Why Dogs Love Easter (and Spring)

The comings, goings, conversation and laughter from the house next door rode the Easter breeze like personal nvitations to Buddy:  "Come in - pull up a bowl - eat your fill - lick my hand - scratch your back on the carpet - take a nap."  Never mind that Bud was supposed to be helping plant some of the first petunias and vinca in Northern Indiana.

Earlier this holy morning little girls with ribbons trailing down their necks and tied in crisp bows behind green and yellow polka dotted dresses clamored for attention next to little boys with spiked hair tugging at their first neckties.  Families gathered first to worship and then to fawn over the newest grandchild, laugh and eat.  Life and family go on.  Yes, Bud loves Easter and "Yes m'am, I'll have whatever you're having.  Put that dish right over here."

Spring (they say) has come to Northern Indiana.  While reviewing the late April afternoon breezes Bud's nose wiggles overtime, first embracing and then cataloging the location of each odor in a canine Excel spreadsheet. Retrieval is just a breeze a way. Our daily walks reveal the renewal of the life cycle of all plants and animals.  The buds of trees and bushes crouch in preparation for their great crescendo of color and fragrance - the resurrection of life. 

When it rains the sidewalks are busy with the journeys of thousands of earthworms scrambling foremost to find drier earth, but also to avoid the paws of the 72 pound Yellow Lab bearing down on them.  The dawn honking of Canadian Geese as they skim the rooftops in search of a pond and then using their wide wings as the original flaps to flare out and ski to a perfect landing.  Soon, Mallard ducklings will follow their mothers single file to and from the ponds as they learn the lessons of survival.  Bud recognizes and embraces this annual rite and plays his part in the balance of natural life.

Easter Scripture tells of the rising to life of Jesus from his tomb.  Death cannot conquer those who are alive in Jesus.  They will have eternal life.  It's easy to see this spark of life in nature and animals.  This determination to survive, to live on.  Humans are the only form of life that sins.  Humans are also the only form of life that know they are going to die.  Hmm. 

Bud lives each day to the fullest in balance with his abilities and limitations (remember he is not sad that he doesn't know how to open the refrigerator or drive the car).  We, however, live each day in fear of others (what they might say or think about or do to us) and regretting that which we cannot do.  Meanwhile Bud and his friends give us daily lessons for balanced living, without fear, pausing only long enough to say "Sir, I'll have what you're having."


Happy Easter

Bud  (and friend)