Lessons From the Leash...Random Roadside Toilets

Dear Sage, our rescue dog, has a real issue with fear. Basically he is afraid of...well...everything. We are not sure what the 1st 6 months of his life was like, but this dog came to us unusually frightful. Since a fearful dog is an unpredictable dog, I have been working with him quite a bit. Leash walking is excellent for exposing him to situations and helping to desensitize him. on one of our earliest walks, Sage couldn't even walk in a straight line. Don't think he'd ever been on a leash. Can you say "zig-zag"?. By the time we reached the end of the block, he had yanked my arm out of socket. Needless to say, our walk was not long. Later, however, he learned the art of walking in a straight line. He is flighty, though. If it weren't for the leash, he would be gone in a panic. One particular day we were walking through a familiar part of the neighborhood, when all of a sudden Sage panicked and tried to bolt. Then I saw the monster that startled him. It was a random roadside toilet sitting next to the road. He had rounded a large brick mailbox, when that porcelain monster scared him out of his fur. When he couldn't run away, he ran around...my legs that is. So here we were, all tangled up together unable to move away from the monster. I managed to step out of the leash and drag him away from the scene. Once out of sight, I comforted and reassured my silly, frantic dog. I laughed at him for several more blocks until God drew me a picture. How many times in my life have I bolted in my walk with the Lord. Fear has been my companion more times than I care to admit. I've missed some awesome blessings simply because I was afraid. Praise the Lord, He had me on a short leash. He had me. He still has me. He won't let me go. His Word is mine to comfort, reassure and lead me to my Promised Land. From 2001 till 2003 and even beyond, our international adoption journey was littered with random roadside toilets (okay, work with me here). Most days nothing was familiar. It was a road only accessible by faith. Also along the road were blessings that far outshone the toilets. God had us in training for such a journey as this. Every random roadside toilet that we come across is for our ultimate good and growth. May God continue to train us in the way we should go. And then, when He says, "Go!" we'll be ready. Learnin' to love the leash!

9/08/03....A Day To Remember

Eight years ago we journey half way around this world to meet our daughter for the first time. She was a treasure worth searching out.....and still is. Mommie loves you sweetheart!


TREASURE OF THE HEART


I remember as though it was yesterday,
the events that took place that day.
With excitement beyond description,
to Azerbaijan we had made our way.

This journey was unlike any other
in the eyes of this anxious mother.
For the treasure ahead was our daughter;
and a child is a prize like no other.

I held my breath and strained to see
the treasure she held so lovingly.
My heart beat wildly, I refused to blink
as the caregiver walked straight to me.

I beheld the most beautiful baby.
She was tiny and cute as can be.
I could hardly believe it was real,
when this treasure was handed to me.

I held her and I breathed her in,
memorizing her face, round and pure.
This child was the one I had prayed for!
She is much loved and wanted, for sure.

For so long I had dreamt of this moment,
and I'll always remember this day.
For this baby was born in my heart,
and in my heart forever she'll stay.

copyright
Diane Proctor

Lessons From The Leash...Introduction

Meet Sage, our rescue dog. We adopted him almost 1 1/2 yrs ago, after the loss of our beloved 14yr old Golden Retriever, Radley.

Sage has a darling smile, an engaging personality, and a whole lot of baggage! He is now around 2 years old and keeps us very busy. He is a Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix.

God very often uses my 4 kids to teach me truth. Now He is also using a dog named Sage to teach me. He is my four-legged-lesson-bearer. I must often take a step back, sigh, gather my wits, and renew my determination to make something out of this bouncing bundle of fur. I do not acquire to see him famous, or even regal. I just want a pleasant, controllable, enjoyable family pet. Now, he can definitely be that dog at times. But at other times? Well, that's the stuff good journals are made of. So be watching for the occasional postings entitled, "Lessons From The Leash."