Celebrating the Underdog

Yesterday my daughter and I volunteered at the Bahamas Humane Society Fun day. It was a day to help raise money to further the amazing work being done at the BHS, where hundreds of homeless, abused and unwanted animals are cared for and eventually re-homed to their "furever" home. There were food, games, and contests for all to enter. The contests were far from the traditional dog show events; there were awards for best kisser, waggiest tail, most/least obedient, most agile, most unusual looking, and best costume. There were ribbons handed out to the winners of the contests, worn with pride by the dogs and the proud owners.

The day which was primarily a fundraiser was really more about celebrating the underdogs of the dog world. The dogs there did not contain a pedigree or official papers stating their genetic greatness. No, the only claim of greatness was seen in the bond between dog and their owners, but what a claim. Papers were nowhere to be found but claims of love and friendship abounded in plenty. Most of the dogs yesterday were alive because they had been surrendered to the BHS, rescued off the streets or snatched from a death sentence at the pound by BAARK. These once underdog dogs were certainly the stars of the show as they were paraded through the fun day by the owners who loved them.

I too am an underdog, in fact I think most of us are if we think about it. There is a point in most people's lives that we question where we belong. We might have come from the best of families or the worst of families, our heritage matters not, what matters is that we truly know to whom we belong. Once we do, we no longer are forced to take cover under rotting porches instead we have shelter with a King. When we know where we belong, the terrifying fear of being hurt is replaced with the strong protection of our Creator. The dogs yesterday, were once underdogs but were claimed, sheltered, protected and loved. They wore their ribbons from the contests with pride and their owners beamed to be associated with such a dog. I too have a ribbon of belonging which I wear with pride, it is not seen with eyes as it is in my heart. I know I belong, I am protected, sheltered and best of all loved. I belong to the King. Yesterday, I was reminded of such truth.

love came running

Our foster dog, "Bruno the brave" has been with us for two weeks now. When awake he spends about three quarters his time on our back porch the rest he has taken to wandering around our yard like a palace guard. He is really quite the charmer as he stands on guard or wanders around acting like he has been hired to guard our family.

Bruno still has some weakness in his back legs but just the other day he lifted his leg to pee, a great sign that he is regaining some strength! Another great thing to report is Bruno's hair growth, it is coming in well now and I think he knows he is looking handsome.

Yesterday Bruno made my heart swell. Bruno and my other two dogs were at the far fence of our yard. Snickers, my adopted potcake heard my back door open and came running up to see me, Bruno followed suit. Did you hear that? He ran to me. He was so excited to see me he ran. This was a dog who had a hard time sitting up about 10 days ago and he was running!

I knelt down and opened my arms as Bruno ran towards me and all I could think of was the phrase love came running! He enthusiastically welcomed my hug and affectionate pets. It was a moment of true gratitude and friendship.

I always thought I was the one giving love to Bruno as he was healing from his neglect and poor health, but yesterday Bruno was the one who showed me true love as love came running to greet me in an all out, unhindered way. Thanks Bruno, you are amazing.

My Ferocious Hallejuah Chorus.

I love my morning walks with my dog, Deegon, I get home from the gym or pool early enough to take her out before it gets too hot. At first my walk starts very quietly with only the birds chirping then I round the corner and the fun begins. I walk past my first neighbour dog, who begins what I have learned to appreciate as the dog's version of the hallelujah chorus. A lone voice starts it all, a howl or woof which is akin to the conductor tapping his music stand to ready his musicians for the performance. As I walk further the booming bass of a huge German Sheppard begins, followed closely by his yard mate a Potcake of medium build who adds to the rising voices with his sharp staccato bark firing pretty much to the beat. Later down the road I see and hear Labs, Great Danes, and yes even a Yorkie all bringing their distinct voices to the Dog Hallelujah chorus as Deegon and I continue our walk in our neighbourhood. I remember being quite afraid in my early days here in Nassau of these dogs, yes most are behind fences but they are all there to protect their home and masters and therefore in my mind are capable of manslaughter if they felt like it. Now, I walk past them, head held high to the beat of their ferocious chorus, no longer intimidated but now more entertained as the passing by of Deegon and myself are announced to the whole neighbourhood.


Today I loved it so much, I started singing along with great joy (in my head of course..I still have to pretend my sanity still exists). It was the strangest of worship services but one that was ferociously full of joy. What once was full of fear has turned to joy, I know it was only a morning walk, some amazing dogs and the hot streets of Nassau but today I was reminded of God's restorative joy. He alone can turn difficult and scary things into moments of joy, He alone can tame my heart, He has made me glad to be His in His world.


Shine on my friends Allie