Short Stories

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Have you ever seen an animal that is so driven by instinct that all it desires to do is what God created it to do? The English Setter, or at least my father's English Setter, is the perfect example of an animal created with purpose. I haven't seen an animal more intent on doing one thing in my lifetime, nor will I ever.

The dog I speak of, by the name of Gus, has no passion in life but to hunt, chase, watch, smell, and listen to birds. He has few other pastimes. He sleeps only when he is too tired to watch for birds any longer. He eats only when he is so hungry you can hear his stomach a mile away. He is a finely tuned machine that will not stop running until it must, by laws of nature.

As an example of his determination, there is a large bay window in my house overlooking a baseball field. This window's sill is approximately four to four and a half feet off the ground. In comparison, my dog is about three feet tall. All he can see out of that window, from his normal vantage point, is the sky. (Trust me, I've tested out his vantage point myself.) When he sees a bird in the sky, which is probably every five minutes or so, he leaps up from the floor, plants his back feet firmly on the ground, and places his front paws directly on the windowsill. He will do this no matter how many times he is told to stop. Gus could literally be beaten within an inch of his life (figuratively speaking) and would still jump up onto the window sill. Nothing can stop him from performing the one action he was designed to do; to be constantly aware of birds.

When hunting, he hardly stops for a drink of water and will lock stiffly on point for as long as the bird maintains its position. If that means he means he must be carried back to the truck when it's time to leave, so be it. There was never a hunting dog more serious about his job.

There are a few things that you as the reader should retain from this text besides any humor you might find. Firstly, you know you have a good hunting dog when he acts like Gus. Secondly, God designed every animal in such a unique and wonderful way and it is amazing to watch how well his creation works. He truly has blessed us with some interesting things to watch and enjoy. Take time to enjoy and appreciate all of the creatures that have been created for your benefit.

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