Beauty for Ashes

Beauty for Ashes
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud”.

Beautifully exuberant is the best way I can describe my children at full frolic on a frozen hill top behind our home. Sleds in flight, framed by miles of icy spectacle sets a snowy scene you must see to fully enjoy. Any effort to describe the snowy splendor of the Poffarosa lacks without mention of our four footed entourage. The Poffarosa is what we call our forty acres of Blue Ridge Beauty. Its’ placement affords us what have been called “million dollar views”. Here we have eight horses, seven cats, six dogs, one Cockatiel and a Guinea Pig named Nibbles. These add greatly to my work schedule and recompense as at-home-dad and neo-gentleman farmer, though I am a hobbyist when compared to my hardworking ranching neighbors.

To complete the picture add our two German Shepard’s silently establishing the parameter where they instinctively contain and protect, our pound-puppy mix trailing each sledding sortie, our Papillion content to watch from a warm window, our two mongrel sisters, probing for affection and an assortment of amused cats and horses which watch but have more sense than to pass the lines of tobogganing fire.


Of all our pets my favorite has come to be Ashes the dog. This was not always the case. Ashes when younger was a hunting machine. She would capture ducks, geese and groundhogs. She once snatched a bat out of mid-air. After one incident of snarling and lunging at my daughter Roo then aged two I established my position as alpha male and pack patriarch. This she never challenged but Ashes remained Nasty Ashes. As she aged she became diabetic. She lost her sight and became dependant upon insulin, extra care and concern.


For two years this was my starting and ending daily routine. High protein chow, one shot and let out or bring in Ashes. She became a different dog. She knew she needed help and appreciated it. She became loving and patient. The Fab Four never knew Nasty Ashes, only the slow cautious Loving Ashes. Watching them pet and hug as she rolled over to revel in the attention contrasted so much with the snarling Nasty that went after Roo.


Ashes end began that beautiful exuberant day. I went out twice in the dark and snow all around the Pofferosa but she could not be found. That morning she appeared on the porch. I took her inside and laid her on her bed. She waged her tail and breathed roughly. In a short while she was gone.

The impact of the loss surprised me. I have lost both parents, all grandparents, a couple cousins and pets a plenty. Still, something about how only by being humbled in her strength she was taught fear and controlled and only by loosing her natural prowess she could find trust and become a loving creature. Sadly sometimes it is only by loss and limitations that we become humble enough to love. In this I find my beauty for Ashes


Prayer and Ponderance.

Proverbs 16:18-19

Proverbs 29:23

James 4:6

Romans 1:18-20

Do you think pets will go to heaven?

Can you tell much about some one by the way they treat an animal?

Can you tell much about an animal by how they treat people?

Do we sometime let our perceived or real strengths make us aloof, proud or haughty?

What about animals can they get caught up in themselves and their abilities too?

Anthropomorphically speaking I believe we can observe some biblical principals at work in their lives!

Give Romans 1:18-20 a good read then watch your pets closely!