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Take - Belle's Musings - Drafted
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Belle’s Musing - Drafted
Take
Ps 104:14
He makes grass grow for the cattle. NIV
My mommy calls me her missionary dog. She is always talking about our “calling” and taking the yoke of God. For the record, she may have volunteered to take this yoke, but I was drafted. For the most part, I’ve been dealing with things pretty well but this week, that yoke thing went too far.
The Bible says God makes grass grow for the cattle. Downtown Philadelphia must not have any cattle because it doesn’t have grass. Someone needs to tell Philadelphia, Mommy, and God that dogs need grass too.
My first inkling of trouble was arriving at the dog friendly Lowes Hotel and hearing Mommy ask where to walk the dog. As the smiling woman behind the counter handed mommy two dog dishes and a bag full of dog treats she said cheerfully, “You walk them in the street.”
Mommy looked shocked. “The street,” she said incredulously.
“Sure,” the lady said. “City dogs use the street.”
“Is there grass anywhere?” Mommy asked.
“No,” the woman repeated. “The dogs use the street.”
“We’re not just talking about going for a walk you know,” Mommy said.
“I know what you are talking about,” the woman laughed. “Our dogs use the street.”
“Would you please explain to Belle that she needs to use the street?” Mommy asked. The woman laughed again and Mommy looked down and said, “Belle, you are going to have to go potty in the street.”
Surely Mommy was joking. Had she looked outside. Doesn't she know what she is ask of me should be private? There are people everywhere.
“I’m not kidding, Belle,” she said. “We’re going to stay here a week. You don’t have any choice.”
We’ll see about that, I thought smugly, sure I’d win this battle.
I held out the first night and the next morning. Both times, Mommy took me down 30 floors on the elevator. Elevators scare Mommy to death. Every time the door opens she yells, “Stay Belle.” Hasn’t she noticed by now that I never get more than 3 feet from her. Mommy makes me sit while I’m on the elevator and for some reason, I’m always the main attraction for anyone getting on.
When the elevator would finally bump to a stop, Mommy would take me out side, lead me to the curb, and say her usual, “Go Go Go.” Cars raced by and horns honked. I knew what she wanted but stood my ground. Who could concentrate anyway with everyone walking up to pet me? I don’t know what they use buses for, but they make a lot of noise. The taxi drivers didn’t like us in the street and tried to run us down. All in all, it was terrifying. Finally, Mommy gave up and went back upstairs.
By the next afternoon, I knew I was in trouble. When Mommy came back to the room, I barked and Mommy grabbed the leash. I thought I was going to die waiting on that elevator to travel downward. Everyone in the hotel stopped us to talk. Mommy had no idea how close it really was. When we got out to the curb, I swallowed my pride, and cooperated.
“Good girl,” Mommy said. “Good girl Good girl Good girl!” Everyone turned to look. I made up my mind right then that this wasn’t happening again. If I waited long enough, Mommy would have to find me grass.
The next time, I made it 30 hours but finally had to give in. I took satisfaction in the fact that Mommy was worried but ultimately, I lost the battle and used the horrid smelly street.
Late that evening, Mommy decided to take me for a long walk. After about 12 blocks, we found a 6-inch patch of grass. Thrilled, I ran over and used the grass.
Would she bring me back again?” I wondered excitedly.
Mommy dashed my hopes. “Sorry, Belle,” she said. “I’m in meetings all day. I won’t have time to walk this far again.”
The week was a nightmare. Each time, I waited as long as I could. Mommy fretted, begged, and offered treats. She tried different streets, curbs, and alleys. Some of the places looked dangerous and had homeless people walking up and down. I suspected they were there for the same reason we were.
Daddy arrived on Thursday night. He’ll save me, I thought as I jumped and barked. Daddy let me down. He took me to the same places Mommy did. He even had the time but wasn’t willing to walk the 12 blocks to the 6-inch patch of grass. Every day, as Mommy left the room, she reminded him of that grass but he just took me to the same place over and over.
We stayed in that concrete nightmare for 7 full days. As I climbed into Halleluiah, I felt like shouting Halleluiah. I never looked back. Daddy drove as we left Philadelphia. We got on the highway and my wonderful daddy pulled over at the very first rest stop. There before me, stretched out for yards and yards was heavenly sweet green grass. This time, I wasted no time. God may have made grass for the cattle but I love it too. I guess I'll continue on Mommy's journey but if she keeps going to places with no grass, we will have to discuss this thing about taking yokes. I'm on a leash and a leash is a lot different than a yoke.
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