Friday, July 31, 2009

Glad To Be Home















While we were on vacation, our dog spent a week at a kennel. When we picked him up on Sunday, he not only smelled, but he was wet, too. The toy we had left with him was soaking wet and smelled like urine. I immediately threw the toy in the dumpster at the kennel.
We took Otto home and ended up bathing him twice. He smelled a lot better, but he just looked down trodden. He wasn't our upbeat, feisty dog. He acted as though a week away from home had beaten him down.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear!"

(Norm from the TV show Cheers.)

On Monday, he still seemed depressed. However, since Tuesday, Otto has been glued to us and has been his happy self again. At one point as I was sitting in a chair, he sat leaning up against me, looking at me adoringly and wagging his tail. It was during this time that I thought to myself one day I will be sitting at Jesus' feet looking at Him the same way.

The Bible tells us that we're in this world but not of this world. Heaven is our true home. After suffering and going through the trials of this world, we will then be at the feet of our Master, smiling up at Him and feeling oh so glad to be home.

"There's no place like home!"




Note: My husband did call the kennel on Monday to complain about the condition in which Otto was returned to us. The manager said they had received another complaint as well, and he was trying to find out what happened between Saturday night and Sunday. He offered to refund our money for one night and to give us a tour of their facility. My husband declined both offers. We've never had a problem there before, but we don't intend to leave Otto there again.

12 comments:

Andrea said...

Poor Otto! Thank GOD you guys came home and rescued him. Maybe GOD will make a way for Otto to travel with you guys next time.
Blessings, andrea

Beth Herring said...

Poor little doggy! That is so sad. Glad you are home.

Heart2Heart said...

Leslie,

So glad that Otto isn't harboring any resentment by being at the kennels. I am so glad that you posted that your hubby called them to complain.

I would have been so furious! I know I need to calm down but your doggie is just so cute!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

Oh no what an awful way to discover your beloved pet in a kennel!! Your hubby was so right to complain! It is lovely that he was so pleased to see you and now he is home where he belongs!

He is lovely!
Collette xxx

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

Oh what a terrible state to find your dog in when you went to collect him! Quite right for complaining. Glad you are all home together where you belong!
Love Collette xxx

Tea with Tiffany said...

I'm sorry to hear about the way your dog responding to being treated. And and I thankful you got him clean again and happy to be home.

Yep, one day will be home too. Forever.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Leslie: I nearly cried when I read this, but your analogy was so true.
I can't wait to sit at my Master's feet and thank Him for rescuing me from the Kennels of this world!
Blessings,
Jen

momstheword said...

I'm glad your hubby complained. They need to know because the animals can't speak up.

Lovely post. I look forward to one day seeing our Savior!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

that's awful about picking Otto up in that condition. I would have been so mad. But it's nice to hear your family's love 'restored' him. Love and gentleness. Sarah

Debra Kaye said...

Hi Leslie...I'm a friend of Andrea's and read her post and wanted to stop by and say "Hello" and nice to meet ya!

Glad Otto is ok...hurts the heart to think of the what if scenarios.

Blessings to you this day!

Edie said...

I love your analogy. I left my Tobi at a kennel once for a few days and could tell they didn't take good care of her. She doesn't kennel well.

I'm so glad Otto is home and being loved on again.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Great post, Leslie!

I'm looking forward to many more.

Blessings,
Susan :)