My opinion about caging a dog outside is fine while we are gone from home, because it allows them to relieve their bladder and intestines when needed. However, sometimes people constantly keep their dog outside and forget that they need nurturing, which is an important ingredient in their life.
A scratch behind the ear, a belly rub, or just sleeping at our feet makes a dog so happy and content. We may feel diligent because we give an outside pet their food, water, and a regular treat or chew toy, but they need physical and emotional attention from us too.
Receiving times of play outside is critical for dogs, because it gives them opportunities for a change of scenery, getting needed exercise, and stimulation for their senses through a variety in their life. However, keeping them caged outside without human contact is, in my opinion, simply unnecessary.
Pets are our gift from God. Our cat Calique is getting more and more gray hair in her ears, face, and head...harbingers of what lies ahead for us. This breaks my heart after 18 whole years with her constant attention and company, but I am enjoying every moment I have with her now and cherishing the memories of her "friendship" with me and nurture of me during our many years together.
My husband calls to her every night when he goes to bed, saying, "Callie, come say night-night to Daddy" and she RUNS as fast as her arthritic legs will move and jumps up on the stool and then the bed to snuggle him to sleep. She is slowing down, like I am with age, but she still has daily spurts of playing like a kitten with the cat toys scattered all over our house.
She loves small hidey-holes now too, which is interesting - corners of each room, under furniture, etc. But her favorite place is on the back of the love seat, with us sitting in the chair with her. If we are not there with her, she screams for us to “come NOW”. What a diva!!!! We love her so much, and I am so grateful to God for giving her and Christina, our younger cat, to us.
Appreciating our pet’s place in our life helps to nurture our soul – our thoughts and emotions. Taking them for granted, looking at them as an unwanted detail in our life, or neglecting them robs us of the love they have for us. If we are too busy or uninterested in them, surrendering them to a rescue for adoption by a loving person or family is the better choice for their sake.
Prayer:
Father God, help us to better care for the pets that You give us in our life. Remind us that they are not just dumb animals without feelings and emotional needs. They do not have a spirit, but their soul is just as alive as their body. As their caretakers, we receive Your charge to care for all their needs (Proverbs 12:10). We want to be good stewards of Your gifts and to praise You for them.
Thank You for the abundance of Your provision for us in every area of our life. Your love, generosity and grace know no bounds. We can never praise You enough for all Your many gifts to us each and every day of our life. Our worship of You is not about habits we cultivate, but about our real, thriving, intimate relationship with You. We praise You, and we thank You for each gift You bring our way.
Thought for the Day:
At times, we get so caught up in the details of our life that we do not even realize that God is providing us with a special blessing; we take Him for granted and neglect our relationship with Him unless we take time to walk in His Spirit, and appreciate His constant gifts and His glory that is so evident in His creation.
- Romans 1:20; Ephesians 1:3-4
