Miss Twinkie

I remember the first moment I saw her...just a fluffy brown and white ball of fur. She was only five weeks old but so full of life and playfulness. She was a thief. From day one she began to steal my shoe strings, socks, stuffed teddy bear and, most importantly, my heart. She loved to play ball until she exhausted me and then, in satisfaction at her accomplishment, she would curl up in my lap and enter her puppy dream world. She went everywhere with me - work, town, post office and, of course, the bank. How she loved the bank! They always had a treat for her at the drive through window.


My Twinkie, yes, I have regretted naming her that. She is deserving of a more dignified name but she has never complained about it. She has been by my side for thirteen years, weathered many storms and listened to me when no one else wanted to. Her love and devotion has been steady through bad hair days, sick days and rotten mood days. No matter how low I feel, that dog still knows how to make me smile.

A few months ago, I learned she has congestive heart failure. She's been on ever increasing dosages of medication since then and daily I see her condition deteriorate. It rips at my heart. The once vibrant and bouncing Jack Russell now, mostly sleeps, but no matter how poorly she feels, her tail always wags when I enter the room or call her name. She still picks herself up out of bed to greet me and washes my hand with her kisses. My dog delights in my presence.

The unconditional, unfailing love of a dog is so beyond my comprehension. They willingly forgive and forget the gravest of wrongs. They never judge, never complain, never hold grudges or take slights to heart. They don't care if you are fat or thin, tall or short, blond or brunette, rich or poor. They don't care about your background or education, the car you drive or status you hold in society. They just love you because you are their master.

If I leave the house, my dog is always waiting and watching for my return, she has learned the sound of the engine in my car, she knows my foot steps and can tell that I am coming long before I arrive. She will leave her warm bed to greet me day or night in rain or snow.

My dog is a great example to me. She has shown me a glimpse of God's love for me and also shown me how I should love Him. Lately I have been wondering... Do I love God as much as my dog loves me? If so...how do I show it? God has given everything for me in the person of His Son... What do I do with that knowledge?
Jesus said, "If I go...I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man...Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (John 14:3, Mark 13:32,33)
Jesus came once and the majority of people didn't recognize Him. He wasn't what they expected Him to be, so they rejected and killed Him. He is coming again. Do we know and love Him well enough to recognize Him? Is it possible that we could make the same mistake again? Are we watching and waiting for His return with as much devotion and anticipation as our pets await our return home from town?
I desire to learn how to love the way my dog loves. I know God is the One who put that love in my dog's heart and He can put it into mine as well. The only difference is this: God gave me the ability to choose whether or not to accept and share it.

My prayer for us all is that we will be open to receive God's unconditional love, be willing to share it with others, get to know Him well enough to eagerly anticipate and await His return, and recognize the signs of His soon appearing.

Bonnie Morsette ~12-23-2009