Boon's Sunday Sermon #35 - The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1

Shortly before my youngest son's third birthday, he snuck out of the house one night.  I had left to run an errand.  Connor was playing quietly in his bedroom with his siblings and my husband was in the back of the house.  Several minutes past before the older kids informed their dad that Connor was nowhere to be found.

Frantically they searched each and every room and nook and cranny in the house.  Connor had disappeared.  As they darted outside to see if he'd indeed wondered from within the safety of our four walls, they were greeted by a kind police officer, Connor, and our faithful dog, Scarlet. Before leaving the house, Connor had let Scarlet out of her crate so that she could join him on his grand adventure.

The officer told my husband that he'd found the pair about a block from home.  As he approached Connor to assist him, Scarlet began circling him not allowing the officer to come any closer.  The police officer asked Connor if he could take him home, and Connor walked back to our yard with Scarlet at his side and the officer close behind them.  

Usually when Scarlet is allowed to roam free outside of a fenced enclosure, she is "gone with the wind".  Her instincts carry her as she glides as though she were flying.  She is always soon to return, but first, she always runs to her heart's delight.  Not this time though.  One of her pack was in danger.  She set her sights on safely guarding him and guiding him back home again.  She stayed in step with him preventing him from becoming lost or stolen.

Matthew 18 tells a similar story -  “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

Are you the one that has wandered away and maybe even lost your way?  Jesus came to find you.  He is just a prayer away and when you ask, He will happily lead you back.  He went to the grave to insure that you didn't have to.  He came so that you wouldn't be lost forever.  Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”   And 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Won't you come to Him?

Have a blessed week, furiends!

Scarlet and Friends

Friends come in all shapes, forms, and sizes.  Whether people, animals, a good book, or a cup of coffee - a friend is ready available to offer solace in this crazy world.

Scarlet has made a ton of human friends over the years.  Whether in a therapy visit or on a daily walk, she is happy to greet all who come her way.  Last weekend when she accompanied mom and the kids to a Fall festival, she quickly became the belle of the ball.  Few people walked by her without asking to stroke her velvety fur.  Each time someone reached to pet her there was a smile across their face and for that brief moment joy in their heart.  She just has that effect on people which is why she makes the perfect therapy dog.

The Scarlet effect - random strangers who asked to greet her.

Scarlet is the perfect dog.  She is quick to respond to any verbal command or silent hand signal.  She walks effortlessly on a leash.  She is beautiful.  Her eyes speak comfort to the soul.  However, when it is time to "go to work", Scarlet's enthusiasm cannot be contained.

Our routine for a day out to visit is always the same:  she eats, does her business, and comes in to be brushed and sprayed with her special perfume.  Once that has been accomplished - she knows what her day holds!  She begins prancing - picking her front legs up higher and higher until it is time to leave.  The command is given to "load up" and she runs to wait at the van until the door is open and she is allowed inside.  When the ride is complete and we have arrived at our destination, patience is no longer her friend.  She pulls against the lead hard dragging Mom behind her in a hurry to visit with her friends.  She longs for the attention she will be given on these days and looks forward to each visit with each individual person.

This week Scarlet started back at our local elementary school where the children read to her.  Following her school visit, she made her rounds at a nursing home that we have just started volunteering at.  It's amazing the happiness her presence offers and the difference those few minutes make.

Scarlet enjoys being read to.. especially when it's a book about her buddy, Sugar.

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times."  Scarlet perfects that and lives it daily.  May we all aspire to do as much.

Wordless Wednesday - Signs of Fall

Spider Lilies

Miss. Katie "Scarlet"

Boon and Scarlet stop to smell the flowers.

**UPDATED:  For those who have asked - Spider Lilies appear here in South Mississippi at the beginning of Fall.  They are a wild flower that signal the end of one season and the start of another.**

Ball Obsessed

I know that being a Golden Retriever I am suppose to enjoy 'retrieving'.  A yellow ball is suppose to be a source of great joy for me.  Yet I do not get the whole 'fetch' thing.  I prefer to stand near mom and beg for treats rather than to work for them doing a job that serves no real purpose.  Scarlet on the other hand lives to run after tennis balls.  She can go for as long as the human's arms hold out - probably much longer, but you know how easy those humans wear down.  Don't get me wrong.  There are times that I'll give the ball a chase to provide the two-leggers with a bit of excitement.  I'm nothing like Scarlet though.

That dog is obsessed!

"THROW THE BALL!"

"Gotta get the ball!"

"Almost"

"GOTCHA!"

"I believe I can fly..."

"There you are.  You can't hide from me!"

"Ok, I picked it up.  Now what?"

"Here I come."

THE END.

Come back by tomorrow for my Sunday Sermon, y'all!!

Life at The Love Shack

Well, peeps, it has fur sure been a busy week here at The Love Shack. 

Before I get into all that though...

Mom says I've grown.  According to her I've gotten HUGE. 

I'm not so sure.

What do you think? 


Yesterday was the youngest two legger's birfday.  They don't have barkdays like us pooches - although after hearing mom, dad, and the big kids sing to the birfday boy I'm not sure why.

Anyways, Connor turned FIVE.  Wowsers - he's as old as mommy in dog years!  He had a great party but wouldn't share any of his cake with us.  HUMPH!  See if he gets a milk bone from me on my barkday!

Before Connor's big celebration, Mom and Dacey took Scarlet and Kudzu to the elementary school.  I was really jealous cause I didn't get to go.  Apparently, mom doesn't think I can behave myself for more than two minutes at a time.  Mom, Dacey, and canines went into six classrooms and spoke to over a hundred students on the importance of being a responsible dog owner and about how to be safe around strange dogs.  They had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back and do it again.  Maybe next time I can go too!

Our lil foster pup, Melody is doing really great.  I think mom wishes we could keep her, but I'm glad she knows that her attention is already stretched thin between dad, the four human kids, us seven dogs, and the three cats.  It has given us all a boost of encouragement to see what a miraculous recovery the yellow dog has made. - When she came to us nine days ago, she could hardly walk.  Look at her now:

Trying to take the camera case away from Mom.  HA!

Chewing on Jaden

Happy go lucky, spunky, full of life puppy!

Ooops, she does chew!!  Socks are a favorite.  (Second only to human flesh!)

Just a regular little party animal!

Showing off her new running abilities.

She's fussing at me here.  I couldn't help but think it was cute!

Well, y'all come back tomorrow for my Sunday sermon!  See you then!

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:

Doggie Day Camp For Kids?

Our smallest hoo-man with Scarlet at last year's camp.

Mom has been ridiculously busy the past several days.  Kudzu and I have resorted to chewing anything within reach just to get her attention.  If she isn't typing away on our computer, she's chatting the day away on her phone.  (ARGH... I don't get phones.  An excuse for people to talk to themselves, I guess?) 

Anyways, I digress.

She says it is all important since she has been working hard to get everything in place for our rescue league's second annual summer camp.  Scarlet got to go with mom last year.  We didn't - being that Kudzu and I weren't born yet and all.  Scarlet says it is good, big fun, and we will get to be there for all the excitement this year. 

Scarlet giving and getting some love!

In addition to mom speaking about responsible ownership and bite prevention, she will be teaching kids how to read a dog's body language and talking to them about mourning the loss of a pet.  Each day we will have an area veterinarian visit with us to teach the kids important ways to keep their dogs healthy.  The kids get to do crafts and sing songs.  We even have a dog trainer that will be there daily to teach the kids how to train their dogs.  And each day, we will have a special demonstration from working dogs in our communities.  Then on the last day, we will have a parade complete with police cars and fire trucks!

Some of last year's kids with pets and shelter dogs.

We want to send a shout-out to Bert and his Vickie for the resources they made available for the camp.  Mom can't wait to share them with the campers.  (She also says to tell you that we have a SAR dog coming one day!!)  Thanks, y'all!

Scarlet with campers.

It does sound like a dog-gone good time.

(It better be - after we've sacrificed all our play time with mom for the past few days for it!  Just saying...)


AROOOOF!
Boondocks and The Love Shack Pack

Meet Scarlet

Have you noticed the tabs linking to our stand alone pages at the top of the page?  Well, they each are set up to introduce you to the rest of our canine family.  We thought that we'd devote a little blog time to the rest of the gang over the next few weeks.  Today we start with SCARLET. 

 

Well, this is my oldest sister, Miss. Scarlet. She celebrated her 7th birthday April 1st. Mom says, "She's the one that started it all." Meaning, of course, that my human family's love of Golden Retrievers began the day Miss. Scarlet entered their lives. (This picture is of that very day. She was a cute puppy, huh?)

Mom and Dad were not well educated dog people when they purchased Scarlet. Not knowing a difference, they got her from a "back-yard breeder". Health problems robbed Scarlet of her puppy-hood, and she had more than one illness leaving the vet shaking his head saying he didn't know how she'd survived it.

Scarlet became all heart through her health issues. Mom knew she was destined to be a therapy dog and started visiting nursing homes, libraries, and schools with Scarlet before her first birthday. She was a natural and loved the attention.

After breezing through her CGC testing, Scarlet tested for her TDI certification. She tested with mom, dad, and their daughter all in the same day and passed with each person!

Scarlet claims Dad as her human.  If he's nearby, she only has eyes for him.  Mom often refers to Scarlet as "the other woman".  It's amusing watching them compete for Dad's attention

.
Scarlet works as a Tail Waggin' Tutor at an elementary school and library and visits nursing homes and hospitals.  She also works with our Mom teaching youth about responsible dog ownership and bite prevention.

 

Scarlet doesn't seem to care much for the antics of us young pups.  She spends a lot of time patiently ignoring us.  We love her though and want to be just like her when we grow up!

 

We look forward to many more years with our Golden Matriarch, Miss. Scarlet.

AROOOOF!

Boondocks and Kudzu