Here We Go Again...

Sometimes I want to slap myself.  Like, really slap myself upside the head and ask, "what were you thinking?"

What have I done this time?

Pray.  That's what I did.

There's a whole slew of things I've prayed for and God has answered far more abundantly than I could have ever asked or imagined.

This goes both ways.

For example, when I replied to the Lord's prompting with "send me, I'll go (for 6 months to a year)," I wound up with 2 years, 8 months, and still counting.  Lesson number one... don't put God in a box.

God also answered my prayers in where I'm living and serving now, so far more abundantly than I ever thought possible.  Pretty awesome.

Then, you all know how my fervent prayer for protection last year turned out.  I got one ferocious canine that wants to tear you limb from limb, but also enjoys affection and a playful game of fetch.

As you may recall from my last post, I jokingly inserted a prayer to God that He not bring me another dog now that I'm praying for protection once more...

Well, here we go again!

A couple months back, when Lucas had just discovered how easy it is to jump the walls to scout the land and socialize with other dogs, I prayed, "Lord, if you want me to get another dog to keep Lucas company, I'll do it... but You have to bring it to me, I'm not going looking for it."

You'd really think I'd have learned by now to be careful with my prayer requests... but truly, I haven't regretted a single one.

I know what you're thinking... "Lauren, are you serious? You can't even control the crazy dog you already have, how are you going to take on another?"

To be fair, I only share about his crazy antics.  Let me write some positive things about Lucas for a change.

• He responds to the commands sit, shake, down, and stay... about 90% of the time

• He knows that he is NOT to touch his food until I give him the signal to start eating

• His incessant barking through the night has decreased significantly (I strongly believe that's because I started praying that he only barks when necessary); and

• He plays fetch (though we're still working on release)

When I return in September, I have plans to start training Lucas with a good lead.  I know this requires consistency, and to be honest, I think that's a big reason why I hadn't started with him yet.

A friend of mine at bible study put it ever-so-kindly that if I put the same discipline into training Lucas as I do in spending time with the Lord and reading the bible, then Lucas would submit in complete obedience.  

Ouch... that stung a bit.

Here I am discussing how the majority of problems in this country stem from a lack of good stewardship, when I, myself, am being a poor steward over the animal God has given me. 

Feeding him, loving him, and providing shelter for him is not enough.  I'm called to practice authority over this creature and discipline him.  

My friends tease me about the tone I use when I tell him "come" (you'd think I'm saying "run away!") and I often feel hopeless as to whether he will ever see me as pack leader.  They even encouraged me that I should start a morning ritual of looking at myself in the mirror and saying, "I'm a Pitbull leader... hear me growl!"  Thing is, I have to believe it myself.

Once we work a little with a lead, I'm going to start taking Lucas running with me to burn some energy.  I have to fight my fear of being dragged like the last time we went running.  I guess that was payback for the first time where I was dragging him as a puppy!  Literally, passersby were laughing at his stubbornness... or maybe at my lack of authority over a puppy?

Still think I'm crazy?  

It's ok... my neighbors will think so, too.   They probably already think I'm a little strange.  Just the other day, I was playing tug-of-war with my yard.  You read that correctly.  I was pulling up weeds and, by golly, I lost!  I'm sure it was a sight to see... there's that crazy white girl pulling at the grass again.

Anyways, are you ready for me to finish the story? 

While lifting up a prayer request at bible study for Lucas' obedience and the healing of his back leg,  it was suggested that I get him a friend. I shared how I've spoken with the Lord concerning this before.  If that was His will, I'd do it, but I was a bit reluctant because my hands are already full with the one I have. 

      Lucas' separation anxiety over me leaving him led him to chase my car into another dog's territory. 

This was when one of the ladies shared how she's still looking for a home for a 12 week-old puppy that she's been nursing back to health.  She told me that the dog is a female and wont get much bigger than a chihuahua, but that she holds her own among the 10 other full-grown dogs on the property... that is saying a lot when 2 of the dogs are a Rottweiler and a Great Dane.  

Oh, and are you ready for this?  Her name just so happens to be "Princesita"... Little Princess.    

Yea, I had another one of those "Ok, God... what are you up to?!" moments.  I can't even begin to tell you how many of those I've had in the last few months... no, make that years. 

God has told me to be a Lady-in-waiting in raising up His princesses here and it would be just like Him to give me a little princess of my own.

I agreed to go check her out.  The three of us ladies went to meet Princesita after bible study on Wednesday... and it was love a first sight. 

How precious is that face? 

I kept saying out loud, "Darnit... ugh....really?...ugh.... darnit..." as I knew in my heart God wanted me to adopt her.

Now that Rottweiler is one ferocious pooch.  

My friend has agreed to keep her until I return in September which is a tremendous blessing.  I can't say I didn't see this coming, especially since I had prayed, "...not my will, but Your's be done."

I'm excited for Lucas.  I believe the majority of his problems stem from a lack of exercise and loneliness, and I don't believe The Lord would bring us another dog if she wouldn't play with him.  Princesita won't be much of a guard dog, but she will hopefully provide Lucas with the companionship he craves. 

Princesita's rescue has left her in a stint to help her leg set properly

Our little family is growing.  Please rebuke me if I ever think about getting a cat.  THAT will be the day I've gone too far... go ahead and sign me up for a psychiatric evaluation while you're at it.

Looks like I'm adding one more princess to the training list!

She's a feisty one!

Maybe Lucas wont be so eager to jump in my car whenever I leave now!