The Shepherd Mix

We live out on the country side in Northern Ontrio, surrounded by nature.  With that comes exposure to nature and the wildlife it brings to our back door. Like bears!

Just a year ago, while unloading my family van at our back door, I turned around to see a curious black bear standing only about 50 feet from me. It continued to approach unhindered.  Instinctively, I charged at it. Making noise, waving my arms and kicking rocks off my driveway this bear was at the mercy of my comparatively frail structure.  Although not the best plan, (and plan it was not as I had no plan for recourse should the bear not move), it was all I had.  Fortunately, it worked!  

The bear, with a look of confusion wandered back down a trail into the bush from where it came. Wow, I must have made myself look large enough this time around but this bear was not the largest I’ve seen around our property.  Normally I would wander away casually from a bear; look for a camera even to take a picture from a distance.  In this case, I had no idea if my kids were on their way out to help me unload the van.  I reacted in fear that they would appear easy targets if seen. I made my presence known!  That bear was gonna have to go through me first.  In retrospect, I knew that wasn’t enough.  We needed a dog!

This past week my family welcomed the new addition of a family pet into our home.  One year old pup, Cola, came to us from a good home ready for us to enjoy.  Even with past abuses in her life she has been resilient with proper care from her most recent owner.

My four kids have taken well to her high energy levels and Cola is open to the idea of running free all day.  Although the transition of homes must be confusing for her, she’s responding well to my wife and I as her new “Masters”.  Her gentle spirit and loyalty is evident already.  She seems the perfect fit not only for the new social fabric of our family life but also to our sense of security and safety.

A dogs growl can turn a bear on its heels almost every time.  I’ve seen it before as our family dogs have protected us for years growing up on a ranch surrounded by wilderness.  We always had a great pack of dogs from large Alaskan Malamutes to little Cocker Spaniels.

Cola is a "Shepherd Mix".  That just means she’s some kind of hybrid breed of mostly German Shepherd and some Labrador...and some Retriever...and whatever else.  I actually don’t know much about what she is.  I do like what she does for us though.  We already feel safer to have the kids out playing and hiking around our open spaces.  She’s loads of fun and I know she’s started one of the best lives a dog could ask for.

I can’t help but wonder what Cola really thinks of her new Family.  I can only guess that she may identify with me.  I too got adopted into a great family as a young child.  I too was probably more “confused” than “mixed”.  Coming from a broken past can be hard but I've found that loyalty to my master, Christ Jesus, has allowed me to trust others with my life.  Ultimately, I’ve become what God designed me to be from the beginning...A Shepherd Mix. That is a pastor and a father, to be exact, with a mix of whatever else life allows.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
-John 10:11 (NIV)

My job is always to protect the flock, whether it’s my congregation or family.  I can only hope, that when needed, my prayers are enough to turn the enemy on his heels.