special.  I didn’t leave the house.  But I could not ignore the sense of peace and contentment that filled me.  And maybe that’s what counting blessings is really all about.  It’s enjoying those peaceful quiet moments in life.  It’s the ability to sit patiently and feel fulfilled.  I don’t always have days like this.  Many times, I am impatient for something to happen!  But now, I need to remember in my most anxious moments, that true contentment comes from the inside.  The ability to find bliss in quiet moments is a great gift.  I will probably never find happiness outside myself if I am not at peace first.  Just allowing life to happen without any preconceived notions is when I am always the happiest.

I fell into a contented sleep that night with my favorite Bible quote (Psalm 46:10) running through my head:

Be still and know that I am God (King James Bible)

Cease striving and know that I am God (New American Standard Bible)

Be still…something I rarely am but something I need to do more in my life.  I look forward to more quiet and happy days.  Be still… quiet days are filled with deep meaning and endless blessings …

 

Lessons from the Storm

Thunder!

I abruptly stopped typing on my computer keyboard when I suddenly heard the distant boom just outside my window.  The rumble wasn’t a loud clamor, but a quiet growl that seemed to echo all around me.  The weak roll of thunder still made me smile, though.  Of course, I considered the ever-changing and tumultuous weather patterns of the Midwest before I decided to return to Kansas last August.  Thunderstorms were one of the main things I missed while I was living for the last eleven years in the deserts of Southern California.

I love thunderstorms.  I love the feeling of being safe and warm inside while thunder clashes, lightening radiates, and rain cascades around my home.  I love witnessing the powerful effects of a storm that makes me realize the universe is even bigger than what I normally perceive.  Then, once the skies clear, I can smile at the approaching sunshine and realize that no storm last forever.  God’s great hope will always shine through the darkest and most violent times.  And then, when the storm…

A louder blast of thunder interrupted my thoughts, but it was the sudden howl and bark of our three dogs that made me jump.  Oh, my gosh, I had forgotten to consider how the dogs might react to this flash thunderstorm.  I hadn’t had a pet in nearly twenty years.  Moving into my brother and sister-in-law’s house last year had made me somewhat responsible for Tony and Mary’s three small, yippee, hyper, and anxious dogs when my family…my human family…was not at home.  I didn’t really mind; the dogs and I had bonded over the last several months.  I found great joy at times cuddling with the three mutts who always seemed to be starved for attention even though they usually dictate the happenings of the household.

I looked away from my computer and turned around in my chair.  Now, all three dogs were lined up, side by side, in the doorway to my room.  The dogs huddled closely together as they looked at me with huge, frightened, dark eyes.

“Doggies,” I started to say, using my pet name for the animals, “it’s okay!  It’s just thun…”

Suddenly an even louder boom rattled the windows, shook the house, and set the three dogs off as if they just heard the gunfire that signified the start of a race.  The three dogs jumped and banged into each other as they all started to run in different directions.  Frisky, the youngest and smallest of the three, ran directly under my bed.  Starburst and Cowboy, who are Frisky’s parents, ran in opposite circles for a moment before they both ended up hiding underneath my computer desk.  They huddled together as far back against the wall as they could get.

“Come out, doggies,” I called to all three of the animals.  I got down on my hands and knees and raised the blanket and sheets on my bed.  “Frisky, come on, sweetie,” I cooed as I tried to coax the little brown and white fur ball out of her hidden place.  “It’s okay, sweetheart, it’s only a storm.  I promise you’re safe.”  But Frisky did not believe me.  Two dark, wide eyes glowed back at me as the next burst of thunder propelled the dog back further into the shadowy areas.  I reached my hand under the bed and tried to touch the small, frightened animal.  But Frisky kept moving further back until she was now squished under the far side of the bed.  I found myself now lying flat out on the floor and crawling along on my belly as I tried to squeeze under the box springs.  My left arm reached out to grab the dog, but I just couldn’t reach her.  Finally, I gave up hoping Frisky would eventually crawl out on her own once the storm was over.  However, all it took was another, even closer slap of thunder to send Frisky racing out from under the bed in a furry, blurry blob to now join her mother and father under my desk.  Maybe, Frisky thought there was safety in numbers….or maybe, like all of us do, she just wanted to feel the loving warmth of her parents while she was so afraid.  Now, all three dogs again resorted to climbing on top and over each other as they searched for warmth and safety.

I just smiled now as I watched the dogs slowly beginning to calm back down.  I decided that I would just let the dogs stay under my desk if it helped ease their anxiety.  I sat back down in front of my computer and started to work again.  I couldn’t help but smile as the rain hit the windows and I rubbed my feet playfully against the soft fur of the three dogs clustered under my desk.  The dogs playfully began to roll over to allow my feet to pet their bellies and backsides.  We were all happy now and together…soon, however, there would be just a little too much togetherness.

The next clap of thunder sent all three dogs barking, howling, and running again.  This time the dogs began to claw at my legs as they tried to jump into my lap all at the same time.

“Doggies, doggies, settle down.  It’s okay.  You’re safe.”  But once more, the dogs refused to believe that the storm raging outside would not hurt them.  The dogs continued to push their way up onto my lap.  Looking down into the big eyes and furry faces, I couldn’t resist.  I leaned down and, one by one, helped each dog make the leap onto my lap.  There wasn’t a whole lot of room.  I had two of the dogs, Starburst and Cowboy, resting against each leg, and Frisky cuddled up directly on my lap.  I was just grateful in that moment that they were small dogs.  I don’t know how I would have managed if the dogs were Pit Bulls or Great Danes.  The dogs were lying on top of each other but for once, they didn’t seem to mind.  Usually, the dogs are fighting each other for attention.  I can never pet one without the other dogs knocking each other out of the way and placing their small, furry bodies underneath my outstretched hands.  I have heard the dogs growl and seen them nip at each other if they think one is being favored over the other two.  There have been a few times when my fingers have gotten caught between their tiny teeth as they wrestled violently for the top position of attention.

But today, as the rain hit against the window and the thunder continued to roll, the dogs didn’t seem to mind sharing the small space or me.  To my absolute surprise, the dogs even began to raise their furry paws and pat each other lovingly on the back or head.  They licked at each other’s faces as if trying to soothe worried brows.  The dogs tried lovingly to reassure each other that they were all safely together.  The comforting touches between the animals lightened the tension and soon all three dogs were breathing a little easier as they closed their eyes and began to doze.

I had to stop working on the computer then.  The dogs hampered my ability to correctly type up my thoughts.  But it didn’t matter, I smiled as I realized.  It had been a long time since I had taken care of another living creature during a raging storm.  I enjoyed this moment of feeling and delivering comfort and ease.  I delighted in the warmth of the dogs’ bodies as they cradled themselves around me.  I spent several minutes just relaxing, feeling warm and safe and, surprisingly, very present.  My own anxiety about my work, my writing, my life, and my world slowly dissolved as I stayed right in the moment.  I just sat there listening to the dogs breathing and feeling the weight of their small bodies.  I idly pet the dogs as I let my mind wander.  After a while, the storm began to ease.  The thunder and lightning stopped.  The rain became nothing more than a soft drizzle.

And I have never before experienced a more peaceful, sunnier glow after a storm….