There is a beautiful, wild mountain stream in southwest Colorado named Animas River. If I had to describe Sydney in one word, it would be “animas.” Animas is a Spanish word meaning “spirits” or “spirited.” I think it comes from the same Latin word that our word “animated” is derived from. That was Sydney. As J. said, “She never was completely tame.” She had a mind of her own, and she didn’t always obey me. She seemed to think that she knew better than the humans who were trying to tell her to stop running and barking. She often surprised me by the way she knew what was going on in certain situations. Many times I said she was smarter than a dog should be. Sydney was responsive, playful, energetic, and enthusiastic; she loved to please us. Sydney was totally devoted to her family—happiest when we were all together. Stephen has grown up (to the age of 10) with her protecting him. She lived her life hard and fast, and at the age of 11 1/2, her heart wore out. She was an “all or nothing” dog, active until the end. (“Go big or stay home” as you like to say, David.) And, oh, how we miss her! How can a dog so completely work her way into your heart? I thank God for blessing us with our beautiful “doggie-girl.” God’s creation is awesome, and it is amazing that He created creatures like dogs that can adapt to your routines and give companionship to humans.
A praise song came to my mind as I thought of how Sydney watched me constantly, looking to me always to meet her needs. It’s called “All of My Days”:
Proclaim Your awesome power, tell of mighty deeds.
Declare Your future kingdom of everlasting peace.
And my eyes, they look unto You always.
And I am captured by Your majesty.
All of my days I will sing of Your greatness.
All of my days I will speak of Your grace.
All of my days I will tell of Your wondrous love. Your love in my life. Your love.
All Your works will praise You. Your children bless Your name.
We speak of all Your goodness. We walk in fields of grace.
And my eyes, they look unto You always.
And I am captured by Your majesty.
All of my days I will sing of Your greatness.
All of my days I will speak of Your grace.
All of my days I will tell of Your wondrous love. Your love in my life. Your love.
Lately I’ve been thinking about similarities between the relationship a dog has with its master, and the relationship believers have with God. There are some lessons I can learn. Just as Sydney’s eyes looked to me constantly, I need to continually keep my eyes on Jesus. I need to depend on Him for everything, just as a dog depends on its master for shelter, food, water, and exercise. As a dog shows unwavering affection, I should show my love for God and accept His will for my life in every detail. I need to be faithful to Him and put Him first in my life’s priorities, just as a dog is loyal and faithful to its master. J. and I, as Sydney’s masters, were everything to her, and she delighted in pleasing us. This is how my relationship with my Lord needs to be. And lastly, a dog is obedient to its master. Well, Sydney wasn’t exactly strong in that area. Come to think of it, people aren’t either. “All we like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6