When life is perfectly in sync and has been flowing seamlessly for a while…get a puppy. This will make you appreciate all the time you had to keep everything in balance. I woke up this morning and popped a K Cup in the Keurig, and sat down with a steaming cup of Vanilla Biscotti coffee. This is when I start my time with God, before I’m fully awake and my brain starts spinning off the schedule for the day.

We brought a puppy home yesterday, so this morning I sat the cup of coffee on the chair side table and grabbed him out of his kennel before he pooped. I’ve had a ranch, so poop doesn’t bother me. It’s how it’s arranged and where it’s placed that bothers me. I grab little Augustus, Gus for short, and outside we go.

He is learning that this makes me very happy when he goes outside. He is also getting the hint I’m not so happy when he pees or poops on the carpet in the den. It’s a process and a big learning curve for Gus and me. Being an Australian Cattle Dog, I know he can get this. If his ancestors can herd cattle, Gus can poop outside.

When we purchased this little bundle of joy, my daughter and I went to the store to look at toys. The after Christmas aisle had one Snowman chew toy hanging all alone, so of course, we had to get it. Gus loves his Snowman and chews on it instead of us.

What I learned this morning, as I sat with a puppy curled up in my lap, sipping my still warm coffee is….God is not going to leave me. That is a promise my friend. I may have to alter my schedule a for a little while, but Gus is not going to be a puppy forever. Just like children, they grow up fast, and we tend to their needs a lot like a baby.

Life is short. We are to savor every moment and see the beauty in it. The pee spot he made on the carpet right after coming inside may not look like beauty, but that’s where the paper towels covered in cheerful looking Snowmen will help.