It’s crazy to think that one of the most lovable members of my family has been neglected on this blog for so long, as my last post recapping his life was in 2015 here! I really believe he has been a blessing from God for all of us, our sweet labrador, Willy. The years have brought with it lots of retrieved geese as he is a hunting dog, lots of cuddles, some annoying quirks (if anyone happens to know why dogs bark at their food, please do share), but most of all, so many memories and fun. I thought it was time for me to dedicate another post to him, especially because I’ve had a draft about one terrifying moment that happened a couple years ago. Overall, the years have fell into a predictable sort of enjoyable routine, but there was one time that almost brought all of that to a halt. First, here are some of my favorite pictures I’ve taken of him since that last post:
It was the most terrible, traumatizing, and heart-wrenching moment of my life: watching my dog almost die. The boys had been putting decoys out for snow geese in the spring, and there was an open patch of water on our neighbor’s pond, where they were setting up. Willy had to be watched all day because of that, but all it took was a split second of them throwing out a decoy in the water, instinctively causing Willy to take off.
We watched him swim in the single open circle of water for about a half hour, putting his paws up on the ice yet unable to lurch himself up, and moaning groans of anxiety, exhaustion, and pain. Nothing else shows you what’s important in life as much as life or death matters. Of course I know God would’ve taken care of my dog if worse came to worse, but the thought of that ripped my heart out. I know he’s an animal, but he truly is a precious gift I can’t imagine life without. I don’t want to have to do that.
When firefighters arrived, one of them carried him up to the house because he was so weak, but by the end of the night he was back to his joyful self. I was so thankful for their help and his recovery, though still shaken up from everything. This happened at a time when my anxiety was really bad, and that scenario didn’t help.
Life can change just like that, and that can be a pretty terrifying thought with anxiety. When I was struggling, a thought like that was the last thing I wanted to entertain. However, if there is one thing living with my dog has taught me, it’s to enjoy the little moments and don’t worry so much about how life can change like that. I think, truly, that is what God wants from us. It’s too easy when something like that happens to think, with terrible things altering your life in a second, why shouldn’t I have anxiety? But when we know we live in a world that’s reeling and shows us all the time how out of control we are, that’s when we need to step back and be reminded that we were never meant to have that control, and fighting for that is what brings about anxiety. It’s time to step back, let God be God, and enjoy this moment, day by day. That’s all that is ever guaranteed, and to be honest, that is still something that can stir anxiety within me, but I’ve learned that’s when you’re in the perfect spot for surrender. When your heart is running rampant, when you don’t see that hope for the future, when you know all your attempts are futile, you know that’s when something has to change. And that is where God steps in.
That is a little bit of a heavy ending to a lighthearted post about my dog, but I wanted to include it because amidst all the happiness of life we show to the world, many of us are struggling with those inner fears, and I hope this can help guide you to take a step closer to being more purposeful about surrendering your life to God. I’m so thankful I still have my dog with me, and that is what I have to remember when my heart wants to think years down the line about how life will turn out. Life is happening now, and the only way to embrace it is to live in the now and not worry about how things will turn out so much. With that being said, I can’t wait for warmer days to get outside with my dog! That is one of my favorite ways to relax, enjoy God’s creation, and renew my mind. Stay tuned for more posts about Willy!
