Dog Days

Almost always, my articles for Her View From Home are about children, but several weeks ago I read this sweet story written by my friend Peggy about their dog, Dakota. During his long life Dakota was an inspiration to Peggy and her family, and now, I hope, to all of us who read this precious story.

Peggy wrote: “One day, several years ago, I looked outside just as this little red car was backing out of our driveway. My dog Dakota was near this car. I went out and found a handful of dog treats on the ground. My first thought was that someone was trying to coax him into their car, and I was really upset. I watched carefully for a few days, and then the car came back. I went out, ready to give them a piece of my mind.

“To my surprise, it was a woman and her adult son. They were both physically disabled, making it difficult for them to get out of the car and impossible for them to care for a dog of their own. They told me that they would drive around in the country and stop when they saw a dog. It just warmed my heart.

“For the next two to three years, they came about once a week, and, when they tooted the horn, I sent Dakota out. They would each open their car door, and he took turns going from side to side to get some lovin’.

“Things are not always as they seem.”

I love Peggy’s story. In our world today, we have learned to withhold our trust. We often avoid reaching out to others, and we hesitate to give our hearts to anyone who might need a bit of our time and attention. How wonderful to have the example of Dakota, a dog whose heart was big enough to give love and brave enough to receive it. Surely Dakota and Peggy were used by God to help us understand that wonderful Biblical truth: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” Luke 6:38  (King James Version)

Story and photograph by Peggy McConkey, Copyright, Peggy McConkey, 2014. Used with permission.