Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Who Let the Dogs Out?

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Now is as good a time as ever to share my dog stories, right? I have a problem with dogs. A big problem. I don't like them anymore. I was never a big dog fan, but now I'm a big scaredy cat when it comes to dogs. I already shared the bite in the bum story, which was fun, so I thought I'd share a few more canine incidents.

I decided for awhile that I should try to get our chocolate lab, Trout, to learn to run with me. He weighs almost what I do, so this is a little tricky. I had to take him on a leash, and I think my arms got more of a workout than my legs. So, this one time, I'm running along the road, and this neighbor's dog (most annoying dog EVER) runs out and starts running around me in circles. So, of course, Trout has to chase him. Can you see where this is going? I could too, but it happened too fast for me to do anything about it. The leash is wrapped around me, and Trout bolts off. My legs came right out from under me, and I landed directly on my bum cheek. Hard. I had the biggest bruise forever! Needless to say, that was Trout's last run with me.

Then another time, I'm running down the road, blissfully enjoying my music, and all of a sudden, there's a dog at my feet. It's a little teeny yippy thing, and I screamed and jumped about a mile UP. It was such a loud scream, and I was so embarrassed because the owners were sitting right there on their lawn. I didn't even look at them. I just kept on running. Stupid yippy dogs.

A scary time was when I was running on a new road that I hadn't been on before, and all of a sudden about 20 dogs (okay, it seemed like 20...it was probably more like 8) start running out at me barking. I'm really thinking this is the end of my life, and I had no idea what I was going to do. How do you fight off 20 (okay, 8!) dogs at once? Right about when I saw my life flash before my eyes, the owner comes out and calls them back. I was a little shaky running for awhile, but I made it home.

Well, there are a million more dog encounters, but that's the basic idea. Most of the time I can get them to stay back with my yelling and rock threatenings. I only actually ever hit a dog with a rock once. Not for lack of trying...I'm just a really bad aim. The one time I hit one, though, was right between the eyes. Totally coincidental, I know, but it looked like I meant to! That dog leaves me alone now. Mr. Blue Eyes says to kick the dogs, but I do NOT want to let a dog get that close to me!

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To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche