Aunt Mary's Doghouse

A LESSON FROM DAVEY

I recently had the pleasure of attending an interfaith meeting at Bestfriends in Utah. We gathered as a community of faith leaders to create a foundation of how we can teach others to be more compassionate to all of God's creatures. I think we have a lot of work to do but every life we save and every person we influence will be worth it.

The sanctuary was beautiful beyond words. Each animal is cared for so well and they all live in what is a simply awesome environment. I was particularly fortunate to meet Davey in between sessions and I must say that it was the highlight of the trip for me.

Davey was found on the streets in Cleveland. He was terribly mistreated and he was nearly frozen to death when he was rescued. His one eye was so infected that it had to be removed. He was taken to Bestfriends and was given a very happy home. Davey had unfortunately learned not to be as trusting to humans after all he had been through so it is not likely that he will be adopted. I was allowed to visit Davey but I was told that I could not pet him because of the strong possibility he would bite me.

I got down on my knees as Davey came out of his living area and waited to see if he would come over to me. Davey did come over and immediately put his nose under my hand to lift it up. I remained calm but very excited that Davey was not afraid of me. He then licked my hand, not once, but three times.

As I walked away missing Davey immediately upon leaving his presence I could not help to think of the valuable lessons he taught me. The first is to suffer in silence. I realized that I complain a little too much about small inconveniences in life and Davey never once uttered a complaint as he endured so much more than most of us will ever understand.

The other lesson Davey taught me was to give the benefit of the doubt a little more often. He did not know me. For all he knew I could have been one of the people who left him for dead in Cleveland, but he came over and sensed that at least at this moment I was a friend and not a foe. He kissed my hand and offered me the peace and compassion he has yearned for all of his life.

I believe all of us can learn a lesson from Davey and those like him who provide a powerful insight into the challenges of life and how to cope with them.

Deacon Joe Dwyer

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