This was my dog Tessa.Her mum was a German shepherd;
her dad was most likely a Labrador retriever.
She was my baby before I had any children
and she has long since gone. What a dog
she was. She learned so fast and was so keen
to please. Every time I picked up the lead,
she’d rush to my side, waiting for her
mistress’s commands. She would bark and
growl on command or be silent.
Tessa had a heart. She would face downanything I set her to. Whether it was a bull or
crazed cow with a calf, Tessa would be
there if I needed her. She would have given
her life to protect me, yet when my children
came along, she was gentle as a lamb.
If I was down the farm and Tessa was a long
way from me, as long as she could see me,
I could raise my arm in the air and then bring
it down with my hand out flat and she
would drop to the ground. She would stay there,
on that spot, until I gave another signal.
I could say, “Over” and Tessa would go in
whatever direction I pointed. She wasn’t
trained to work stock, but I had taught
her many verbal and nonverbal commands
that proved invaluable on the farm.
One day, we were walking around the farm
with our boss and I put Tessa in a down stay.
We kept walking and talking while watching
the hay being bailed. Then the tractor entered
the paddock where Tessa was.
As the bailer worked around the paddock,
it got closer and closer to her. Finally, the bailer
was heading straight for Tessa.
I thought Tessa would move, but she didn’t.
I yelled, but she couldn’t hear me above the
noise of the machinery.
Tessa looked at me, looked at the bailer then
looked back at me. She wasn’t going to budge
unless I gave her the command. The tractor
driver had to stand on the brakes and wait.
I raised my arm then slapped my leg and
Tessa flew to me like a bullet from a gun.
I can't help but wonder what God could do with
that kind of trust and obedience.
Dogs are the noblest creature in all God’s creation. We have so much we can learn from them.
Tessa has quite a yap on her. It must be a girl thing.
Just kidding. : )