A Dog Year | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: A Dog Year | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sharon Brooks
01/27/11
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A Dog Year

This was the best year of my life! My name is Bonnie and I’m eight years old. Dad
never liked me, but everything changed this year.

I’m a dog of pedigree. I’m the canine of choice for the Royal Family. My cousins roam
Buckingham Palace. My father is a retired champion named Mr. Bean, I’m sure you’ve
heard of him. I’m a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

How lucky this family was the day I came home with them. They had a nice house…not
Buckingham Palace…but nice. The first week my teeth were bothering me, so I chewed
the spindles on the staircase. Dad was really mad. I was sorry, but it was too late.

Dad put a gate on the laundry room. There was nothing to chew on in there. I watched
dad through the bars and hoped he would give me another chance. At least I didn’t get in
trouble anymore.

Mom and I had fun. She knew how smart I was and we played lots of games. Mom was
my best friend. I could see how sad she was, so I tried to cheer her up. I love being a
clown. My best trick is throwing toys over my head backwards. This always made mom
laugh, she called it my dolphin trick.

Everyday was pretty much the same. Mom cleaned the house, worked in the garden,
cooked and took care of the kids. I loved to watch her; everything she did was so
interesting. I especially liked it when she cooked. Dad usually came home after the kids
were in bed. I knew what to do, I headed downstairs to the laundry room and turned to
watch dad lock the gate. Sometimes he even looked at me!

One day dad came home early. He never came home early. Mom was so happy, dad
was not! The next day he was home all day, even though the kids went to school.
Weird! Usually I could predict their schedule. Something was definitely different.

Dad was home day after day, month after month. He was so very sad. I spent a lot of
time in the laundry room. I felt sorry for dad. The winter turned to spring and I heard
mom say that they were both taking me for a walk; YAY!

I know a lot of words, but “walk” is my favourite. We went to the woods. Mom let me
off leash…freedom! I couldn’t wait to show dad how smart I was. Walking with me
seemed to cheer dad up a little.

All of a sudden we had a lot of visitors. We never had visitors before. One day I found
out that they came from a church. My family took me there for a picnic. Wow, talk
about a great day. Kids were running everywhere, food was being dropped from flimsy
paper plates and I got to lick ice cream off of a little kids face. I really like to word
“picnic” now. Even dad played with me a bit. I slept so well that night.

Our new friends reminded me of when I go to Nana’s house. She treats me like a queen!
Like Nana and Papa, these new people close their eyes together and everything felt
peaceful. I heard the word “Father” a lot. “Father” is a new favourite word of mine.

Things are back on schedule. I can predict things again. There is one huge difference
however; I look forward to dad coming home, and clearly he looks forward to seeing me.
I don’t spend much time in the laundry room anymore.

It’s been a great year! I have a feeling next year will be even better.

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…” (Joel 2: 25 NIV)

Author’s note: I chose to write lightheartedly through our family dog’s eyes at what was
a very difficult, but miraculous year. My husband of 22 years gave his heart to Christ
this year, was baptized and gave his testimony before our church. The new family of
God that we have been blessed with at Faith Church was essential to this transformation.
Our family has been radically transformed, and yes Bonnie’s life is much happier too!
Never stop praying for loved ones to come to Christ, it has to happen in His perfect
timing.

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