I am the first to admit that I'm not currently involved in any official local mission iniatives. Having young dogs that need lots of exercise and attention is a lot more responsibility than having a 15 year old, 5 lb. dog! Side note: If you aren't prepared to give a pet the exercise and attention it deserves than do it a favor and resist the temptation to adopt a puppy just because it's cute. I spend a lot of my "free" time walking my dogs in my neighborhood and visiting with various neighbors and I really enjoy it. It's relaxing.
I usually stop and let the kids in my neighborhood play with Roscoe and Peaches. I want my dogs to be good around kids so this time is great for the kids and for the dogs. Peaches LOVES these kids which is amazing because Shrimp hated people...especially kids! Peaches chases them, licks them to death, and jumps all over them. She (and the kids) are in heaven. There is a single mom with two sweet kids that have really taken to Peaches. They liked Roscoe when he was a puppy but they were a little intimidated when he got bigger (they are fine with him now). I've gotten to know them better in the last month or two. Her son even told her this weekend that he didn't want to move because he didn't want to be far away from Peaches. He literally RUNS to her when we are out walking screaming, "Peaches" at the top of his lungs.
There is also a family with 3 kids. One of the kids is from a previous marriage. His mom lives in Kentucky so he is living with his dad and step mom and I believe the other two kids are the husband and wives' shared kids. I sense this little guy (maybe age 9) is really lacking attention and is feeling a little displaced living with dad and step mom.
Over the past 5-6 weeks that I've had Peaches he has been warming up to me. This week he asked his dad or step mom if he can walk Peaches (with me and Roscoe) a few times. At first I was like, "really, why can't I just quietly walk at my own pace without this tagalong who I am constantly having to tell to get out of the road when a car is coming!" But the things he's been sharing with me is letting me know that he just really needs someone to talk to. He was held back from whatever grade he's in. He made horrible grades last year but now is doing good (since it's a repeated year I would hope so). He needs to be praised for doing a good job. He wants to work at a pet store when he grows up but doesn't want to own it or manage it because "he doesn't think he could do it." Poor guy has such a low self esteem.
I just couldn't imagine being 9 years old living with my dad, his new wife and THEIR kids while my mom is 2 states away. So I've decided that I've got to be there for this kid. I've got to ask him about his school and encourage him and build up his self esteem. Kids always let their guard down when animals are around and he clearly feels comfortable around me. One night this week his step brother wanted to walk with us so of course I had to tell them that they had to take turns walking Peaches and I could tell that he did NOT like having to share that time with him. (I won't let them walk Roscoe since he's so big and pulls on the leash so they can only walk Peaches).
I don't know if or when I will ask his dad if I can bring him to church with me but I do feel like he was placed in my life at this time for a reason and I pray I am open to whatever God calls me to do even if it means I can't enjoy a peaceful walk with my dogs or spend a Friday night taking him for ice cream or something. It's funny because I have never liked boys (kids) except John Jr. the boy I babysat for several years but God keeps placing little boys in my life lately that have stolen my heart.
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