Today Is A Gift. That’s Why It’s Called The Present.
“Focusing on the past will result in our missing out on the present. Why do dogs appear to be able to let go, and move forward?”
– by Rebecca Luedke
PASTOR WADE OF THE NON-DENOMI- NATIONAL ‘Emerge Church,’ recently started a series called From Here to There. Basically, it is about how to let go of our past, be mindful of the present, and work towards the future. In the series, we're reminded that, while our past can mold us, it can also hold us back. When we focus on placing blame for something that happened in our past, we will likely miss out on the good that is happening right now…in our present. Moving on is the only way we can get to a better place, in all facets of our lives. The sermon of course, got me think-
ing about dogs and how they seem to love unconditionally. Dogs are loyal, comforting, and entertaining to us. If you’ve had the privilege of fostering or adopting a homeless dog, you are aware of the fact that there is something special about them. I am a firm believer that somehow these dogs know that they’ve been given another chance at life. I don’t know to what extent they understand, or how they know, but they do. Like the good Pastor said, “It’s all
about letting go of the past. And the dogs I foster seem to be extraordinarily good at this. They’ve been dumped, ditched, bruised, neglected. Yet somehow they have been able to get beyond these abus- es, to become loving, sweet, loyal com- panions.” We humans tend to put up walls to
avoid getting close to others. We hesitate to take chances, avoiding risk because of the things we’ve been through. Dogs may be wary at first, and avoid humans for fear of being abused again. But, the difference I’ve noticed between humans and dogs is that dogs do get over the past. They are
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Spot was ditched and neglected, yet he is loving, loyal, and sweet.
Hambone was used and abused. This sweet boy is loyal and loving.
Daddy, lived most of his life in a kennel. Today he enjoys life and loves to play.
truly able to forgive and forget. So why can’t we humans get over
ourselves? Is it because we are overly emotional creatures? And don’t dogs have emotions? There are several accounts of dogs passing away as a result of a broken heart, after losing a close companion. And the fact that dogs seem to know just when to console their human, indicates they can sense sadness. Perhaps dogs are able to move on because they don’t process emotions like we do. They don’t have the capacity to dwell on things like we humans do. This concept is something I need to
work on. I am sensitive, and as much as I hate to admit it, I do tend to hold grudges. I get my feelings hurt, and I don’t easily forget about it. The things Pastor Wade said really hit home for me, and that is what led me to thinking about
Paulie, abandoned, nearly starved to death. Today, he still manages a smile.
rescue dogs. I want to live my life more like a dog — forgiving and forgetting, happy-go-lucky, loving, and loyal. I am going to try to start being in the present, which will help me move forward. And in the meantime, I will continue opening my home to these amazing beings, and learning the lessons that only they can teach. U
Y
Last Hope Rescue Florida is a recognized 501(c)3, all volun- teer animal rescue organization
based in Tallahassee. The group is dedicated to saving the lives of unwanted, neglected, abused and overlooked animals whose time is up in the high kill shelters of North Florida.
www.LastHopeRescue.org
Summer ~ 2013 THE NEW BARKER 63
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