ALL Dogs Have Rights

“Livy, war really is very, very bad…but if I was called up again, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I’m willing to be the first to serve my country…I would give my life for this country. But Livy…don’t you know, in some countries, they eat dog. You got to watch out for what countries you choose to visit.”
“That’s the way I feel about it. Grandpa…I’m patriotic too, I want to serve. I’m so proud of you…if it weren’t for dogs like you, who knows where I’d be right now. You went to war so I might be able to enjoy this good life…as I know it. I have rights and I still have rights because of you. Tiger, you risked your life for me and I’m so grateful…I have rights and you protected them…thank you. When I grow up, I want to able to say, I served my country. I want to be remembered as serving and doing my share for my fellow countryman.”
“Little guy…let me find my boots…its getting a little too deep in here. You are beginning to sound like one of those politicians who know nothing about war…but they want to make the rules.”
I got to admit, I was a little annoyed with that comment. Why shouldn’t I be proud of someone I looked up to? What’s wrong with giving a little praise? What’s wrong with accepting a little praise? Somebody’s got a lot of explaining to do.
“Grandpa, I have only been in this world for a little while…but, I believe I need a role model, like you. I need someone to look up to. You have done so many great things…saved lives and served your country. I want to be like you when I get older.”
“That is just it, Grandpa…I don’t know what I’m going to be. God hasn’t told me yet.”
Tiger’s eye brows suddenly went up at my last statement. He stared at me for a long as if debating how he was going to carry on with this discussion.
“What on earth do you know about God? I’ve never heard a dog talk about God.”
“Why is that…don’t you believe in God?”
“There you go with the feaking “why” word again.”
Tiger was clearly on the defensive, found himself backed into a corner but felt forced to answer or the discussion was headed to bad effect on the friendship. “Don’t answer with a question…now, what do you know about God.”
“Ever since I was a pup, Mom makes sure that when I home alone, I don’t feel alone. She leaves the television on. Dad normally leaves the football or basketball game on but Mom always leaves a ministry on like Jesse Duplantis, Joel Olsteen or TA Jakes, Kenneth Copeland or Joyce Meyers. Believe me, I’m very well prayed up. What about you…do you believe in God?”
“I…let me see…you know…,” Tiger was almost lost for words. “Kid…okay…I don’t know much about God.” Tiger looked sad and embarrassed. “I don’t even know for sure if God really applies to dogs…isn’t that just for people.”
“That’s not what I have been hearing… for the last five years,” I said as I started formulating how I wanted this discussion to proceed.
“Look, Grandpa…when I started listening to pastors explain the about the Bible, none of them say that their message is just meant for people. In fact, the Bible even asks a question whether animals go back to the ground. “Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:21)
I paused a moment to see how Tiger was taking this in and then I continued.
“Listen to this logic…God made everything on earth to include all life and that includes dogs. God loves everything he made, so that includes dogs and that includes me. So if God loves everything he made on earth, why wouldn’t he want all his creations to enjoy the wonderful eternal life he promised? Sure I’m a little confused, but I’m learning…I’m seeking understanding…I have questions…I just don’t know where to find the answers….who will teach me.”
Tiger thought about it for a second and then spoke in a soft tone, showing little confidence. “So if God made everything, where is he?”
That question caught me a little off guard…I didn’t know how to answer the question. I had never seen God nor had He ever spoken to me. I knew I had to be quick on my feet or I would lose Tiger’s attention.
“Grandpa, when you went to the war…didn’t you see soldiers praying?”
“Yeah, all the soldiers over there prayed at one time or another…they were scared. But I never saw a dog pray. The soldiers prayed… I just thought it was something they did and didn’t think that much of it.”
“You mean... you didn’t pray when you were in danger, over there…you don’t pray now…how do you expect God to take care of you?” I asked in low tone of voice and then looked at the ground in disappointment.
I suddenly realized that Tiger really didn’t know that much about God. I know he said he didn’t but I didn’t take him seriously…I assumed everyone knew about God. God created this world, God owns everything in this world…how one not know God. Maybe his Mom didn’t allow him to watch TV and that could be good or bad. But as I mentioned before, there is stuff on TV, nobody should be watching. I didn’t want to make Tiger angry so I decided to change the subject. I thought if I went back the subject on heroes, our discussion would back in his comfort zone.