Tippy and Toby

My sister, Terri, is an animal lover.  Well, except for pigs and cats.  They are taken on a case by case basis.  But basically she loves animals and she has an especially soft spot for dogs.  (I will pause here to point out that I tell this story with Terri's full permission.  You know, in case there are those out there afraid to be my friend or hang out with me because you think you'll end up in a blog some day.)  Terri would probably have 78 dogs by now if it wasn't for Tippy. 

(Serious work Tippy on the left....playful happy hour Tippy on the right)

Terri found Tippy limping along the side of the road in Tomball with no collar on a few years ago.  We have a strict rule against picking up dogs without collars and tags because it's hard to find their owners and that's just a good way to end up with extra animals.  Like this guy.

 

Anyone want a Chihuahua?  Let me know!!  :)  Anyhoo.....because the limping was so sad Terri broke the collar rule and brought Tippy home.  After a little rehab and vet care and some failed attempts to find Tippy a home, Tippy became a permanent member of the family.  She is very lovely, sweet and protective, but Tippy does not get along with other animals.  In fact, the only other animal she gets along with is this guy, Toby.

(There is no work/happy hour Toby.  He looks like this all the time.) 

Toby is Terri's other dog.  She adopted him when she was in college.  Toby is some sort of heeler shepherd mix, which pretty much means he can chase a ball for 23 hours straight.  During the one hour he is willing to rest, he will demand your pillow.  Don't try to move him.  He will growl at you.  He's got one brown eye and one crazy blue eye.  He refuses to walk on a leash.  But I guess that works for some gals because Tippy will not attack Toby and only Toby.  As such, Terri has had to stop at just two dogs.  I have had, for many years, a theory about all of this.  I think God saw Terri coming (of course He did!).  I think He knew her heart (of course He did!) and knew where it was headed.  And so He sent Tippy.  Otherwise, like I said, 78 dogs. 

When Moses was getting ready to hand things over to Joshua, Moses reassured Joshua, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" Deuteronomy 30:8.  God knows who we are and who we're meant to be.  His word assures us that as much as He stands beside us today, He also goes before us with plans for us to prosper, to give us a future and a hope; to make the rough places smooth; the crooked ways straight.  The Lord that moved before Joshua and Moses also comforted His disciples, "In my Father's house there are many rooms...I am going there to prepare a place for you" John 14:2.  Our Father's house is one of many rooms indeed.  Enough for 78 or 79 dogs easily.  He knows the best and the worst of each of us and wants us in those rooms anyway.  We praise you, Lord, that as you have stood with us in the past and as stand with us today, you also move before us, in hope and in mercy, to prepare a way for us on earth and a home with you in heaven.  XOXO...Kelly