Touchdowns with Duchess
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Galatians 5:22
My favorite breed of dog is the boxer (1st runner up would be the Frenchie). Back on the farm, we raised boxers and there was/is nothing like that butt-wiggling happy dance that a boxer can perform. This story could have been me, but it would not have mentioned football—mine was baseball. Read on to see what All God’s Creatures contributing author, Terry Clifton, learned from Duchess.
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Growing up, I was considered, in polite circles, husky. I was never an athlete, so my interest in sports was minimal. I felt a bit guilty and insecure about that. But I lived in northwest Indiana and was raised Catholic, so watching Notre Dame football games on television was mandatory. The fall Saturday ritual was to meet at the home of the McConnels and gather in the basement den to watch the game. For me, the biggest draw was the buffet setup—which clues you into my priorities. I was also very fond of the family pet. Everyone loved Duchess, an overweight boxer dog, who was the elderly canine matriarch of the family of seven children. She benevolently tolerated being dressed up and hugged on and serving as an all-purpose four-legged nanny for the kids.
I always tried to get a seat near where Duchess lay during the game. As the event progressed, Duchess didn’t move a muscle. But as soon as the cheers went up for a Notre Dame touchdown, she would jump up and run around in circles to celebrate the team triumph, then collapse again to her prone position.
Game after game, year after year, Duchess was there—loved for no other reason than that she was Duchess. It was unconditional and reciprocal love. She always greeted visitors in the same welcoming fashion, and guests reciprocated in kind.
Duchess, in her unique way, taught me the value of kindness and the power of being nonjudgmental. This much-loved boxer was an illustration of compassion and empathy, areas in which, to be honest, I don’t always succeed in. Still, thanks to Duchess, I know the tangible, powerful, and positive consequences of those virtues. And I came to realize that this attitude of love, kindness, and patience toward others is a demonstrable and powerful expression of God’s love for us.
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Isn’t it amazing what we can learn about God through the creatures He created?
Lord, help me to be alert to the examples of love coming from the people and animals around me. Let me reflect Your love to all that You bring my way. AMEN.