Romans 8 ¹⁵ For you have not received the spirit of slavery again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”

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Mom and Dad were riding the motorcycles the other night, and something bad happened. Dad wouldn’t tell me what it was, but when Mom realized, she said she got so scared, she didn’t want to look in the rearview mirror… she kept thinking she was going to see something bad back there, I guess. Then she said God reminded her that He was taking care of her, so she started singing  part of “The Great I Am” and that made the fear go away.  Here’s what she sang:

The great I am
The mountains shake before you the demons run in fear
At the mention of the name king of majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the great I am

I get scared sometimes; I hear the possum under the house in the hall bathroom, and I want to run out and chase it away; or the big trucks going by outside make too much noise and it scares me. But Mom and Dad remind me that God is taking care of us, so we don’t have to be afraid. Nothing is going to happen that HE can’t handle. We don’t have to worry about handling it, because it’s not our job.

So next time you get afraid, just try singing a praise and worship song, or just say “In the name of Jesus” and see if things don’t look better!

oh yeah! Mom says FEAR can stand for two things: Forget Everything And Run; or Face Everything And RISE….

Did you know that all dogs don’t have a good home? It’s sad to think about some pups having to live out in the woods, being scared and hungry and cold… but you know what? We know some folks who try to help them.

Have I ever told you how I came to live with Mom and Dad? My friend Ms. Kimmie had a big pen in her back yard, and she brought me and my brother and sisters to her house from where we were born at Ms Kamellia’s house. We ran and played and ate and drank and, well you know what else puppies do. We had toys to play with and chew on, and Ms Kimmie came every day to play with us and make sure everything was OK.

Then one day, a new truck came in the yard. A lady with long hair got out and walked up and started talking to us. She came in the pen and squatted down and petted all of us. She would pick us up, one at a time and love us a little, then put that one down and pick up another one. After she’d put us down, we’d run off and play. Well, everyone but me. You see, I knew who she was – she was going to be my mom. So every time she put me down, I’d put my foot on her foot and look up at her.

After she’d petted all of us, and held us, she stood there and looked at us. She picked me up again, and squeezed me a little, and then put me back down. I put my foot on her foot again.  And then she took her phone out and took my picture- the picture up above! She petted me one more time and said she would see me soon.

When she got home, she told Ms Kimmie that I was the one she wanted – she sent my picture to her so she’d be sure.

You see, the rest of the puppies were going on a trip up north to be adopted by folks. They were going on a transport trip, which means they got to ride in a big van with lots of other puppies and dogs, heading somewhere to find new homes.  And that’s what makes happy tails happy!

via GIPHY

Our friends at CCAS (and us too!) help get these pups on trips to new homes, and you can help us! Talk to Ms Kimmie, or Ms Leah,  or Ms Jamalyn, or my BFF Jordan; or you can just talk to me and Mom- we would LOVE to tell you how you can help!

Well…. last night was rough. I think it thundered all night long. And of course I barked when it thundered. And jumped off the bed to look out the window. And then jumped back up on the bed. And that made Dad not get to sleep.

I do NOT like thunder and lightning – I don’t know why. But I don’t. I already told you how scary it is. I’m always afraid it’s going to get me, or Mom or Dad. I don’t understand why they don’t get up and run around like me. Scout doesn’t even care- she just lays on the bed and snores… silly dog.

Mom says I have anxiety. I don’t know what that is, but it is NOT fun. I know Jesus is watching out for us, but I still get scared – after all, I’m the big sister, and I’m supposed to take care of everybody.

This is the Bible verse Dad says we need to memorize.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7

Acts 8  ²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise up and go toward the south on the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. ²⁷ So he rose up and went. (emphasis added)

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Mom and Scout and I go out every morning to walk around the yard and see what’s going on. We check on Tux the cat and make sure the squirrels are running fast enough. We love watching the birds fly up into the trees; one of these days we’re going to be fast enough to catch them.

So after we’ve taken care of our potty break, Mom likes to let us run some so we can build up our muscles. And lately, she gets Scout to jump up to make her back legs stronger. (She also says something about a nap, but  I don’t always pay attention to that part…)

This morning, she would say “Look Scout!” and point up in the tree, and Scout would jump up and try to catch whatever Mom saw. Scout even jumped over into the nandina bushes on the edge of our yard.  They’re higher than Mom’s waist and very thick. So when Scout jumped in, you couldn’t even see her! Thank goodness, Mom had hold of Scout’s leash so she could find her. whew! that was exciting!

Mom says that we all need to be like Scout and be excited to do what we’re asked to do by God. Mom  told us the story about Philip – God sent an angel to tell Philip to run and go towards Jerusalem, and Philip got up and ran!  He ran so fast he caught up with the man God wanted him to meet. Philip was able to tell this man, who was an Ethiopian, about Jesus, and help him understand the scriptures he was reading. How cool is that?

So the next time God says “go” – you should GO!

Last week, our friend Ms Pam at the police station talked to Mom and told her about kittens that needed new homes. Well, you know Mom.  She loves kittens. Especially solid white kittens and solid black kittens. (Remember my buddy Chip?)

So, Mom and Dad talked, and she went to get the kittens. TWO white kittens. Solid white.

Just like when Delilah came, Dad brought the big crate inside, and put the litter box and food bowls inside. The kittens stayed in for a few days. They didn’t like it when we went in to smell them.  They huddled in one corner and tried to hide. Delilah didn’t like it either- she  walked around the crate and fussed at them for coming to her house – I guess she forgot how it felt a few weeks ago when she got here.

But they’re better this week- the little boy’s name is Duff, and he likes all of us- he comes out of the living room and plays with Delilah and Scout and me. The little girl’s name is Dixie- she’s still scared, but now instead of running away from us, she arches her back and spits at us. (Mom says that’s better?) And she comes out of the living room too, sometimes, and walks around the house.

So now there are five of us…  sounds like a song, doesn’t it?

Hope said I could talk today, so I thought I’d tell ya’ll how I got here.

Mom said that when Chip and Yamaha still lived here, Dad loved them very much, but they were foster kitties, so someone else adopted them and they went to live at that house. It made Dad sad, so Mom looked until she found someone with some fluffy kitties.

When I met Mom, I was in a Christmas tree, hiding.  Mom thinks it’s funny that I was in a Christmas tree, and I was Dad’s Christmas present. (I think that’s pretty cool.)  So I rode  home in the truck with Mom and we all surprised Dad.

The first few days, I wasn’t happy – Hope and Scout kept trying to sniff me with their big cold noses, and they barked when I moved, and chased me when I ran. I didn’t know they just wanted to play.

So Mom let me stay in the big crate in the den – she put my food and litter box in there, so the dogs could smell me and get used to me, and I could get used to them.

But on the third day – oh my, I had fun. I ran up the hall and Scout ran with me… she likes to lick my stomach and lets me chew her ear. I let her and Hope eat the food I don’t eat, and I drink out of their water bowl.  (They even like to smell in my litterbox, but Mom blocked that off so they can’t get to it.)

We all lay on the sofa together while Mom works, and Scout even taught me the best place to stretch out, just like she does.

And at night, we all sleep with Dad and Mom- Hope and Scout sleep under the covers and keep their feet warm, and I lay on the foot of the bed, or by Dad’s head so I can make sure everybody sleeps good.

When I first came, we all had to get used to one another; I had to learn not to be scared of Hope and Scout, and they had to learn that because I’m smaller, I can’t play so rough. But we’re all learning to love one another and understand each other’s differences. I’m so glad I got to come and be a part of the family!

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Dad says our pastor talks about walking in the favor of God – that God loves to bless us by giving us things we like, or by finding something  we need that’s marked down, or by letting us see blessings in the things around us. There are all kinds of things God can bless you with.  (And it’s not about what we do, or who we are- it’s just that God loves His children and wants to bless them!)

I know Jesus loves us dogs and cats too; and sometimes we get blessed when the people we own get blessed.

So guess what happened today? When Mom and Dad went to Tractor Supply to pick up a bag of dog food, they also found some of the peanut butter cookies I like so much. They also got some bags of the chicken meatballs that we both like. While they were checking out, the lady gave Dad a coupon for a free bag of treats that her dogs like! Then she even went and picked up the bag and brought it to us- it’s got sweet potato in it and it looks like bacon.

We already got to try some and they are GOOD.

“For he who finds me finds life  And obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 8:35

Mom says it’s almost time for Santa to come- just one more day…

Dad & Mom will get up and go to church tomorrow morning, and then go to have Christmas at Dad’s sister Dianne’s house, and then they’ll come home; and when we go to sleep, that’s when Santa will come and bring us some goodies…

We have been good dogs this year – well, for the most part. There was that time that Scout got that tin foil off the counter, and then one time I ran off into the yard next door and made Mom come look for me. (actually, it was more than once- but in my defense, Mom did accidentally leave me in the house one time and then couldn’t find me outside.  but I’m not laughing at her – nope, not me.)

And then there’s all the times that Scout takes something under the bed and chews it up, and makes Mom have to get on the floor to get it.

But we have both gotten better about chewing stuff up- I don’t know if it’s because we’re all grown up now, or if it just doesn’t taste as good as it used to- but we’re doing better!

And I’m gonna do my very best not to bark at the reindeer when they land on the roof- even though it would be fun to bark. If I wake Dad and Mom up, Santa may not leave us anything.

Merry Christmas ya’ll! (and don’t forget why we celebrate Christmas!)

Guess what?! Look who came to our house to live… Mom gave her to Dad for a Christmas present.

Her name is Delilah- Mom says she’s a tuxedo cat,  like Tux. She’s really little right now, but she’s gonna grow up to be big and strong like Scout and me.

Dad says she’s going to fit right in with us – he says she’s just as nosy as we are, and she follows him up and down the hall like us, too. He and Mom call us the Nosy Britches Brigade.

Scout likes to try to chew on her, but Mom won’t let her. I think maybe I need to tell Scout the story about when she was a baby so she’ll understand.

So far, Delilah hasn’t met any of the other friends who live here – Mom says she doesn’t want her to claw Serafina or Emily Jane or Lamb Chop, and she’s  kinda afraid of being outside. We’re gonna get her a harness and leash so she can go out with us and not run away.

When Delilah first got here, we both wanted to bark and run and chase her, and that scared her. I don’t think she knew about dogs. Then  Dad reminded us that she’s our little sister, and we’re gonna have to teach her about living here, and we’ve got to be good to her. She’s used to us now, and even sleeps with us, and Mom and Dad.

I’m kinda excited about this new sister- Scout and I both like the foster kitties, but they get adopted and go to their new forever homes, and we can’t play with them anymore. So this way, we can always have a kitty to play with! (But I sure am glad we get the chance to foster them, and teach them about how good dogs are.)

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

P.S. – Mom says I should tell ya’ll that we kinda got behind on telling my stories- but we’re going to work hard and get some more up there so ya’ll can see what we’ve been up to.

You are NOT going to believe this, but it snowed…. really truly snowed. I wasn’t even sure what it was ’til Dad told us. I mean, I’ve heard songs about snow, and watched it snow on TV, but I had no idea it was so cold!

Scout and I got to go out and run in it and bite at it. (It didn’t taste good.) We stuck our noses down in it and tried to see what it was (it didn’t smell either).

We were so excited to be running in it we couldn’t even remember to take care of our business! Mom finally had to remind us…. then she was laughing about the yellow snow… I know, it sounds crazy to me too, but sometimes Mom laughs at stuff I don’t understand.

I wonder if it will snow again?