Final Pictures of Dozsar

Dozsar enjoyed his final meal at home with the family

Rawhide chews were always a favorite

Peanut Butter made them even better

Getting ready to pounce on the rawhide.  He had a hard time bending down to reach it.

A little love shared between best friends

Dozsar liked for me to hold the rawhide so he could chew it.

Our last selfie...

Trying to stay comfortable.

Dozsar (2009-2014)

My last night with Dozsar.  Saying goodbye was hard...

I haven't posted in a while.  It is sad that I have to post that Dozsar died on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.  He was 5 years old.

Dozsar was my second vizsla.  We were blessed to get him not long after Rozsda died.  He became my best friend and loved to be with me.  Actually, he liked to be on me.  It is no wonder this breed is called the "Velcro" dog.  He certainly lived up to that!  He would nibble my nose and ears and was as lovable as any dog I have known.

We discovered a few months ago that Dozsar had hip dysplasia.  While a common disorder found in vizslas, I did not believe it would take his life so quickly.  We had him on some medications and supplements to try to help.  But, in recent days, Dozsar was dragging his hind legs when he tried to walk or run.  His back left paw was knuckling under.  He did not seem to be in pain; however, the spark that once existed brightly grew dim.  It would surface occasionally; however, he no longer seemed to be the happy, carefree puppy we knew so well.

His mind was sharp.  He wanted to go.  He wanted to run.  His body just wouldn't respond.  He experienced bowel incontinence and just couldn't support himself with his hind legs.  It broke my heart to see this happen to him.  I helped him up the deck stairs.  I helped him when his legs gave out and would slide up underneath him.  I tried to help him maintain his dignity.  Nothing worked.  He seemed so helpless and sad.

So, we made the decision to help him cross over peacefully and with dignity.  Up until the last minute, I still had doubts.  I still wanted to see him get better.  I even asked God to help him.  But, in the end, we knew this to be the right decision.  That, however, is no consolation to the gaping hole he left behind.

Guilt.  Sadness.  Grief.  These are the words that haunt me today.  I know these are not "pawsitive" words.   But, the grieving process, while hard, is necessary in the long run.  So, I will work through the sadness and look forward to the "pawsitive" inspiration that will come from looking back over Dozsar's short life and his brief time with us.

It doesn't feel like it right now, but I know I am better for having him in my life.

Perhaps there will be more "Pawsitive Words" to come.  But for today...I mourn.

I love you, Dozsar.  I miss you already...

Longing

There are times when Dozsar longingly looks outside.  Sometimes, he can't go outside and chase after whatever has captured his attention.  I love this picture of him looking out at something.  I don't remember what had his attention, but he was sure interested in something.  These days, he longs to come inside.  In fact, he has destroyed our siding on the house trying to get in.  That, unfortunately, is another story.

Paul had a longing to go to a certain place.  God, on the other hand, had other plans.  We really don't know why, but the Holy Spirit blocked the route when Paul's plan was to go to Asia.  Now, we can be like Paul and obey and go on our way.  Or, we can be like Dozsar and just longingly gaze at what might have been (but can't be).

Or, maybe the answer is "No...for now."  Perhaps a time will come later.  Regardless, we need to be obedient today - right now.

Acts 16:6-7King James Version (KJV)

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Shame

Dozsar had a growth removed from his back paw several years ago.  He recently began licking the same spot and it developed into a sore that wouldn't heal.  He started limping and not walking correctly so I took him to the vet.  As it turns out, he has hip dysplasia.  That caused the limp.  However, we also needed to get the wound healed, too.  For that to happen meant that he needed to stop licking it.  To stop licking it required...the cone of shame.  Otherwise, he risks an infection, the loss of his leg, and potentially even his life.

I then thought about my own life.  I sometimes pick at old wounds - wounds that should have healed by now and would have if I would just leave it alone.  But, I can't.  Subsequently, the constant re-living of past wrongs and hurts keeps the wound open and raw.  It won't heal until I leave it alone.    There may be a scar that remains, but at least it will heal if I will leave it alone.  Why don't I?

I know that Jesus takes our hurts and shame.  Yet, I wonder if a little shame, remorse, and/or regret would do us some good.  I mean, come on.  This thing would have been healed and done and over if we would just leave it alone.  But, we don't. We re-live it over and over and over again.  We ought to be ashamed - ashamed that we don't leave it alone, that is!  The past happened.  Deal with it.  Move on and let it remain in the past.  To do otherwise is crippling.

Dozsar hated the cone.  It was awkward for him.  It was awkward for us.  Yet, it was necessary for him to heal.  Maybe we could use a good dose of healthy shame in order to heal.  Look to Jesus for help.

Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  ~Hebrews 12:2

A World of Fun

A little fun with Dozsar's pictures.

Happy New Year!

Shout for Joy

Psalm 98

4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Enough said.

What's That Smell?

Have you ever wondered if you could pass God's smell test? Did you know He had a smell test?

I recently shared a "new" smell to Dozsar.  I caught this largemouth bass from our pond over the weekend.  Knowing that he had never seen (or smelled) a fish, I thought I would introduce him to this new fragrance.  It must not have smelled that great because he wasn't that interested.  Had that been a piece of steak, he would have gone nuts.  But, something must not have smelled right.  So, he did not accept it.  He lost interest.

I found these Scriptures below and found that our lives need to pass the "smell test" with God.  If something doesn't smell right, something just might be fishy.

The First Smell

"Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in His heart: 'Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood'" (Genesis 8:20-21).

The First Smell Test

"Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord" (Exodus 29:18).

The New Covenant Smell

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 4:32—Ephesians 5:1-2).

The Use of Smell

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us 
to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

So how do we create a good smell for God, and in turn, be used by God to spread the aroma of Christ? The answer is simple: sacrifice.

The sacrifices in Ephesians 4:32—5:2 are directed toward the interaction between believers. Admittedly, it's counterintuitive to think inside the church walls instead of outside. Galatians 6:10 tells us to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (emphasis added). When believers on the inside are sacrificially kind and forgiving to each other, following Christ's example to "walk in the way of love," they create a fragrance that God can use to attract outsiders.

Let the smell test begin.  Let's pray God doesn't smell something fishy...

Friendship

Friendship is valuable.  Even though we may think that we can make it on our own, we were not created to be alone.  After God created Adam, it was obvious that being alone was not ideal.  The rest of creation had companionship, but Adam had no one in the world he could call a friend.  He, of course, had a relationship with God.  However, he needed someone he could spend time with while taking care of the garden.  So, God created Eve.  More than friends, they were husband and wife.  Yet, I believe they were also best friends.

Skyler and Rozsda were best friends.  Not long after we brought Rozsda home in 1999, we discovered that he need a canine friend.  We introduced Skyler not long after and those two became best buddies.  Although they were different breeds, had different personalities, and had different needs, these two dogs quickly bonded and were quite the pair.  They went on many adventures together, especially when they escaped the yard.  I think Skyler, who was somewhat timid, would literally follow Rozsda to the end of the world.  They were inseparable.

The day we had to take Rozsda to put him down (I hate how that sounds) was tough on everybody.  I do not know how dogs can sense what is going on, but Skyler knew something was happening.  Beagles are usually known for their barking.  However, Skyler was unique.  He rarely barked.  When he did, we knew something was wrong.  As we loaded Rozsda up to take him in, Sklyer commenced barking and howling.  Someway, somehow, I believe he knew something terrible was happening.  That, along with the rest of the events of that day, broke our hearts.

When we returned, Skyler was different.  He never was really the same after that.  Even though we were able to get other dogs, it was not the same for Skyler.  Oh, he would occasionally play and we would see glimpses of his former self.  However, I think a part of him died that day, too.  Then, one day he escaped on his own and never returned.  We searched desperately for him, but we never found him.  We were so sad.  To this day, we do not know what happened to him.

I miss both of these dogs.  Yet, in the short time with them I learned the value of friendship.  While they were both loyal to me, they had a unique bond with each other.  Together, we had a wonderful family and life.

I think the same is true with our relationship with God.  We have a unique relationship with Him.  Yet, we also need to have relationships with others.  As we build those relationships, with God as the center, we will find a more fulfilling life.  When the time for separation comes, it will be painful.  However, it will not be final.  As the words of the song say, "Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them."

I miss these boys.  But, I am thankful for the lesson of friendship I learned from them.

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.  ~Ecclesiastes 4:12

In Loving Memory

I am re-posting this from another blog.  We lost Rozsda four years ago.  I still miss him but I remember everything he taught me.

Rozsda: 1999-2009

No Sweat

Dogs are funny animals.  They do a lot of things that seem a little silly to me.  Panting is one of those things that I did not understand for a long time.  But, I learned something about dogs.  Unlike me, they really don't have the ability to sweat.  I can sweat just sitting in a chair doing nothing.  Dogs are different.  While dogs do have sweat glands on their feet, they do not have them on the rest of their body. They rely on panting, a method of breathing out excess heat, to cool down their bodies.  It is necessary for their survival.

Whenever I am in hot situations (literally or figuratively), I often sweat it out.  I get drenched.  Even when wearing an undershirt, my sweat stains can soak through.  Yeah, I know, it is not a pretty mental picture, is it?

So, what do I do?  I think I can take a lesson from my dogs and also from deer.  Consider what the psalmist says:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  Psalm 42:1

Instead of sweating it out, I can find relief in God.  Jesus said that He is the Living Water.  If I will pant after Him, instead of worrying and sweating over my calamity, I can find my soul can find rest.  No sweat.

Shake It Off

When something gets on my dogs (water, bugs, etc.), they will often shake in order to get it off.  It is funny to watch a dog shake.  It generally starts with their head, moves to their midsection, and ends with their tail.  Dozsar was shaking off something when I snapped this picture.

Wings

I know.  This is not a picture of a dog.  So, I guess this post can be called "Feathery Words" or something like that.  But, my dogs are mentioned in the story so that is how I will justify this post on "Pawsitive Words."

I took this picture just about a year ago.  We have since moved from this location.  But, I posted the following story on another blog.  Due to the timing, and the events of today, I thought I would re-post it here.  My daughter is getting married today.  In a few hours, I will give her away.  No matter how much you hear, read, or plan, nothing prepares a dad for this day.  It is bittersweet and hard to process.  Nevertheless, it is a part of life and it is necessary for our children to eventually leave the nest.  We just pray that we have done our part and trust their destiny to God.  This time, she is ready to fly. 

Here is the story:

Education

I love it when I say something to my dogs and, although they do not understand, they try hard to figure out what I want.  It usually involves a tilt of their head, the raising of their ears, and their complete, undivided attention.

I have discovered that if I want to train my dogs, I need to involve them.  I, of course, give verbal commands.  I have have to tell them what I want.  But, that is not enough.  They have no idea what the words mean.  So, I also have to show them what I want.  When I combine the verbal command with an associated action, it is easier for them to make the connection.  It often takes a lot of repetition.  However, the best way is to combine all these things and involve the dog.  If I want him to sit, I give the command, gently push his back end down until he sits, and then praise him when he does it.  Doing all these things, and doing it often, will teach the dog to do what I command.  And, I have discovered, that my dogs really desire to be obedient.  They want to do what I command, but they need to be taught.

The same is true with our children.  I feel like I am always telling my kids what to do.  Do this.  Do that.  Don't do this.  Don't do that.  When they forget, I get upset.  Didn't I tell them what I wanted?  Yes, but they forgot.  So, what should I do?  I should teach them, I should involve them.  This is true in life and in the church.

We sometimes think kids are too young to participate in church.  We tell them about the Lord.  We tell them how they should live their lives.  Unfortunately, I am not sure we really teach them.  I am not sure we really involve them.  I wonder if that is why we see a great falling away of our children when they are old enough to make their own decisions.  We allow our kids to play during church.  We allow them to be entertained by other things.  I know the attention span at different ages (and different kids) varies.  But, I still think we can do a better job.  I have heard our pastor say that kids are the church tomorrow, but they are also the church today.

If we really mean it, let's tell them, teach them, and involve them - today!

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  ~Deuteronomy 11:19

Deeper

My dogs love to dig.  It seems to go in phases, but I can routinely go out in my backyard and find places where they have dug.  If I am not careful, it is easy to twist my ankle in one of the holes!  I do not know why they dig, but there is obviously something below the surface that has captivated their attention and desire to find it.  What is on the surface is not good enough.  They want to go deeper.  My yard is proof of this.

I find myself desiring the same things, particularly in my relationship with Christ.  I have a desire to go deeper.  I have a desire to know Him more.  This is a good thing.  It is a great thing.  But, as I really examine myself, I realize not only do I need to go deeper in Him but I need to allow Him to go deeper in me.

Our theme at Youth Camp last year was "Going Deep."  I had the opportunity to preach one night at camp.  I took the theme and added a twist.  We can go deep all we want.  But, if we do not yield ourselves to the Lord and give Him access to the deepest parts of our heart, we are gaining little.  While this post is a bit longer than most, I thought it was important enough to post my notes on this topic.  Here it is.

Love

One thing I have noticed about our dogs is that they seem to love unconditionally.  I can be gone 5 minutes or 5 weeks.  Either way, when I return, they are happy to see me.  Even though we have been separated, they still love me and do not forget about me.  When they see me, they will jump on me, wag their tail, and sometimes will even bark.  Believe me, I don't get that kind of response from people - which, as I think about it, might be a good thing.  Dozsar even likes to get up in my face and nibble my nose.  I do not understand it, but it is his way of showing his affection.

I recently studied the first and second chapters of 1 Thessalonians.  In all of Paul's writings, his love for the church is evident.  Consider what Paul said:

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.  ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:17

Even though Paul could not physically be with them, he held them close in his heart.  And, he fervently worked and made plans to see them just as soon as it was practical and possible.  His love was not mere sentiment or often repeated words.  No, his love was manifested by his oft-repeated deeds.

Love is action.  It is shown.  It endures.  Even when separated by time and space, love endures.  Paul demonstrated it.  My dogs understand it.  When will I learn?

Thirsty

It was nearly 100 degrees the other day.  Dozsar, my vizsla, was thirsty.  As soon as I placed the bowl of water in front of him, he immediately lapped it up.  He did it so quickly, the water he so fervently craved poured from his mouth in a mixed stream of water and doggy drool.  He, of course, had to come over and give me a wet, sloppy kiss right afterward.  But, that is another story.

Dozsar had a craving - a thirst - that only water could satisfy.  It is a basic need of animals and humans.  The problem is, once that thirst is satisfied, it will eventually come back.  The constant need for water is crucial to survival.

The same is true in the spiritual realm.  We have different cravings.  We have all kinds of thirst.  Unfortunately, we try to satisfy them with the things of the world.  While it seems refreshing and satisfies for a while, the thirst comes back.  There is a longing, but nothing ever seems to completely satisfy.  Yet, we continue in our quest to quench that desperate longing in our hearts.

Jesus told the woman at the well (John 4) that He could give her water that would completely satisfy - she would never thirst again.  After revealing things about her that a complete stranger could not have known, she perceived that there was something different about Jesus.  Her spiritual thirst was quenched by Him and so she immediately went to tell others.  As soon as they heard, other people were intrigued and had to come to hear Jesus for themselves.

That tells me something.  While we can share all that Jesus has done for us, our experience with the Lord can not satisfy the thirst of others.  They must come and drink themselves.  As much as we want, we can not make decisions for our friends, family, and coworkers.  We can (and must) share our experiences, but they must drink for themselves.  Until they do, they will continue to have a longing that they will try to fill with the things of this world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  But, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.

What are you drooling for?

Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  ~Matthew 5:6

Reality

I snapped this picture of Oscar the other day.  His eyes were closed.  I was reminded of our kids growing up.  Sometimes, they would close their eyes and think that we couldn't see them because their eyes were closed.  If they couldn't see, we couldn't either, I guess.  I suppose that makes sense to children.  But, as adults, we laugh and think it is cute.

However, I think we sometimes do the same thing.  We want to close our eyes to the reality around us.  We think if we ignore them, life's problems, challenges, and games will just disappear.  We open our eyes and realize life is still right there staring us in the face.  I have been guilty of this.

The trick is learning to see with more than just our eyes.  What we need is to ask the Lord to open the eyes of our heart so we can go beyond what we see.  We walk by faith, not by sight, but we can not be oblivious to the reality around us.

King David closed his eyes to reality.  He tried to live in a fantasy world that involved his sin.  He literally destroyed lives in process, including the child that was conceived in his sin.  When the Prophet Nathan confronted David, he finally opened his eyes.  But, the damage was done.  Sin, while it can be forgiven, comes with consequences.  Therefore, we need to walk through this life with our eyes wide open - naturally and spiritually.

Read Psalm 51.  David opened both his natural and spiritual eyes and saw his sin.  He truly repented before God.  God forgave him, but he still had to live with the destruction he caused in the lives of others.  Tragic, but that is real life.  Open your eyes, before it is too late.  God's eyes are open.  He sees (see verse 4).  If it is too late, follow the example of David.  After all, he was a man after God's own heart.

 1 Have ^amercy upon me, O God, according to thy ^blovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies ^cblot out my ^dtransgressions.

 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and ^acleanse me from my sin.

 3 For I ^aacknowledge my transgressions: and my ^bsin is ever before me.

 4 Against thee, thee only, have I ^asinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be ^bjustified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother ^aconceive me.

 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

 7 Purge me with ^ahyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

 10 Create in me a ^aclean heart, O God; and ^brenew a right spirit within me.

 11 Cast me not away from thy ^apresence; and take not thy ^bholy spirit from me.

 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be ^aconverted unto thee.

 14 ^aDeliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

 16 For thou desirest not ^asacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

 17 The ^asacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a ^bcontrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

 18 Do good in thy good ^apleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Restoration

While studying the 23rd Psalm, I found myself a little confused with Verse 3.  David was using the powerful imagery of the Shepherd and sheep.  However, he seems to get a little off track in the third verse as he talks about restoration.  But, as I studied this further, I came across the following information about sheep:

Cast(upside-down sheep)
If you ever see one of your sheep laying upside down, run as fast as you can to flip them right again.  If sheep are stuck laying on their back, they cannot expel gas from their rumen, and their lungs will eventually be crushed, leading them to die of suffocation. This can happen to ANY sheep of ANY age.  Rams, ewes, wethers...it doesn't matter.  Here are times when ewes are more likely to be cast: when they have a large fleece that is wet, when they are pregnant.  Once flipped right again, the sheep will begin to burp and pass gas.  It may take them some time to feel right again, so you may want to separate them from the flock and take extra care for them.

Is it possible that David is using the thought of restoration like upside-down sheep?  The word restoration in the Hebrew literally means to be put in right standing.  In order to survive and thrive, the sheep must be put in right standing so he can walk the paths before him.  Isn't that the same with us?

Sklyer, the dog pictured above, has been gone about a year now.  We miss him dearly.  As I thought about upside-down sheep, I thought of him.  Sklyer was a bit overweight for his size.  At times, when he would lay down, his center of gravity would shift so that he would have trouble getting up.  We would laugh at him.  I feel a little bad about that now that he is gone.

You know, though, I'm sometimes the same way (naturally and spiritually).  You probably are, too.  Sometimes, our center of gravity shifts and we find ourselves in an awkward situation - unable to help ourselves.  Sometimes it is due to our own doing; sometimes it just happens in life.  Nevertheless, we need the Shepherd to put us in right standing because we can't do it ourselves.  Left alone, we will die.  But, when the Shepherd restores us, we can then follow Him down the paths of righteousness.  Not for our sake (our glory), but for His.

I miss you, Skyler.  I miss helping you get up in the mornings off your pillow.  Thanks for teaching me a valuable lesson that came to mind as I studied Psalm 23:3.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  ~Psalm 23:3 

Light

I have noticed something about my dogs.  Whenever they are indoors, they will seek out the sunbeams streaming through the windows, no matter the season.  They love to lay down (or sometimes just sit) and bask in the light.  Some creatures scatter from the light.  We all know what cockroaches do when exposed to the light.  They scatter.  However, my dogs are drawn to it.  They love the comfort, warmth, and peace they find in the light.

Let's no longer walk in darkness, for we have been called from darkness into His marvelous light!

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  ~ 1 Peter 2:9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  ~ 1 John 1:7