Boon's Sunday Sermon #23 - Overcoming Adversity

Many times when we are out with Kudzu, people's initial reaction upon seeing him is to say something like, "Oh, poor baby."  While I understand their sympathy, it is wasted on Kudzu.

Had Kudzu not lost his leg, his former owner would not have surrendered him.  If his former owner had not surrendered him, he would not be in a home where he can truly live life to its full potential.  He would still be an "outdoor accessory" instead of a loved family member and an inspiration for others.

Through the very situation that stifled Kudzu in others eyes, it is also the same one that brought him to his God given destiny.

How have you responded to adversity in your own life?  Have you let it define you or used it to advance you?  We all go through hard times and are in someway a victim to plans that weren't our own.  We don't have to let those things defeat us.

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  Romans 8:37 


God has a plan and a purpose for you.  He can take all of those broken pieces and give you a testimony.  Romans 8:28 assures us that "He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

Instead of living defeated, we have the ability to choose to live victorious.  Instead of using our injury as a crutch, we can use it for a testimony.

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; - Revelation 12:11  


Kudzu has taught me in more than one way that it true - For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7 


Give whatever is holding you back over to God.  Let Him use it to give you victory so that you might live the full purpose He intended for your life.


Have a blessed week, friends.

Happy Birthday, Kudzu

Some of you may remember the story of how Kudzu came to be a member of the Love Shack Pack, but for those of you don't...

In May - a month after bringing Boondocks home - we received an email telling us about a four month old Golden Retriever whose leg had been amputated after his prior owner left him unattended for days and he'd become entangled in a hammock.  The owner didn't want the expense or burden of a "disabled dog" and surrendered him.  The wonderful staff at Crystal Springs Animal Hospital raised the money for his medical costs and then re-homed him with us.

Kudzu has a couple of quirks to work out and as soon as we do, he'll test for his CGC and do his therapy dog test.  He has a great personality - so full of love.  He greets everyone with a hug that can melt the coldest of hearts.

Kudzu turned "one" Sunday, January 15.  We couldn't be more thrilled to have him as part of our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KUDZU!!

Here are some pics of him that mark his first year.

Our first meeting.

Two days post surgery.

He fit right in from the start.

First Day Home

Who needs four legs??

Happy Boy

Kudzu LOVES to swim.

Kudzu's first therapy visit.

Kudzu works as a reading tutor.

The girls just can't get enough of him.

Kudzu's first Christmas

The Un-Stoppable, Kudzu

What a gorgeous boy he's become.

You can see the depths of his soul with a glance into his eyes.

Come back Sunday for Boon's Sunday Sermon to be encouraged by Kudzu's "testimony".

Wordless Wednesday - Racing to Christmas

JUST FOUR MORE DAYS!!  

Kudzu can't wait and neither can the rest of us!!

Preaching to the Choir and an Update on ME

What a true blessing you bloggie friends are!  When I wrote Saturday that Mom was "putting down her camera", the feedback giving her some much needed encouragement and confidence was overwhelming.

It was not what we were looking for in that post, but is definitely what we needed - even though we didn't realize it at the time.

That same evening Mom took the human kids to a street festival.  Several folks approached her about her photography.

Then she came home and we wrote Sunday's Sermon on Waiting on God.  It wasn't until she read my Saturday post, your comments to it, and then Sunday's Sermon in that order that she realized that Word from God was intended for her!  So she has a renewed enthusiasm and just maybe we'll get some new toys after all.

(She has a shoot this weekend where the family will be dressed in camo.  Mom has some creative ideas and can't wait to do it!  I'm going to go with her.  I am after all her muse.)

We still haven't heard back from the vet about the results of the growth I had removed last week.  I go back in on Friday to have the stitches removed.  We are hoping for good news!!  Mom says I've been a "clingy, grouch pot" since my surgery.  I stay close to her and growl at anything/anybody else who approaches.  But seriously, what if they step on my paw??  It hurts!!  I'll go back to my cheerful (yet clingy) self as soon as I'm healed and not a minute before.  So HUMPH!

We wuf vu all, bloggie furiends - the ones of you with fur and the ones without.  God made you each special, and we are glad He brought you into our lives.

Was this suppose to be our weekly wordless post?  Ooops!  Well, we'll leave you with a picture of Kudzu - who is doing very well, by the way.  He went with the humans and Scarlet on a therapy visit yesterday and LOVED all the attention.

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Doggie

Have a great Wednesday, y'all!

A Day at The Lake

On Thursday,  I hit my six month bark-day.  Since Mom was sick that day, she promised to make it up to me as soon as possible.  Friday, she felt a bit better, so she stuck to her promise and took me back to the lake she'd taken me to the day after I came home.

Mom wasn't sure what my reaction would be since the last time she'd taken me to a lake, I didn't want to get my paws wet. 

"Ewww, Scarlet's getting me wet!!"

Mom also didn't know what Kudzu's reaction to swimming would be.  This is the first time we've taken him. 

Scarlet went with us too.  She loves the water and especially loves to be anywhere she can be allowed off leash to run.  Mom always jokes that when the leash comes off, Scarlet is 'gone with the wind'.

Me and Zu thought it was a complete lack of justice that we weren't allowed to run free too.

When Mom gave the ok for us to swim, we took off like rockets.

"Come on, Isaac!  What are you waiting for!?!"

Zu jumped right in.  Dacey quickly caught up to him.

I liked splashing Scarlet best!

Mom says I've grown a bit since our last visit to Lake Ohkissa.  What do you think?

Left side at 8 weeks old.
Right side at 6 months old.

We all had a grand time.  Scarlet likes playing fetch best.  I like prancing and splashing.  And Zu Dude just enjoyed being in the water - and y'all, he swims better than I do!  Who knew??

Scarlet waiting on Dad to throw the bumper.

Zu Dude and Boon Boy

Y'all think he had a good time??

And in case you've ever wondered what a puppy 'frolicing' in water looks like, I leave you with this video:

Jesus and The Great Kudzu

Did you guys see the article that recently ran about the 'Kudzu Jesus'? 

Lots of folks have asked how we came up with our Kudzu's name.  Well, truth is it was not by divine inspiration.  Rather mom kept seeing the little, green alien from the Flintstones (aka the Great Gazoo).  Only since that sounded like more of a sneeze than a name, she changed it to The Great Kudzu.  When a Facebook follower pointed out that "Kudzu shows up everywhere and grows on everything it touches" it sealed the deal.  That's just what Kudzu's purpose was to be.

People have a strong, emotional reaction to Kudzu.  He has a beautiful spirit that is matched by the softest coat of fur you've ever had the pleasure of running your fingers through.  But as a therapy dog (in training), the folks he has already been able to visit have been visibly moved by his presence.  Mom says that because Kudzu is missing a leg, people identify with him on a more personal level.  Everyone we visit feels broken to some extent.  Kudzu represents for them a hope that disabled does not mean defeated.  Just because life has left you crippled, that is not what defines who you are.  Kudzu gives people a hope that in their own life they too can have beauty from ashes.



The article on the kudzu Jesus blessed us in the reminder that the vine known as kudzu and Jesus will always be around regardless of your best efforts to put them down. 

And so will our beloved dog, The Great Kudzu. 

Kudzu's First Therapy Dog Visit

Just a month past his leg amputation, Kudzu made his first appearance as a "therapy dog in training" yesterday.  Some dogs are just born to be therapy dogs, and Kudzu is certainly among them. 

At the library, he laid still next to Isaac as Isaac read a "Clifford the Big Red Dog" book to him.  (Isaac was featured with his golden, Cosmo, in yesterday's post.)

Then Kudzu chilled out with big sister, Dacey, at Brookhaven Animal Rescue League while Mom took pictures of some of the newest arrivals.

Kudzu LOVES being LOVED!

BARL pup, Meeko.  Such a cutie!!

Once Mom finished up there (after taking 75 pictures!), we went to the nursing home.  Mom has taken lots of dogs to the nursing home over the past seven years.  She says that most of them behave nice enough, but few of them instinctually know why they are there.  Kudzu is one of those few.  The first resident that Kudzu visited was a lady sitting in a recliner.  He promptly put his front paw in her lap and attempted to lick her face.  Everyone he met shared the same reaction: surprised by joy!  Everyone quickly inquired as to the nature of his injury and the meaning of his name.  Our favorite moment of the afternoon came when we visited with a lady who owned a Golden Retriever before moving into the nursing home.  Since she is bed bound, Mom helped Kudzu up on to her bed and then helped the lady to put her arm over Kudzu.  She held him tightly for several minutes.  It blessed all of us to see her reaction to him.

It was a great day.  Kudzu even got some extra treats for behaving so nicely.  Once we were home though, all he wanted to do was SLEEP.  You could honetly say Kudzu was "dog tired".

  He worked hard on his first day in training.  We were all very proud of him.

          Kudzu relaxing on the "dog couch" after a long day.

                                          

AROOOOF!

Boondocks and Kudzu

(Not sure why the font is not displaying in appropriate size.  Sorry for any inconvience!)

The Difference a Few Weeks Makes and a Question from Mom

Then

Now



So mom says I've gotten a little bigger. What do you think?

And Now ...

A Note from Mom -
When we brought Boondocks home towards the end of April, the thought never occurred to me that we'd be bringing home another puppy within a months time.  I started this blog as Boondocks (as opposed to one of his older siblings) so that it would begin with the beginning of his story rather than jumping into the middle of one of the other dogs tales.  So now that we have Kudzu, I'm unsure whether to leave the blog intact as is with Boondocks telling the story or split it between the two of them and write from each of their perspectives (Boondocks is a whimsical pup and Kudzu is an old, wise soul).  Since you are the one reading the blog, I thought your opinion is the one that matters most.  Please leave a comment sharing your preference!  Thanks so much for loving my pups with me!  - Mom

The Great Kudzu

 

Earlier this week I briefly introduced you to my new brother, Kudzu.  He is healing up really nicely and is quite the cool pup.  The kids seem to really like him which is good because he is drawn to them.  Our resident 'alpha' dog, Ohno (aka Mr. Grumpy Pants) isn't particularly fond of him. Mom says he'll learn to love him though.  Kudzu seems to be trying to eat us out of house and home.  Mom thought I ate a lot!  HA!!  The vet says that as he continues to heal, he burns more calories and will have a bigger appetite.

It's hard not to feel sorry for Kudzu, but Mom says that doesn't help him one single bit.  From what I understand his life was kind of chaotic before coming home with us.  His first owner had a lot of land and Kudzu roamed free.  This guy worked away from home and was gone sometimes days at a time.  Family and neighbors stopped by to feed him while his owner was out.  (Mom says she thinks that adds to his eating problems.  She's not entirely convinced that he is use to being fed two square meals a day.)  Then when he got caught in the hammock, he was all alone and not found for several hours.  We are all extremely grateful for the vet that footed the cost of the bill to save him rather than to put him down as his previous owner had requested.

Life is good for Kudzu now though.  He is part of a family who adores him.  Instead of acres of land to roam, he lives inside.  Instead of being at the mercy of folks who don't care about him to be fed at their convenience, he is fed on a strict schedule twice a day.  Instead of not having a visible purpose, he is now being trained to be a therapy dog.  Mom says because of his new found appreciation for life, he may just make the best therapy dog ever.  (Of course, we know that's not right because that title will one day belong to me!) 

I really like Kudzu.  He's only a few weeks older than me.  He likes playing with me a lot.  Mom says she's proud that she doesn't have to remind me to be gentle cause I already am.  We are destined to have many great adventures together. 

Life is good!

AROOOF!

Boondocks