What I Learned From Our Faithful Dog, Bailey

by Mary Ann Halloran

It's clear in God's Word that He wants us to look at creation and learn spiritual lessons.

Go to the ant, O sluggard, study her ways and learn wisdom. Proverbs 6:6

Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26

As for clothes, why be concerned? Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow.
Matthew 6:28

Bailey

We had a yellow Lab dog for 12 years named Bailey. He was a wonderful family dog for us, and I did learn lessons from him.

The ones I want to focus on are:

• faithfulness

• perseverance

• and quickness to respond despite not feeling like it.

Bailey loved to go to the corral with my husband Mike every day to feed our horses and steers. Even though Bailey would be sound asleep, as soon as he saw Mike put on his hat, Bailey would jump up to go with him. He would do the same with my daughter when he saw her put on her horseback riding boots, and for me as soon as I reached for the bucket to go out to the chicken pen to collect the eggs.

Toward the end of Bailey's life, breathing was difficult for him since he had a serious condition with his lungs. He would labor to breathe after only walking a few feet. When any of us headed out to the corrals, Bailey mustered all his energy and still jumped up to go along, even though he would return struggling to breathe.

After a while, we would not let him go because of this problem, but he never stopped jumping up to try to go with us. His spirit never wavered. I always felt bad making him stay, but I knew it was best for him. Leaving Bailey behind, I would think, "Oh, if only I would be so quick to respond to what Jesus is asking of me, with such quickness and perseverance, even when I don't feel like it. If only my 'Yes' would be jumping up with enthusiasm rather than dragging my feet. If I am going to complain about it, what merit is there in that?"

My daughter, Rebekah, with Bailey.

It was a sad day in our house when Bailey passed away. We buried him near his beloved corrals where he had spent so many happy days with us.

I thank God for Bailey, for his companionship and the lessons learned. We all miss him, but hopefully, I will remember what God taught me through him.

I can hear God's word to me, "Look at your dog. He responded with joy as he remained faithful to his master, even in his last days of suffering."

Thanks, Bailey.

God bless,

Mary Ann / Mother Hen