Hi All! Happy THANKSGIVING

[HokeyReligions]

God = Dog

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

OK. So you know that I have declared myself Agnostic for a very long time. I have been going thru something for nearly a month that ended in crisis last Tuesday. I have never been so distraught in my life over this for so long - about 14 years ago went thru something almost identical and prayed and was answered. Anyway, I reached out to all of my friends and co-workers of faith and asked for their prayers (Agnostics don't believe but are open to the fact that they may be wrong - well, I was wrong!)

 

Today - about 10 minutes ago the prayers were answered. Including MY own prayers - yes, I was praying too! I even asked my husband to pray with me each day since Tuesday (was that only 2 days ago?)

 

This is the second time in my life that I have gone thru this with a dog and the prayers were answered. Thru a dog.

 

Yes, now I believe - again. It could only be some kind of divine influence that could work this miracle - again.

 

I had not slept since Monday night. I have had no food since lunch on Tuesday - which consisted of some raw cauliflower and cucumber slices. I have lost four pounds since then! I've lost 62 pounds since June 22 (when hubby had his heart attack)

 

I am actually a little bit hungry now!

 

Before I posted this I indeed closed my eyes and thanked God tremendously for this miracle and for allowing me to see it. I'll keep searching for other answers about God and faith etc. But it could only have been thru God that I ended up with a job at a Chistian company who promotes faith and God (Christian, Jew, and Muslim) Where I could see the behaviors of many people an how they approach God (some I will never agree with - but that is personal choice, not Gods) and actually experience for myself His presence and finally FINALLY recognize it!

 

Had it not been for the crisis on Tuesday, today would not have happened. We have a long battle ahead of us - but we will face it with more strength and power than one can imagine!

 

It is a long story and one which I will write very soon. What an awesome and wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

 

Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to all of you!!! Quankanne - I wish I could just sit and tell you all of this, your insight and responses in the past have truly been inspirational to me and I have kept many and refer to them - I'll go back thru them again - Moose - you too!

__________________

[Moose]

Before I posted this I indeed closed my eyes and thanked God tremendously for this miracle and for allowing me to see it.

I can't wait to hear what God has done!! All of the praise belongs to Him!

 

I don't know what it was, but lately I've felt the urge, or need to pray for everyone on LS, not just you in particular although you, (and a select few), stuck out for some reason.

 

It certainly sounds like this will be a Thanksgiving you'll never forget!!

 

I wait with GREAT anticipation!

 

We love ya HR, mean it!!

[HokeyReligions]

Thank You! Why did I have the urge to say 'Thank You Brother'?! LOL!

 

I can't help but think that the anguish I've felt recently at the loss of this one dog (she's OK now) is somewhat akin to what God must feel (Does God feel like we do? A debate for another time) at the loss of belivers - like I was.

 

How does the song go? ...I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see...

[HokeyReligions]

This may move to the Believers section...

 

 

This is a Thanksgiving story because this specific miracle that had been in the works for a month was recognized on Thanksgiving Day. Actually, it began many decades ago – which demonstrates that it can take a very long time to see or understand some of God’s plans!

 

It was recognized by a former Agnostic. Before I tell the story I want to briefly describe the difference between an Agnostic and an Atheist. An Atheist believes there is no God. An Agnostic believes there is no God – but is open to the possibility that they may be wrong.

 

Here is how it all began….

 

About 15 or so years ago my husband, John, and I rescued a large dog that was tied to a fence in a parking lot. The poor boy couldn’t even lay down! We got him in our car and took him to our vet. He checked out negative for heartworm and other than a gash in his leg, was in good health. He was exhausted and dehydrated a bit, but OK. We left him at the vet overnight and began searching for a new home for him. We already had two of our own in a small apartment, and we sure didn’t want to return him to whoever tied him up!

 

We lucked out the very next day and found someone who was looking to adopt a dog. We picked him up from the vet the next day and he was a changed dog! A good nights seep, food, water and loving attention were all he needed. We paid for his vet care and shots and took him to his new home. I wanted to see his new home and was more than happy with the people who were adopting him. I told them that if it didn’t work out for any reason we would take him back.

 

The next day we got a call that “Joe” had got out of the yard – he figured out how to open their gate! I made some huge banners and posters and we went to the area to put them up. I even left my job early that day because I was so worried and scared.

 

We were just finishing putting the banner on the bottom of a large church sign when John said THERE HE IS! He was running a playing the favorite game of dogs: “ha ha ha – can’t catch me.” Well, we’ve played that game before, John and I, and we knew how to win! We caught Joe and took him back to his home where we helped his new parents to locate and repair the gate latch. Joe lived a happy life – he even got a new playmate a few months later when his folks brought home their own stray!

 

At that time I had been questioning my faith and was growing further and further away. So much just didn’t make any sense or line up with the science that was all around me. Especially with fossil remains which have always fascinated me. However, I saw that banner placement as a sign from God that maybe I was wrong. We wrote a letter to the church and told them about it and then went there ourselves. It seemed right to me. We began attending for a few weeks when we found out that the pastor was retiring because of his health. I had not learned what I needed to learn yet, but I decided to be baptized there - only it was for the wrong reason. I did it as a kind of thank you for finding the dog and because it pleased my husband, who is and has always, been a Christian. It was also the very last baptism the pastor would perform. Full immersion too!

 

The years, as they say, roll by and we moved into our own house. I kept questioning and growing away from God until I finally declared myself Agnostic. I felt that was the most respectful thing to do. My own personal ethics and attitudes have always been in line with Christian principles, but I considered them human qualities only. Yes, I know that to people of faith it’s the same thing because God installed the human qualities!

 

I’ve been involved with various charitable activities for people and animals and will always continue to do that. Those who know me have told me that God is working thru me and that whether I believe or not does not diminish the sincerity of my actions or my personal integrity. I thought that was nice of them to say.

 

About a month ago I was trying to paint my front door. Please know that I am apparently not capable of quality home improvement. I had painted the door a couple of times before, but this time I tried to strip the old paint first. The stripper I used destroyed the plastic frame around the window. I didn’t know it would do that. I also thought I was doing right by sanding and priming before I put the paint on. That didn’t work out too well because I didn’t sand it well enough. While outside my front door struggling I turned and saw two faces looking at me. Pit Bull dogs. Well, one was the other was obviously a mix. I love dogs and am not afraid of them. I’m also cautious. I talked to them, they wagged at me then heard my dogs barking from inside the house and ran off. I got my husband and we went after the two stray dogs – who had made it almost out to the nearest busy street a couple of blocks away. We got them and brought them home. What sweet babies! Both just as friendly and loving and well mannered as little angels! Much better than my own spoiled dogs!

 

I have a spare room in my house so that is where we kept them while we scrambled around getting them some water and getting our dogs put into their room. These two new girls were already housebroken and very friendly. I began making phone calls and sending emails and making Found posters.

 

We knew we couldn’t keep them - we have five already! And we couldn’t mix them with ours because a couple of ours have health and social problems of their own. We said we would keep them thru the weekend then they had to go – somewhere. We tried to find a shelter that would take them but most shelters kill any dog that has Pit Bull in them and don’t even try to adopt them out. Other shelters refused and the ones that were sympathetic were too full. We kept them another week and found a couple who have large acreage in a town about 60 miles from us. They are a sanctuary and keep the dogs they have. Unfortunately, they have 400 dogs who live in fair-sized kennels outside. They have dog houses and are clean, but its not ideal. We brought “Molly” and “Penny” to them and left them there. They would survive, but not have the attention they had before – and they would be strictly outside dogs. I cried all night and John said the next morning “lets go get them – I can’t stand it either” so we did. We made the commitment that we would now have seven dogs. Three of our dogs are old and probably will not live more than a couple more years and that is how we justified it to ourselves.

 

We took the girls to the vet and got them on heartworm and have a spay / microchip appointment in a week. We figured out a rotation schedule so that all the dogs get plenty of time out to play and good quality ‘love’ time with us. They are all happy.

 

It’s been stressful this past week because we are having a new fence put in and some work done on the back of the house, which means that instead of running in the yard we take them for walks except when the contractors left for lunch and then we could let them in the yard. Two days ago, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I was at work and was only supposed to work until noon so I could get home and help with the dog rotations. I had to stay a couple of hours later and when I got home John said he had bad news – Penny got loose. The contractors did not secure the new gate well enough and she got out. John is disabled and I had the car so he went as far as he could search for her but to no avail.

 

I sent out the emails and made the phone calls and went to the printers and spent $100 on posters and made flyers which we placed in mailboxes all around us. I stopped eating and could not sleep. I lost five pounds in two and a half days.

 

Last night we had a storm and the weather turned very cold. I was worried sick and thought I wouldn’t survive this. I love those girls with all my heart. God gave me this love of animals for a reason. I wouldn’t not want to love animals, but there have been so many sleepless nights and heartbreaks through the years of rescuing animals and of being with friends and family through their own grief.

 

I had never lost a dog before – not since Joe and he was found right away. 21 years ago, on our wedding night John and I picked up two stray dogs and we found shelter for them. Get used to it honey!

 

Agnostic that I am, I have been praying and asking others to pray for Penny’s safe return. Because she had not been found yet I was picturing her in one of the many fields and ditches around us, hurt and cold and suffering. It has been more painful than the death because when one dies we have closure and can try to move forward. My life halted totally because I didn’t know where she was and the weather was so bad.

 

Well, last night was horrid and today wasn’t looking any better. We weren’t even going to celebrate Thanksgiving. I was in no shape for it and neither was John. A while ago I had to start walking dogs. I walked our oldest dog first and then came back for Molly. I got just past the neighbors house with her when a car stopped in the road and a young girl jumped out. Her mom got out too and asked me how long I’d had Molly. Guess what! Molly’s real name is Tank! She disappeared about a month ago right about when we found them. I asked if she was with a brown dog and yes – Penny’s real name is Maggie and she had made it back to her home on Tuesday afternoon – before the storm and cold weather. She’s been safe all this time!

 

Tank’s folks were on their way to the store (there is always something last minute on Thanksgiving, isn’t there) so I showed them where I live and I brought Tank back home and told my husband.

 

They will bring Maggie to us this evening. There are some issues that need to be worked out with Maggie, because she scratched the leg of some woman who hates dogs and the woman is suing Maggie’s owner and had Maggie declared a dangerous animal. She is not! We will work together to ensure that Maggie is not destroyed. We are already planning and of that I am not worried. Maggie and Tank are messenger’s of God. And that ties back to my life-long love of animals and being a dog-person in particular!

 

Well, this story is long and it’s just a very first draft! I want to do a better job with it – remember that I’ve had no sleep or food in a very long time!

[Moose]

That was an awesome read Hoke!

 

I know you'll get some much needed rest now, and most importantly......peace!

 

I do hope you post more, I haven't seen you here a whole lot lately and I miss you.....

 

Give the hubby and the rest of your family my best!!

 

See ya Sis!

[quankanne]

I think that your love of animals is your very special charism, and I'm so glad to hear that the girls are fine – just keep asking for His help, and it will be given freely. And don't forget to chat a bit with St. Francis, who'll give some extra prayer power for your furry friends ...

 

hokey, even when you professed to be agnostic, I've always thought you were one of the most faith-filled people I know. You've shared your trials and tribs through the years, yet you still find the strength to stand on your feet. I see that strength as a gift from a God who very much loves and believes in you, though you might not tend to think of it in those terms until something happens with the four-legged babies you love so much! And I'm so glad that things with Molly & Penny have worked out the best way possible – God is good, indeed

 

in the meanwhile, you've been on my mind a lot lately, as I peruse recipes for holiday gift-giving ... I'm gonna be brave and attempt to make your fudge recipe this year (usually, I bake because I suck at pies and candy-making!!!)

 

hugs and Happy Thanksgiving,

q

[HokeyReligions]

You can't possibly as bad at candy making as I am at home improvement!

 

The fudge is easy - you just have to be prepared to stir for a full five minutes!

 

I'm not making any goodies this year - its too tempting and hubby and I still have some weight to lose. Its nice right now that none of my clothes fit! I've had to go to the second hand store to buy a few things, and I've tried to take up some other items, but my jeans are so big on me now that I don't even have to unzip them to get them on and I need a belt to keep them up! Ive gone down three sizes! I'm not going to screw it up this holiday. Hubby is the same way. That heart attack last June was very frightening for both of us!

 

I don't get here to post much anymore - but you & Moose were the first people I thought about when I finally realized I was wrong about God!

 

Funny thing is, I thought if I did someday realize His existence I would be so embarassed to say anything because I was Agnostic for so long - but I'm not.

[quankanne]

embarassing? Nah. More like a sense of homecoming )

 

congrats on the weight loss! On 12-12 I meet with a team from the local bariatrics clinic to discuss lap-band surgery because I think I've finally realized that the diabetes problem is only going to get worse if I don't get things under control. The good news is that one of the priests here in town had the same procedure about six weeks ago, and he said he'd be happy to compare notes or talk with me whenever I need. And thank goodness the VA covers this treatment. I guess it's just getting into the mindset that I'll be radically changing my diet is what takes me aback – no more steak! or hamburgers! Then again, my gallbladder will thank me, lol.

 

so ... does this mean you and hubby will celebrate Christmas in a whole new way? If possible, see if you can find local churches with Advent activities to get involved in - the focus is on the preparation for Christmas and is a really nice way to get into the spirit of things. One fun thing is las posadas, which I highly recommend. Lots of singing and praying and fantastic fellowship. Oh, and food!

[dallas]

Though I'm not particularly faithful at this point, that was a wonderful story.

 

On a somewhat related note, my dog's death made me realize that God clearly loves dogs more than people. Honestly, I couldn't even be sad about it. It was the most perfect death any creature could ever hope for.

[HokeyReligions]

Awe, dallas

 

Its so sad to lose a loved one - any loved one. What I try to do is to think of the good life I helped provide and that its just the natural way to go.

 

When I lost my mom last year I didn't even cry because death was her release and reward and she was ready. When I've had to let go of a dog I knew I was doing the right thing for the doglet. I think that it hurts more to do the right thing and then move on.

 

I still have a battle coming with the original owner of Tank and Maggie. Maggie (formerly Penny) was the one who got lost from me and went back to her original home - owner's name Lisa. However, yesterday a neighbor of Lisa's called to tell me that as of 2am yesterday Maggie had been loose again and was again returned to her other home. I hear that Lisa is not very popular (some of the words used were 'crazy' and 'not fit to have animals' and I kinda am agreeing. I walked around the blocks and found her and got to hold and love on Maggie - but Lisa would not give her back to me. They have had her for four years and adopted her from CAPS - but when Maggie & Tank got loose neither had collars.

 

According to the Lisa's neighbor, others have complained about how she cares for the dogs and that they are constantly in the yard barking and getting loose. Maggie was happy to see me and seemed OK, but I'm still worried. The neighbor said that the next time they find her they will bring her in and call me and we will get her back here (hopefully they will find her!) and we just won't tell Lisa since she doesn't seem to care. The girls were gone for a month and they never even looked for them; and when they saw I had Tank they were in no hurry to bring her back home. Lisa has offered nothing to help with the $400 I've already spent on the dogs or with the spay/microchip I'm doing on Tank this Friday. She said she was "planning on doing that soon" and is assuming that once they settle their lawsuit I will just hand Tank (& Maggie WHEN I get her) back. Not going to happen!

 

Maggie had got thru their back fence and started fighting with their backyard neighbor's dog - when that dogs owner came out she got scratched by Maggie I guess when she tried to break up the fight and then sued Lisa and had Maggie declared a dangerous animal! Maggie is about the sweetest and most gentle dog I've ever seen! She was fighting with the other dog and the woman got in the way - I've done that with my own dogs before and got bit badly. Apparently the animal control officers had been at Lisa's house before.

 

I called Lisa again last night and she said she is picking up her daughter today around noon - apparently she has a disabled daughter who wants to see Maggie - and then I could get her and 'baby sit' for a while until their fence is done. Yeah. When I have Maggie microchipped she belongs to me.

 

I'm going to also contact CAPS tomorrow and ask what we can do to possibly have them reclaim Maggie and adopt her to us and have her declared not dangerous. I just have to be so careful because I'm waaay over my limit on dogs myself and will need to 'hide' some of mine with friends until I can safely bring them back home.

 

This has been so stressful - especially on my husband - because while all of this is going on we are having work done on our house and its going to be another couple of weeks before its done and we can try to establish some kind of routine. I'm out of vacation time at work too so I can't be here to help! As much as my husband loves these girls, he would be happy to have them go to another home because we have so many and ours don't all get along!

 

We also can't really afford all of this - we took out a $15000 loan to get the house worked on and then we are paycheck to paycheck paying for all of this. There are also some construction problems that are of major concern too. Nothing is going easily on this project and the contractor is going to be lucky to break even because of all the re-work we are making them do!

 

I think that if we can legally get custody of these girls (I don't see how we wouldn't with Tank especially) then I'm hoping that Lisa will in no way retaliate against us. She knows where we live too. If she's having as many problems as she says she is, then I think it would be a major relief to her to not have these dogs and to know they are safe and loved. But I don't know her very well. When I talked to her last night she assured me repeatedly that Maggie had not been off the leash and loose since she got her back - but the other neighbor said they returned her at 2AM on Saturday morning and I lean toward believing her because when we showed up at Lisa's house yesterday she unhooked Maggie so she could run into the street toward my husband - who drove over after I walked there first.

 

Right now I know where she is (if she's not loose!) and I can try to get her. I'm trying to decide if I should get CAPS involved and/or if CAPS will also get Animal Control involved. Animal Control doesn't care who she belongs to if she's been declared dangerous and we could be sued too. But I don't think the woman would have a case against us since we had not even known her when the alleged attack took place - but it's a tricky bit of legality there and I really can't afford to hire an attorney!

 

I won't think too far ahead - right now I just want to get Maggie back with us. Then maybe Lisa won't pursue anything further. Ahh, stress!

 

On another note - We will be attending some Christmas Eve services this year and possibly get more involved in some church activities - although when we first moved out here we went to a lot of different churches looking for one that 'fit' and have not found one. I believe again, but I'm still not convinced about some of the organized religions view points. I'll look for other view points and clarifications on some specifics - but God is personal and He will show me the path He wants me to take and now I'm open to follow it as best I can.

 

That said, I found something in a catalog and then found it in a store. I think its so interesting and it gave me a little direction for a hobby of mine. I bought a Hisstory bracelet. Some of you know what they are, but I love making stretchy bead bracelets (its relaxing and quick) and I'm going to start making and selling them. I'll keep enough to cover the cost of the materials and the rest will go for charitable donations. The bracelets are pretty cool and I can make matching neclaces too. I'm getting tired of croceting and knitting which takes so long to finish a project!