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Making Pets of Your Dog Days!

Making Pets of Your Dog Days!

             Welcome to the Dog Days of summer! Dog days fall in the hottest period of the year (reckoned in antiquity from the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star). It is often thought of as a period of inactivity or sluggishness. Even the American pastime, baseball laments this time of their season. It is too early to get excited about playoffs and it is generally thought of as a hot, down time. I suggest that we make the most out of the Dog Days. If I may use the analogy and play on words, I would like to advocate making pets of our Dog Days.

1. Make them obedient.

            At one time we had a wonderful Old English Sheep Dog. The kids loved "Fluffy". She was fun, she was exciting, she was smart and she was big! It seemed no matter what we did, we could not control her. She was much like the runaway shaggy dog from the Disney movie. She would knock down furniture, kids and track stuff in from the yard. One of the best investments was when we enrolled her in obedience school. With a lot of work, she could sit, stay, and heel. In a simple word command, she would mind.

            Don't let this time of year go to waste. Tame it! If you find you have some free time (and this is especially to the kids out of school) make the most of it! Read that classic book you have always wanted to read. Clean that closet that has become cluttered. God to the museum you have thought about going to.

2. Feed Them.

            If you want to be amazed sometime, go down the aisle of your grocery store and see how much shelf space is dedicated to pet food. It will amaze you. Well, if people are concerned about food for their pets, why not be concerned about your mental food? Don't let the Dog days go lazily by and just throw "scraps" to them. In life we all live through the same seasons. This is a great time to put some good stuff in your mind. The Bible says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

3. Groom Them.

            Our Old English Sheep Dog was truly a magnificent creature. Her father was the number one show dog in the state of Texas and her grandmother was the number show dog in England. Her pedigree was impeccable. If, however I did not groom her, she looked like a monster! Her hair would become tangled, she would pick up burrs and all manner of unidentifiable things and look out if she got wet and muddy and then came in the house and shook. You have no idea unless you have owned a huge longhaired dog, how many small specks of mud can be blasted over the walls. When grooming Fluffy I could not use a regular brush, I had to use a special comb and pull it strategically through her hair.... and forget about getting in a hurry. When she was groomed she was something to behold. If we took her for a walk, we would not be able to keep pace because we were often being stopped and asked about her. She was stunning (when groomed)!

            I like to come to the end of the day relieved that I have made the best use of my time. It is advisable to make a thing to do list before you go to bed. This really helps, for one thing you will not be kept awake wondering, will I get it done or forget. This does not only apply to the summer dog days, but let's all think about grooming all our days and making something beautiful out of them with above all, God's help. Because if we just let them go and do whatever comes "naturally", we may find them looking like Fluffy after a run in the woods after a rain. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). Don’t just let whatever happens, happen. Let God help you take control. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying don’t have fun. Summer is a great time for special fun. As a matter fact, I believe in it so much I would advocate that you plan on having fun! Sometimes we become victims of always participating in other people’s fun. Sometimes their fun is fun, sometimes it’s not. Have some fun that you want to have! My goal is to groom everyday for devotions, for work and for fun and ultimately to bring glory to God.