My First Puppy

Every little kid wants a puppy, right? A dog is said to love us unconditionally. While my puppy was not quite what you would expect, this little guy has been with me a long time...

We go way back to my first birthday. I see him there in pictures and it's obvious he was a favorite toy.  My parents always said they were the BEST type of pet. They don't make a sound or a mess! Flopsy and my other stuffed puppy, Scottie, were my "kids" when I played house. 

Wow, was our kitchen really that harsh pink?!?

 One fond memory I have is walking with my dad and I believe my little brother down the roads of West Shokan where I grew up. I am not sure how old I was but, I wanted a dog. A real dog. Well, I actually wanted a pony, but I figured I had a better chance of getting a dog. Dad didn't want a dog because he loved watching the deer come down to our yard. A dog with deer was a poor combination.

Here I am hugging him in the red chair that I remember too.

So I decided on this day that we were taking a walk, I would do the next best thing to having a real dog and walk my favorite dog. So I fastened one of my belts around Flopsy's neck and off we went. When we got off the gravely, dusty driveway, I put him down. I walked a few feet and then yanked the belt so as to have my puppy soar through the air ahead of me. Then I would catch up to him, pass him and just as the belt became taught, would yank him ahead again. Can you picture this??? This went on for quite a while until I thought my poor puppy might get roughed up on the black top and I decided to carry him.

My dad and brother, to their credit, never said a word. I never got my real dog until I had kids of my own, but this little guy is still with me. He still comforts me and creates a sense of peace for me.

He needed some surgery a few years back. I pulled him out of the attic and noticed his feet had atrophied from lack of use. So I went and removed every inch of packed (hard as a rock) stuffing and refilled with new healthier fiber(fill) and he's almost as good as new.

These days he sits on the pillows on our bed and at night gives me the incentive I need to lie down and sleep or rest. He also reminds me that like our Savior and Lord our God will never leave me. He brings me comfort, peace and joy just by being silently there in the background.

Do you have a something special from your childhood? Do you have the peace of knowing the living Savior Jesus Christ? Other than my puppy, Flopsy, Christ is the only one who unconditionally loves me. He loves you too and He waiting for you to come and rest.