Do you know who Rin Tin Tin was? He was a male German shepherd born September 10, 1918, In Lorraine, France. He was an international star in motion pictures. He was rescued from a World War 1 battlefield by an American soldier, Lee Duncan, who nicknamed him “Rinty”. Duncan trained Rin Tin Tin and obtained silent film work for the dog. Through the years he went on to entertain families appearing in 27 Hollywood films.
Another famous dog you might remember is Lassie. There were actually 9 male dogs that played the role throughout the years that were all related to Pal, the original Lassie. I can remember as a child watching the program and feeling emotions of excitement, joy and sometimes sadness. It was a good wholesome TV show that won our hearts, so much so that the bread of dog, a Collie was the most popular dog of its time.
These are just a few of the animals that have brought us pleasure and entertained throughout the years. But now let’s talk about the other benefits of a dog today. There are Search and Rescue dogs, which is exactly what they are brought up and trained to do. They assist police and government officials in searching and rescuing hurt or missing people, and help in bringing narcotic dealers and criminals to justice.
Benefits Of A Service Dog
We also have Service and Assistance Dogs, which provide care and assistance to people who have disabilities. There are many types of service dogs, some even serve multiple purposes. Potential service dogs go through rigorous training programs before they can team up with a handler. Here are just a few types of service dogs:
Guide dogs for the blind
Hearing dogs for deaf or hearing impaired persons
Mobility assistance dogs for wheelchair bound persons
Seizure response dogs to protect and help with persons with seizure disorders
Diabetes assistance dogs to detect blood sugar highs and lows by scent
Mental health service dogs or psychiatric service dogs are task trained to assist
those with PTSD, panic disorders, anxiety disorders, major depression, autism spectrum disorders and much more.
More Than Just Animals
My husband and I own an Australian Shepherd, his name is Luke. We bought him 2 ½ years ago, a couple of months after we lost our beloved golden retriever who we had for almost 12 years. For those of you who may not be animal lovers you might not understand, but we consider our animals to be part of our family.
Six months ago our youngest son got married and moved into his own home. He was the last of 4 children we love and raised in our home, so if it wasn’t for our grandchildren visiting and having Luke, our house would feel completely empty.
All of our 4 children are animal lovers. Our younger son Matt has Baylee, the sister of Luke.
Our oldest daughter Jamie has 3 children, 2 Golden Retrievers, a Chihuahua, and 2 cats, which the younger cat needs special attention due to his heart and neurological conditions.
Our other daughter Marissa is a cat lover. She is the proud mom of Scully and Mulder who were abandoned and found in a dumpster. However, God knew she needed them just as much as they needed her, so miraculously God joined them together, and they fit her personality perfectly.
Our oldest son Rob has 2 children, a cat and three dogs. Their newest addition is a puppy named Harley that a family member found in a box abandoned on the side of the road, along with its three siblings.
In the past couple of months we have had numerous kittens just dropped off and left to fend for themselves in our area, and in other nearby neighborhoods. This is very disappointing and unnecessary for this to be taken place. There are not only multiple shelters in the area, but also numerous social media avenues one could use to find a home for these unwanted creatures.
Animals are not only beneficial in service; they are essential and a blessing to humans, and we should treat them with kindness because God asks us to. They are created by God for man, (Genesis 1:26) and God cares for His creation, (Matthew 6:26), (Psalm 147:9), and we should care for His creation because they belong to him.
Proverbs 12:10 says; “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel” and Psalm 50:10 “for every animal of the forest is mine”.
Negligence Of Life
Animals being mistreated are one of the many things in life that I find unfair and heart breaking, but what saddens my heart the most in this life is innocent children being abused and neglected, and unborn babies being disregarded.
I am not judging anyone, for I know what it’s like to be in a situation of despair. When feelings of lost hope starts to cloud your judgment, which then leads you to believe you have no other choice. While those feelings aren’t bad enough, along comes the devil who is very crafty and who is the father of lies. He uses fear of the future, and usually someone else who tells you there is only one option, only a one way resolution. That’s not the truth, there are other options, (See list below). Unfortunately, when we choose to believe the lie and we give in to his deception, it only leads to bondage and death.
Where Hope And Help Come From
Thankfully, God knew we could not stand against the power of the enemy of our souls alone, and that’s why He made the ultimate sacrifice for us when He gave us Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can wash away ALL the sin, guilt and shame, and free us from of our past. He is the only way of escape, and He will always give us the strength to make the right decisions if we go to Him.
I am so thankful my God never lies to me. He cannot lie because truth is who He is. Although I have made bad decisions in my life I am trusting in His word that says “He will work out all things for our good to those who love Him”. Even though I wish someone had come along side of me many years ago, to encourage me in the Lord, and speak the truth to me before I mad poor decisions. I know God will take the lesson of my sin and my struggles, and use them to minister and help others who are struggling in the same situation.
There is a song called “Lay It All Down” that ministers to me in my time of confusion and need, the words go like this;
Bring your worry, grief and pain
Every cause you have for shame
Lay it all down, lay it all down
When your cares have buried you
And there’s nothing left to do
Lay it all down lay it all down
At the feet of Jesus, at the feet of Jesus
Carried on but your heart was tired
Feared the worst and felt the fire
Lay it all down, lay it all down
Filled with all those anxious thoughts
All your doubts became your god
Lay it all down, lay it all down
At the feet of Jesus, at the feet of Jesus
Lay it all down
Lay it all down
Lay it all down
Lay it all down
At the feet of Jesus
At the feet of Jesus
When we’ve given up on better days
There are memories we can’t erase
Lay it all down, lay it all down
We’ve come to fear what we can’t explain
There’s nothing here that can ease the pain
Lay it all down, lay it all down
At the feet of Jesus, at the feet of Jesus
“Lay It All Down”
We are God’s beloved creations who He never abandons, and everything living is because He has breathed life into it and we are to respect, care, appreciate and love them. I want to be part of the solution and I am praying and trusting God to open doors, and He has already begun doing that. Will you choice to be part of the solution? Will you choice to be a voice and a helper of the innocent? I pray you will.
Click contact information below for local and national woman’s help organizations:
Choices Pregnancy Services-Beaver Valley
Women’s Center of Beaver County
CareNet-Pregnancy Support
Call 866-322-7967
Also, contact your Family Doctor.
God’s handiwork when He was creating our youngest Grandson
Click below for local animal Rescue Shelters:
