Millie-dog says goodbye

My heart aches as I share my news about Millie-dog. After much agonizing we determined that we couldn't keep her with us. She was in such great need of constant care and we could not give her everything she needs.

The more we considered what was best for all of us, we determined that we couldn't be sure that Millie would not have a "spell" of axiety and tear the new travel trailer to shreds. Did I mention that we did receive that? I will put a picture up with a future blog.

I am hoping and praying that Millie can find a home that will be able to attend to her and love her the way she needs. We have never had to return a dog before and this just breaks our heart because Millie could be so very sweet and loving. Her memory is forever etched on our hearts.

If you know of anyone who would like to give a frightened little dog a second chance at life, please visit www.pacconline.org.

We returned her at the K-9 Karnival in Virginia Beach on Saturday. There was lots of activity and she recognized some of her old human friends from the rescue. It was all I could do to walk away and not look back. She sure has captured our hearts.

Patient endurance

Romans 15:4 For everthing that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

1 Peter 2:19 - 21 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

The Bible teaches us over and over that our real blessings are not in the short term but in the long term. Consider how long Abraham had to wait for his son Isaac to be born after the promise was given from God. Many of the covenant promises were not fulfilled in his lifetime but through his descendants.

Job in particular endured great affliction and still maintained his godly character.

We are in a marathon race. The prize does not go to those who run a short distance with great vigor, but to those who are persistant and maintain their stamina until the end. I want to run my race well and I have the road blocks of suffering like the runner pressing through fatigue and muscle cramps to finish his marathon, we must press on even when our prayers are not immediately answered in the way that we pray them. We must press to know the will of God in our prayers so that our asking is in accordance not with our own preferences or in sympathy with others but praying the will of God in everything.

We have a God who knows affliction and is fully aware of our conditions here. It is in the midst of trials that our witness shows most brightly. What would it be to us if we were joyful and praising God only for the good times, our trials show our complete surrender to him in any condition and in any circumstance. We know that we can submit in affliction because he is using even our times of trial to develop our character into Christ likeness.

I Corinthians 9:25 reminds us that we compete in the race and endure strict training to get a crown that will last forever. This life here is short and our trials will seem small in light of eternity. Run with all your might and keep your mind stayed on the prize that we might finish well.

May God richly bless you as you seek him and as you serve him.

Millie Dog

For those of you who have talked with us recently you know that we have two new adoptions...see thread on Millie and Pru from March. Millie is the terrier mix who seems to be demon possessed. She seems to have episodes of psychotic behaviors and during those times she cannot focus on anything but escape.

This week she has escaped from her crate during the day twice and once escaped has destroyed our mini blinds which we no longer have down over the windows to prevent her from being offended. She even goes after the blinds that are not obscuring her vision. She then pulled the dryer vent off to try to tunnel out that way. We want to not give up on her, but honestly after two months of living with her our nerves are frazzled. Its not just the destruction it is the nervous anxiety that she exhibits that keeps everyone tense. The pacing, no sleeping, the whining.....

We have identified some of the triggers in her anxiety: brooms, mini blinds, men, air conditioning, abandonment or being left alone, confinement, and I am not sure we have come to the end of her list.

During her "episodes" even our Bassett can't seem to find a way to interact with her. She is just in her own world. My husband picks up our new travel trailer today and we just are uncertain of whether this is going to work:

1. Will she destroy the trailer?
2. What will visiting strange new places do to all her triggers?

We do find some isolated times of sweetness and she is quite a loving dog when we can connect with her. I am just not certain that our lifestyle is something she will be able to adapt to; and some of the changes she would have us make, I am not sure that we can. Lord, please help us to help Millie.