Sunday, October 05, 2008

STORY....Puppy Size.....

"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer. "What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked. "Puppy size!" replied the mother.
"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for," "I know we have seen most of them," the mom said in frustration. Just then Danielle came walking into the office. "Well, did you find one?" asked her mom. "No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed, "You never know when we will get more dogs." Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one the weekend," she said. Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added. Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors were't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, but you're not the one." It was the last cage on the last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage for and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" She screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said. " No not SIZE.... The SIGHS. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sighs!" The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to the child, she did a little of both. "Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy comes home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, "Mom, he loves me, I heard the sighs of his heart.

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

18 comments:

Patsy said...

Clara that is beautiful.
Patsy

Anonymous said...

Lovely story and lovely post, Clara. And so true. We do sigh in sweet satisfaction in the arms of those that love us. And how sweet and blessed are the sighs of our Lord.

I loved this, Clara. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Clara, I can't decide with I enjoyed most, the music or the post! Thanks for both.

Margie's Musings said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Judy said...

Clara, This is so beautiful. I just loved it. We all need to stop and listen for the "sighs" more often and appreciate them, too. Your blog looks wonderful. I see you figured it out. Sorry I could not be of more help to you.

Frank Baker said...

A touching story. I love it.
I also like the new heading of your blog. It make me homesick for the Blue Ridge area. I also have a new heading; no fall colors, just snow white. check it out.

bobbie said...

What a very lovely story, Clara.

Grammy said...

Beautiful Story...lovely music!
thank you for both. Sighs are so important, aren't they? Sighs of contentment can never be underrated.
Love,
Grammy (aka Ruby)

Moobear said...

Hello friend across the mountains! I love the new "YOU" but I am unable to hear the music :( Although I had read that before, it still started my day off feeling good about life. Take care and let me hear from you sometimes. All is well here.

Moobear said...

Sorry Clara, but I left and came back and had music and yes it is beautiful too!

Jamie Dawn said...

Awwww...
Sigh...

:-)

Very sweet story, Clara.
Have a good week.

bobbie said...

Clara, I have to answer your comment on my post today. I do remember the feed sacks. I so envied the little girl in my class who wore dresses made from them. And they were beautiful! A few years later they became quite the vogue in our school, and I made many things from them.

Rachel said...

What a lovely story!!

Cathy said...

Hello Clara
I really enjoyed that post.
With all the gloom and doom around it makes me feel a lot better.
Take care
Cathy

Mountain Mama said...

What a sweet story!
It's getting cooler here too. And yes I did get out my heavy quilt. We've had heavy frost a few times already and today I finished harvesting my garden. Time to put it to bed for the season.

3 Magpies said...

Sweet, sweet, sweet... From the mouths of babes...

Sharri said...

Oh Clara, that was precious!

And your site looks divine!

Latane Barton said...

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