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Look at this precious picture of a little girl loving on a horse and the horse loving on her. A moment of peace, kindness and understanding. So beautiful. Our Facebook pages are filled with pictures and videos of kids and puppies or kitties, and pets who pass away and the anguish that causes their families. Experts have seen the importance of letting dogs come to senior assistant living places, and there are service dogs for anything from blindness, deafness, autism, and even “anxiety dogs.”
Our daughter and son-in-law are unable to have children, so they adopted a furbaby and he fills their arms. His name is Braxton and he is a 100 pound blonde lab retriever. They have trained him well, care for him as they would a human child and the love they show him is extraordinary. When they are sad, he is sad. When they are sick, he doesn’t leave their side. He loves to sleep with them and cuddle and needs lots of attention. He is their “baby” and our granddog. In my eyes, he really can do no wrong!
I used to be very afraid of dogs because I was bitten when I was young. If you were standing next to me and a dog approached, I would probably have grabbed your arm, swung you around, and hidden behind you as I put you between me and the dog. Seriously! It was horrible! Our granddog changed all that in a short amount of time. We now have a very special bond and I am grateful that I am no longer afraid of pets. Now, iguanas, lizards, geckos and snakes, are a different story!
Pets can soothe the soul of a hurting child like nothing else. They will lick their tears away, snuggle, let the child do most anything to hold them closer and listen to them by the hour. They will even allow the child to lie all over them! It is so precious to watch. Truth be told, they will do the same for adult pet owners too, right?
This Tuesday, July 25, our expert guest will be author Kim Meeder. She is the owner of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Central Oregon, where they bring damaged children to the ranch to be with rescued abused horses. The connection between the kids and the horses is spectacular and Kim’s team also teach these children about the love of our Lord Jesus. It truly is an incredible ministry. She will share her compelling story or being raised in a traumatic family and how she has used that to minister to hurting children around this country in such a unique way. Please join us at 2-3pm on Tuesday at www.toginet.com. You may also listen to the podcast later at www.toginet.com/shows/chainednomore.
Pets can lessen loneliness, fear, anxiety, pain, and abandonment issues in such a special way, but remember, the Lord God can too. “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7