Three weeks ago my roommate found this little dog abandoned in a nearby alleyway. His ribs were showing and he was scared. She stopped her car and got out to see if the dog would come to her. Instead, he crawled under her car. That’s when she called me.
She says I know dog talk and animals will come to me, so I got some dog food and water and off I went. We both sat down on the cement in the alleyway and talked to him quietly and offered him the nourishment. He would take a little drink and a bite of food, then run back a ways, tail between his legs, and just look at us.
Finally after a half an hour of coaxing, he still wouldn’t come, so we called the animal control because we didn’t know what else to do. But when we started toward our cars, the little guy sensed it was his last chance and he ran over to be petted. I put him in the front seat of my car and he snuggled up under my arm.
About that time a guy came down the alley. We told him what happened, that we couldn’t keep him because of our aging cat. He said his landlady recently lost her dog and was looking for another. Tony thought our little alley dog would be perfect so we made the arrangements in case we didn’t find the real owner.
Forty signs and a week later and no one called, so we called Tony and took the little one over. He lasted one night and we got a phone call saying they couldn’t keep him. Seems the landlady had attack birds. In reality they were territorial parrots and wanted nothing to do with a little dog. So back he came to our house. We called some friends associated with dog rescue groups and they found two people who really want the little guy.
Now this is the third week we’ve been taking care of him and now he’s got a purple collar, some toys and a name, Peanuts. He also loves to eat and is filling out nicely. We took him to a nearby vet and found out that Peanuts has his peanuts, so now we’re waiting to see about getting him fixed before he gets his new home. Even though we can’t keep him we just couldn’t leave him in that alleyway. We had to take care of him and find the best home for him.
This experience is reminding me of the story Jesus told about the lost lamb.
Luke 15:3-7 “And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
God really loves every single one of us and doesn’t want anyone left alone and afraid. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).
We had compassion on this little dog, to look after him and make sure he gets a good home. How much more compassion does God have for us and for those who He finds in the alleys of life, emaciated and scared and just looking for the right home.
Love, Carolyn
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