Sometimes I really miss having a dog. I haven’t had a big dog for 15 years but when Mr. Virgo came along, he brought a little ten pound Yorkie Maltese mix. Cricket was 10 years old when she arrived so she was 17 when we sent her ahead of us to the Rainbow Bridge. She was a crotchety old woman by that time. She wouldn’t let you touch her, bathe her, brush her, or trim her nails.

My last big dog (besides a very brief stint with an insane standard poodle that was much happier living with a littermate) was Sidney, my very large black lab. He was such a good boy and I dearly loved him. I just don’t live a lifestyle that is conducive to being a responsible dog owner. I’m just becoming proficient at taking care of myself on my own!

The lovely yellow lab pictured is Reba, who excels at agility training. Her sister is Maggie, a golden retriever who is a therapy dog. They both loved on me all weekend and gave me lots of therapy. Their mommy is Jamie, who is one of our fellow Ranchers. She was kind enough to open her guest room, her heart, and her jacuzzi tub to this very weary traveler. I gave my second talk of the weekend yesterday and today I’m heading back to West Virginia and this long odyssey comes to an end. Now, the intense work of wrapping up the books begins.

❤️

“Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Joshua 1:16 NIV