Molly's Right Rear Leg

Molly’s Right Rear Leg

i know this is a silly thing to do. i am compelled to write things down for u to see that might include lots of readers, when i wouldn’t be comfortable to say the same things to a few people on sunday morning. anyway, here we go. when molly poops, she always hikes her right leg, it quivers, and she looks to me for affirmation. there, i said it. she is my poodle you know, and lots of things go thru my head. i always say, “good girl” and know that here is another time we have saved the carpet. we even begin these sessions together the same way every time. i say, “does any big girl want to go potty in the front yard?” then Molly and Maggie come running, bounding over the furniture, even the white couch they were not supposed to sit on. i always think, “how silly, big girls don’t go potty in the front yard,” but the doggies don’t know that. anyway, we go out side and begin the process again. Molly is so well trained in the “potty area” of her life that she rings a bell hanging from the back door when she wants to potty. ‘course we have to give such a good girl a treat for being so good, so i used to give her a dog biscuit when she did this act of socialization for us. now, since she rings the bell every ten minutes, we get the idea that she might ring the bell for serious potty needs, but also for occasions including the need for attention or to see how well trained we are to jump to obey and to know the difference.
anyway, the thing is, i stand outside on the house on the front porch at 4 in the morning, and watch to see if this is a dry run, or if we are really out here in the frost to potty. sure enough, there goes the right leg, and molly potties! another resounding “yes” that i am a good dad, but not too bright if i am allowing this little girl to get me out of bed in the middle of the night. this is usually when i get weird. i start to think about being a “god” to her, watching over her and protecting her. i know her most intimate habits, and even cheer her on. that is just the beginning of my theological ramblings. i start to see God differently. yes, i pray when i am involved in those moments myself, and read to use the time well. maybe my view of my “God” is skewed, but i kind of see Him doing the same as i do for Molly on the porch. Luke 12 says that He is watching and that He cares, and i can almost hear Him say, “good boy,” as He offers me a treat for being obedient. pretty silly things i think about on the porch at 4 in the morning! i have more to think about, such as do all poodles hike their right leg, or is molly “right-legged”? is there a “perfect poodle” image somewhere that God created to use for creating poodles, or did they change thru the years with the input of people to make them more “poodley”. another question is about God and the whole reward thing, how much of what i do is really to please Him, and how much is just to be a “good boy”?
you see? it is a dangerous thing to wake up this brain at 4 in the morning. i am so blessed and enjoy life so much because of the peace that i have that i am freed up from fear and anxiety so i can ponder these things. i guess that is a good thing. anyway, love to those who i know and love, and peace to those accidental readers to venture here.