November 12 – “A kid and a dog”

Josiah showed himself to be quite the little personage when they were here the other day.  He really likes to play with the dogs, and he isn’t at all hesitant to let out with a loud “No” or “Down” when Fritz get into his face.  But being the shortest one around so far (I don’t think he will maintain that designation for long.  He’s a big kid), he really likes to hang out with the dog that’s also built close to the ground.  Heidi is a dachshund.  She’s also skittish about who she feels comfortable around, and even when she does let you get close, she is quick to respond to attention in a - how shall I say it? – damp way. 

So on this particular occasion Josiah tracked Heidi down.  And it took some doing.  He started by checking out her favorite hiding place, which is under some bushes.  Now that was a sight to se.  To get under those bushes you have be about the size of a dachshund.  But Josiah barreled right in, determine to find his little prey.  She wasn’t there, though, so he had to turn his attention to the greater expanse of the back yard.  And he checked everywhere.  He walked up onto the deck.  Nope.  He stuck his head through the dog door to see if she had gone back inside.  Nope.  Wherever he turned, she was managing to stay one step ahead of him.  Finally, though he spotted her in the far back corner, lolling around in the shade of the Satsuma tree.  And off he went.  She must not have seen him coming, because she stayed put this time.  And once she realized he was there, reaching out to pat her, she responded in the first of her two typical ways – she peed.  Patiently, Josiah waited for her to complete the delivery.  Satisfied that she was done, he slowly reached for her again, and Heidi moved to response number two – she rolled over on her back with all four paws sticking straight up in the air in the classic “rub my tummy pose.”  Josiah was briefly taken aback.  He had expected to be patting her on the back, and now that part of her anatomy was denied to him.  He paused for several long seconds, taking in the situation and struggling to decide exactly how he was expected to respond to this strange new development.  And finally it hit him.  He knew exactly what to do.  He squatted down to get as close as he could, and … high fived her front paw.  Of course.  What else would she have been wanting from him?

Psalms 37:18-19 says, “The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.  In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”

Father, thank you for the special relationship between little boys and dogs.  Amen.