God Spelled Backwards

If there were an eleventh commandment it would be this:

Every boy must have thine dog.

This is a story about a boy and a dog.  Although it’s about a boy I know really well—my seven-and-a-half year old grandson Krischan—and a dog I barely know at all—Ika, a seven-and-a-half week old puppy (although I have to admit his teeth left quite the first impression), this story could be about any boy and his dog.  The close bond a boy shares with his dog is universal, the way, no doubt He intended.

 

I’m not alone, said the boy.  I’ve got a puppy.

-Jane Thayer

Ika is a mutt.  I use the word affectionately, because mutts seem to make wonderful companions for little boys.  If I had to venture a guess I’d say Ika is a little bit beagle and a whole lot of lab.  But one thing is for sure: He’s all dog.    

 

A mutt is couture—it’s the only one like it in the world, made especially for you.

-Isaac Mizrahi

 Although Krischan and Ika have only been together for a couple of weeks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how close they’ve become.  I’ve watched the two of them play in the yard and wherever Krischan goes, Ika is right there at his heels—as close to Krischan as a shadow.  When Krischan goes inside the house to get water for the two of them, Ika sits steadfast by the door—his eyes firmly on the doorknob, anxiously waiting for it to turn signaling the return of his best friend in the whole wide world. 

 

The greatest fear dogs know is the fear that you will not come back

when you go out the door without them.

-Stanley Coren

 It must be difficult for a living creature so young to be without its mother.  But for the life of me I couldn’t detect a hint of sadness or sorrow in that puppy.  All I could see was excitement, affection and comfort in Ika’s face—so long as Krischan was there by his side. 

 Dogs just need you and love, that’s all.

-Jennifer Westfeldt

 If you ever want to have the feeling that all is right with the world, take the time to watch a boy and his dog.  It’s certain to put a smile on your face and besides, it’s good for the soul. 

 

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

-Roger Caras

From what I’ve been told, Krischan and Ika have been really, really good for each other.  They have fun together, are the best of friends and play together so hard they literally wear each other out.  After spending the day at our house doing just that—wearing each other out—I received a text message with a photo of the two of them on the drive home.  They were in the back seat of the car; Krischan on one side and his four-legged friend on the other, both fast asleep. 

I couldn’t help thinking they were having the exact same dream:

When we wake up, let’s do it all over again.

Happiness is a warm puppy.

-Charles Schulz