Lifes lessons from some Puppies

Today I received an email from a very dear friend of mine who has just recently started to make some incredible changes in his life. These changes are reflecting such a positive radience on exactly how wonderful of a person he is on the inside, a person that people who just know him and don't take the time to understand him are missing out on. This friend most recently started volunteering at the SPCA out of his love for animals and his desire to give back to four legged friends that always seem to have the perfect kiss and eyes of comfort just when you need it the most. If any of you have ever tried to sign up to volunteer at an animal shelter you will know how much work it is just to get your foot in the door, so you will also know and appreciate that a true volunteer has real passion and dedication for animals when they actually. make it through.
So anyways, I have to introduce you to one more friend of mine before this story will make any sense to you, and that is Gizmo. Gizmo is my 3 year old, 6 lb female chihuahua that will absolutely, without a doubt change your ideas of the yappy, ankle biting pups. She has been an amazing addition to my family and changes everyone that meets her, with her tender spirit.
Now that you have a pretty good idea of the two main characters of my story, I would like to share with you the email that I got from my no name friend mentioned above. It went something exactly like this: "Before I met Gizmo I probably wouldn't have given a cranky Chihuahua a second chance, but because of her I think I have a soft spot for them now.  Last week, the 15th, there were two Chihuahuas in a kennel together, Betty and Batty.  Whenever anyone would come up to their kennel they would both cuddle up on the bed together and shake and bark like typical annoying Chihuahuas.  Well I decided to take them out, when I went in Batty warmed up to me fairly quickly and he actually turned out to be really cool!  Betty was still very timid but she did warm up to me, she was just so sad and scared and even when I had her outside she just wanted to sit on my lap.  After that they became my best buddies for the day and I made sure every time I saw anyone looking at them I let them know that once they get out of the kennel they are both really sweet and they're not grumps like they act in there.  I never did get either one of them adopted that day but I kept thinking about them and looking at the website this week to see if they were taken off, they both were off by Thursday or Friday.  So the first thing I did yesterday was look at the adoption board to see when they went home!  But they weren't there.  I of course assumed the worst and I couldn't understand how they could have been put to sleep.  I was thinking about them last night and getting myself upset and started to wonder if I can really take working at the SPCA if I'm gonna know stuff like that is happening.  Well they updated the weekly adoption list on the website last night and of course guess who is on there?  Betty and Batty!  I guess the white board must only get updated by volunteers and not for every adoption.  So all that acting emo for nothing.  Its all Gizmo's fault! =P"
While this email really is a story about how one chihuahua changed a mans heart to be able to reach out to other chihuahuas and give them a hope for a future, there is a deeper lesson to be learned here. I cannot pass up the opportunity to articulate and remind myself how important it is to not write people off simply because of a first impression. I can't help but sit here and imagine the big, deep sigh of relief and comfort that Betty and Batty must have felt when my friend reached out a loving and comforting hand to them. There is no doubt in my mind that God put our animal friends on this earth to teach us something, and in this case I can't help but find a lesson on how to be more like Him. It makes me take a big sigh of relief just thinking about it and reminds me that this is the same comfort that I get from my Heavenly Father just when I need it the most. Psalms 30:11-12 says "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." When Jesus reahes out his hand to us, we can find a greater comfort and joy than what Betty and Batty felt. We can rest assured knowing that we are saved forever just by taking his hand, accepting him as our savior and walking in his footsteps daily. So breathe that sigh of relief with me and remember, don't judge a book by its cover, cause that deeper, inner spirit can bring you joy for days, months, years to come! All praise and glory goes to God.