I have proof that if you pray for God to change your heart, he will.
Some of you don't know that I am not a dog person... at all. Pets just aren't my thing. It probably has something to do with all the animals I helped take care of as a kid through a great program called 4-H. If you sell enough of your sweet little piggies for someone else to eat, you eventually get to the place that animals are for food, not fun. I'm not complaining, just speculating about one possible reason I'm not a pet person.
My husband, however, is a dog person... for sure. He's great at training them, taking care of them, and loves to play with them. I've tried several times in our marriage to give him the opportunity to enjoy a dog. Each time I was reminded in different ways just how much I hated pets...in my house...in my schedule...in my way.
In the last few years, I was very aware that I was making all five of my family members very sad. The kids would pathetically talk about their desire for a pet. Chad never bugged me about it, but I knew he wanted a dog. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I prayed that God would change my heart and help me like dogs. I prayed this prayer often. It may sound silly to some of you, but I really wanted to be able to give them this gift. My guilt at that time was not overriding my selfishness.
However, one day I had the realization that I love my family more than I hate dogs. Sounds like a duh statement, but it truly made a difference. Hence, Jasper. He is our obnoxiously loud stubborn sausage like beagle. One day, I accidentally called him sweetie. Kyle, Carah, and Chad heard the mistake and I will never ever live it down. The nickname has stuck. He's my sweetie Jasper.
Chad had a habit of perusing Craiglist's pet pages. He talked about how Jasper needed a friend. Blah, blah, blah. No, no, no.
Until....
Last Friday...
And now...
I have two sweeties...
Sweetie Jasper AND Sweet Daphne
God really did change my heart, but not for my sake, but for my family that is so happy with our doggies. Here's a little secret, I really do like my two sweeties.
12 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?
Note of clarification: I'm still not a pet person. I do not like other people's pets. Sorry if that offends you. Just keepin' it real! :)
Oh my goodness! You have 2 sweeties now? Good for you Angel :)
Your new sweetie is very cute. I might even like this one... Not to be mean me and Jasper just don't mix he is cute but not my type. But this one is pretty adorable.
~Nicky
oh my goodness.....look at that sweet little thing! so cute!
kelly
You don't like Lili?? I'M SO OFFENDED! ;) It's ok, she doesn't like other people either.
Well, I'm terribly convicted. I guess I should start praying. : ) Austin said that all he wanted for his birthday was a dog. Ugggggg. So not into pets. I'd rather adopt 10 more children than a dog. : )
I'm not a pet person either. I'd like to like pets, but then I think about the practicality of having one. Not practical. Cute, yeah. Fun, I guess it could be. But I can find cute, fun and connection with something other than a pet. Would I have a pet because of ppl I love, yeah. Well... except for a cat. The only way that would happen is if God healed me of cat allergies.
You don't like other people's pets except for Roscoe. Right, Angel? Isn't that what you meant?
Tyra, don't feel convicted. My kids are older and you are in the middle of a wonderful major life transition. The last thing you need is a dog!
God really can work miracles. :) The new one looks really cute!
"sausage like" cracked me up!
I don't like other people's pets very much, but I do love Jasper! <3
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