Hildegard, our Chihuahua/Terrier mix, is the undisputed queen of my house.
I have written on her in the past and reflected on the Divinely inspired connection represented by the leash I use during our walks. Like grace, it never breaks. No matter what she does and where she goes, the connection remains. That doesn't stop her from getting into trouble though, or from eating anything she finds that is not nailed down. I am sure it is her past as a stray coming through, but we just can't rid her of it!
I can't even begin to list the things Hildy has eaten: Cotton balls, clothing, sandwich wrappers, unattended scraps , pens, whole chapstick rolls, etc. Sadly, this doesn't even include the things she nabs on our walks. I know it makes me sound like a bad owner, but it is not uncommon for me to look up and see her munching on something in the grass, which ends up being part of a dead bird, rabbit droppings or God knows what. I always yank her back when this happens. Or I yell at her and chase her around the house, trying to get her to spit out the offending object . However, most of the time it is too late. Hildy is an efficient eating machine, so I tend to find she has swallowed whatever it was and is eager to find the next bit of trash to consume.
I absolutely hate this habit of hers, because all too often it leads us right to the vet's office. Unfortunately, Hildegard has a very fickle digestive tract, meaning that the junk she consumes tends to make her very sick. It is morbidly amusing in a way though, because the second we drive into the vet's parking lot, a profound change comes over her. Gone is the diva who is used to being Queen Bee and challenging the Great Dane down the street for control of the neighborhood. Instead, she morphs into a shaking, whimpering mess who tries to escape at all cost. This is no more apparent than in the consultation room itself when she squeezes in behind me on the bench to hide. I guess in her mind, if the vet cannot see her, she cannot get the shot, have her teeth cleaning or deal with whatever unpleasant things her actions have brought on.
I know it is common for pets to hate the vet, but they are far from the only creatures who fear a healing entity of great power. Humans have that problem too. Genesis chapter 3 tells us as much when it recounts the actions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Despite God telling them not to do so, the first couple chose to eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the center of the garden. Their action subsequently made them sick so to speak. They realized they had done something profoundly wrong and were suffering from disharmony with the Divine. As a result, when the "Vet" comes round "they hid from the Lord God among the trees," (Gen 3:8 NLT).
I realize this is a rather evangelical interpretation of what Christians term as sin. They view it as a disease spread to all humanity after Adam and Eve's rebellion and fall. I do not necessarily adhere it this viewpoint, but it does somewhat explain what creatures ranging from Hildegard to humans feel when their actions land them in the "Vet's office." It's ironic really. All creatures freely chow down on unhealthy garbage (like junk food, gossip or reality TV in humanity's case). Then they pick fights with others or freely chose to do other things that endangers their wellbeing. It is just in our nature. But when we come to someone, a greater power, who can actually heal us and make us better, we fear them. We turn away and do anything we can not to go through the pain and misery our actions require to be made right.
I am not sure Hildegard will ever realize this or learn her lesson. But we certainly can. We humans can comprehend the crappy things we do, which cause our brokenness and with God's help, halt them. We can then tackle the issues of larger life changes, which, if done successfully with God's guidance, will keep us from having too many bad "veterinary visits" in the future. Instead, it will allow the Vet to help us with the easier, routine things that keep us healthy and happy. In this, I hope you can see God in a true light. The Divine Life is sot a s a vengeful entity punishing us for our acts, but a Great Physician seeking to heal and guide us on to better ways of life.
I pray we will all one day see this and about our garbage-monging ways. Especially Hildegard, because her habit is really starting to add up!
Hope you are having a good day, friends.
