Feedback on “GAGE is a Teenager”

Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.

                                                                                ~ Orhan Pamuk

                                               

It seems there’s nothing like a dog story to stir up our emotions. “GAGE is a Teenager” (July 16, 2018) seemed to do it again. GAGE is my registered ESA (Emotional Support Animal) dog. So far, he’s emotional and I’m supporting him. I’m hoping for a turnaround soon. My training goal is for GAGE to become a licensed therapy dog (visitation with hospitalized children and older adults). Stay tuned. If this isn’t the ultimate outcome, I will need lots of therapy myself, so it will not be a total loss.

And you’ve shared with me so many comments and stories of your own love (or lack thereof) for dogs. Here are a few I’ve received (may be edited for length). Love dogs or no, you may find these responses interesting, poignant, perhaps even inspiring. It may come as a surprise to some cultures, but in America the “threads of our life” are often are attached to the dog at our house. They say all dogs go to heaven. Haven’t found a Scripture verse confirming this, but I’ll keep looking. So here goes.

Loved all the commentary!!! Any hope, with age, he will become a better grocery store companion ?!?

~Marty W

 Dublin CA

You may have your dog!!!! I'm a "people' person and they, too, can cause comfort and chaos. It's a personal choice!!!! Summer blessings,

~Shirley C

 Westfield NJ

We have a pug named Poster Bosey, and he is supposed to belong to my daughter and her brothers! Don’t know how he made it seven years. He is very territorial and has peed on so many of my things! One time he got up on the dining room table and peed on my Bible! That is why I say it is miracle he is still alive! I am one of those who think you should keep your dogs at home and not take them to stores unless they are a service dog!

~Joan and Phil L

 Modesto CA

One of your very best, Ward, and I’m not even a pooch-lover!

~George T

 Edmonds WA

Certainly sounds like he's spirit-filled, but needs some work on application!

Wish I had a video of the Safeway incident! 

~Nancy E

 Bellevue WA

Loved the story and he certainly looks like a manly dog. But, teenagers – they can be a real embarrassment sometimes.

~Rick V

 Dublin CA

Nope, we’re not dog people, and this blog didn’t move our dog-loving needle any higher. God bless you dog lovers ... for the dogs’ sake, we’re glad you exist.

And we can think of many other reasons why we’re glad you’re around, Ward!

~Wes and Judy W

 Scott’s Valley CA

Oh dear Ward, I am sitting here reading this with a mixture of laughter & tears! Thank you for a great start to my week with your wonderful story telling that paints such true pictures of dog-years. You capture the frustration & incredible depth of love perfectly. The best is yet to come.

~Barbara S

Danville CA

Pastor T—I'll keep my Yorkie. Of course GAGE helps you get more exercise.

~Cookie W

 Sparks NV

Happy birthday, GAGE! 

~John/Avelynn Y

 Kirkland WA

Excellent humor. My visuals of the two of you for each trait were stellar. Thanks for composing/posting…before Nancy talks me into getting a dog! 

~Earl H

 Sacramento CA

Happy Belated Birthday to GAGE...his antics remind me of Barnabas in the Mitford Series. Now if he would just respond to Scripture like Barnabas did for Father Tim! Thanks for a great visual way to start my week!

~Martha A

 Redmond WA

The Safeway trip was a riot.

~Stephen T

 Savannah GA

Jim and I had a good laugh as we read your blog and new take on Galatians 5:22-23. What made it extra special is that I’m planning to teach on the Fruit of the Spirit in the fall to my international women. I think I will let your story be part of my first day, and intro to the study. They will love it!! Give GAGE a hug from me!

~Ginny R

 Bellevue WA

Oh Ward, I have not laughed that hard for a long time. Just picturing you on the floor in the grocery store grabbing at your dog. Now ever time I think of it I start to giggle.

~Shirley K

 Wilbur WA

Ward, I loved the GAGE story. I am missing my big guy Jack, for about 2 years now. Also a manly name-after Jacob/Yakov I guess! We got him from our son in the Coast Guard who had to get him a new home quickly. I really didn’t want him. We already had a pesky Yorkie—about 1/8 the size of the “new” companion. It was a long, sad ride to our house in Germantown TN from the Gulf Coast. A long night with him looking so pitiful, confused and uncomfortable on the small front seat of my 2003 Honda CRV (he was a good 50 pounds). We had him 10 really good years until rather suddenly, acute anemia/leukemia made it mandatory that, sadly, we had to take him to our vet/doctor one last time. We buried him that day on a relative’s property. He is truly not forgotten, but is still terribly missed by me and the family two years later. I notice every single dog I see that looks like him, black with light tan feet and a big light tan dot over each eye. We really did not know what he was other than something like of mix of a Rott and a Lab. I still thank God for him, something I never thought I would do until I experienced him. When our son and wife were still on the coast, at one visit, they opened a kitchen window for some reason and Jack ran and took a flying leap through the window right into a bush which gently caught him! (Ground floor fortunately) I remembered that when I read your hilarious supermarket story. God bless you, bro.

~Roy H

 Collierville TN

 

Thanks for your blog about GAGE. It is my laugh for the week! I love it when you tell us about GAGE. He seems so polite and listens to you in grocery stores and minds every word you say! I am so impressed!! I am glad you are not in your home alone. I wonder how you are getting along without Dixie. If something ever happened to my wife, I don't think I would remarry as it seems so complicated. So I think I would have to look for a GAGE in my life as I hate being alone.

My grandson Zach just lost his German Shepard named Bear. Bear loved Zach so much that when Zach left to play a game between Nevada U and another football team, Bear somehow got out of the rental place and went about 3 miles to the football stadium looking for Zach. Someone tied him to a fence. The dog catcher came and put him in a dog pound where Zach found him. Bear has been with Zach for over 10 years. He was such a wonderful dog. We were in Bend, Oregon, with him and Zach three days ago and Bear looked in the best of health. Yesterday he had a spell...was taken to the vet and found he had tumors all over his body. He died there at the vets office. To Zach it's like losing a family member. And we all are grieving.

~Bob P

 Scott’s Valley CA

Dear Ward, I loved your marvelous and very real explanation about GAGE’s growth and daily challenges for you as you have developed a love for him and he for you. Thanks for sharing every word and allowing us to relive your experiences in learning to cope. You’ll be in our prayers for your safety and enjoyment as the two of you interact with each other each day.

~Dianne G

 Bellevue WA

Love that GAGE story. How wonderful that you have him by your side.

~Betty M

 Anderson SC

Hi Pastor Ward,

I just read your piece on Gage and loved it. Wish I could have seen the Safeway "show"... I am going to read this to Luke. He was telling Tiffany all about GAGE yesterday.

~David S

 Bellevue WA

Ward, my sister-in-law was a good friend of Dixie’s. So I sent her your one-year report about GAGE. When I shared the devotion at MRI Board Meeting, GAGE slept at your feet the whole time. My comments were same as those in attendance at your Condo Board Meeting. “Amazing dog.” “So well behaved.” “So cute.” Enjoy today! (and GAGE)

~Don A

 Kirkland WA

Yes, GAGE is a good dog. Except when he’s not.