Last year Emma, our 12 year old, decided she wanted to be a veterinarian. She lives and breathes animals. Her room is full of books about animals, she teaches animal classes to the kids in the neighborhood complete with slide shows and handouts. She grooms our new dog Maddie every day and when our Miniature Pincher escapes, Emma is the one to call to run down the street and capture him before a car tire turns him into a pancake.
Today she was practicing giving the dog a check up. All she needed was our Fisher Price stethoscope and a dog that would sit still. Apparently Maddie got a clean bill of health.
Anita and I have been best friends for 26 years. When our kids were toddlers we moved next door to each other in a neighborhood that was so "country" I felt I was in, No-where, West Virginia. We had to become friends or live out in this remote place with nobody.
We couldn't be more different from each other - a perfect match.
One of the many things we differ on is our taste in dogs.
She likes big, really big dogs.
The smaller the better for 
me.
We introduced our new puppies to each other last week. I'm sure they'll be best friends too.
(You can tell Anita you saw this - she never reads my blog)
Our dog, Ottawa, died of Lyme's disease last year and the house hasn't been the same since. I still miss his sweet face and we have to sweep under the kitchen table now after every meal. Ottawa was a Miniature Pincher and he was just about perfect.
Lately I've been wanting a new dog, especially since my friend Anita brought home a beautiful brindle colored boxer puppy.
I've been looking at all the breeds to figure out which would be best for our family. I don't like big dogs and I really don't like hairy/shedding. We have lots of kids in and out, so it would have to do well with kids of all ages and not be too fragile.
Anyone have a suggestion?
Our next door neighbors have inherited a dog from one of their relatives and I made the dog's acquaintance yesterday. The little guy is a poodle/cairn terrier mix...which is like putting a caffeine IV in a fools arm. Completely wild with absolutely no sense. The dog was cute and friendly enough, but what intrigued me was the saddle looking thing on his back. His owner explained that he was so hyper that he would literally spin out of control when walked on a lease - flying around, tangling himself, falling over. They bought a "back pack" for him that had pockets on either side to load weights. The weights were enough to keep him walking forward instead of in circles. They had experimented with the weights to find the perfect amount. Too much and his legs went out to the side on a slick floor and too little and he continued his ridiculous gyrations. Kind of like Ritalin for dogs.
I was thinking about the dog and wondered if God uses a similar approach with us. When my two biological daughters were in school I had way too much time and energy on my hands. I worked some, but I could have easily started spinning out of control with so little "weight" on my life. Starting into foster/adoptive care was perfect. I loved the excitement, craziness, places to go and even the work it took to have a big family. God found the perfect balance for my life these 17 years. Although at times I have felt my legs going out to the side He knows how much is enough and picks me up gently when needed. I am hoping someday He finds me capable of walking around without too much extra weight.....maybe if I promise to be real good & quiet! (Actually that sounds completely boring)
