As I was walking with my dog Bailey some workers said, “Beautiful dog.” Another said, “Expensive dog,” and I replied with a smile, “Rescue dog!”  The rest of the walk my mind was remembering perceptions that the girls and I had prior to falling in love with our current “fur ball.”   

I was a single mom with no desire to add another responsibility to my plate.  However, I grew up with a dog and knew the importance of their unconditional love and the experience of being responsible for another life.   

I have always loved animals, particularly dogs, but as an adult, I never had the need to own one or the time to care for one.  My kids were after me for years to own a pet, particularly a dog or several dogs.  After watching all the “Buddies” movies they wanted five Golden Retrievers or a Bernese mountain dog.  

When I believed they were old enough to share the responsibility we started looking for the perfect addition to our family.  The three of us wanted a rescue and we all envisioned a big, friendly dog with lots of fur.   

When someone says that they own a dog, my mind immediately pictures a big, furry animal with a beautiful deep bark.  I was raised with a Collie/German Shepard and would not have dreamed I would own a foxy little Pomeranian that yaps.  She is perfect for us and has stolen our hearts.     

Our perceptions of what is right are not always accurate.  Being able to adapt and understand that what we want or what we see may not be what is best for us.  There may be something we didn’t expect which ends up being a much better alternative at the time or under the circumstances.  It is my faith and prayer that lead me to understand the best alternative.  

I also had the perception that my kids might really love and enjoy the dog while they’re young but as they got to be teenagers draw away from some of that and move towards other things.  The reverse happened.  My kids loved the rescue since the day they first saw a picture of her, despite not being exactly what their perceptions were their hearts quickly melted. And each year that bond became stronger and stronger.  And the rescue puppy that we rescued really rescued us.

Sometimes the perceptions we have in life, the things that we think are the truth, or what we perceive to be right are not at all reality.  I always like to make sure my mind is open to the fact that my perceptions could be skewed, could be clouded, could be wrong.  Yet when I center my thoughts on Jesus and pray for direction, my incorrect perceptions often become very visible, and I have an opportunity to learn from that perception,  change, and grow.

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