When we got our first dog, it was not an easy experience. But, we kept loving our dog ...and when it passed away, it was a very sad departure. We now have another dog, and she also takes us through the natural trials and tribulations.

My wife is especially good with the dog ...she is a great caregiver.  

She is not just good with dogs, the thing that pleases me the most is that she views all life this way (except for maybe spiders, but that hasn't prevented us from being endeared to the Spider-Man movies).   

In regard to children, one may also say, "With great power comes great responsibility!" ...but, it should not be looked at as having great power, in a sense, though our decisions and actions do have great influence.

And the right things and the best things in life are not always easy ...so, it is also important to have loving support to help make right decisions.  We understand that some women go through difficult pregnancies, then also postpartum depression, and a variety of other struggles.  They need the proper support and wise counsel ...which is often difficult to discern, as so many opinions claim to be wise when they may be otherwise.

There were no doubts with my wife.  Many people said they were envious of her for how easy she handled giving birth, and how she was so overfilled with joy that there was nothing but positive energy with that newborn.

Of course, I was overjoyed too.  That does not mean that I am not aware of the fact that many people do struggle with this.  There should be no lack of empathy ...and we should help them if they need it.  And we should encourage them to persist with the loving commitment of being a 'Mom'. 

I constantly hear of stories of the dedication and love given by an owner to their dog.  And I've heard of tremendous stories of the loyal actions of a beloved dog. But, when I say, a dog's owner ...it is not in the sense of ownership, as much as it is that the dog is considered part of the family. We should realize that it is one of the most damaging things in a society when a person looks at a child as ownership. 

What we really need to do, is own up to what we are allowing to happen.  We've made abortion a legal option.  That option has expanded to include late-term abortions, to partial birth abortions ...where the baby can be visibly seen as emerging.  I can't imagine the horrific act of something like that ...and now legislatures are even considering post-birth abortions.

We have to begin teaching commitment and responsibility ...whether it begins with pets, or some other form of learning.  But, we also have to teach about God.  If we don't reinstate the truth about God, our lives will be void of standards ...and have no basis for belief that we will not eventually destroy ourselves.

As a nation, we need not fall asleep. But, if we tend to nod off a bit, pay attention to the alarm. 

Do you instruct your child to save up for what they want? Yes, we give gifts ...dolls, GI Joe action figures, and dogs. Do we consider the value of each, or do we just give what every child wants?

And what is the proper timing for all this?  What do we give our children, and at what age?

Not to alarm anyone, but I think a dog is more than just a wonderful companion.  Our first indoor dog was a gift.  I made my feelings clear in advance, "If we do get a dog ...we keep the dog." If the dog comes to our home, then it becomes a part of our home.  Her name was Meadowlark ...and we called her Lark, for short.  She was a short-haired collie, and a beautiful dog.  We thought the short hair would be less messy for an indoor dog ...and it wasn't easy finding this kind of dog, but when we did, she was less than a year old.  We were told that the pups were both taken by a family, that later decided they only wanted one dog, instead of two.  So, Lark was returned ...and we purchased her.

I later came to believe that she was abused by her first owner, and felt that the people who sold her to us were not quite honest.  But, that didn't matter so much ...it only endeared me more to her.  She needed much understanding, and I was prepared to give it to her ...especially since she started out, seemingly not liking men.

She began by wrecking, chewing, or somehow destroying everything of mine.  I let the dog get away with way more than I'd let the children get away with ...as I felt she had been abused, and had to learn first that I was her friend.  The children already know I love them ...and understand what they should and should not do. But, we start with children the same way.  We feed and care for a baby ...we clean a baby's diaper.  When they begin to crawl, they get into mischief ...and we by all means, should be patient with them.  When they begin to walk, and can reach higher ...we create slightly higher standards of expectation.

What about standards and expectations for adults?  Yes, just like dogs are a commitment ...that is much of a learning exercise for more significant commitments.  Having children is a wonderful commitment.  And being married is a lifelong commitment ...that not only affects both the man and woman who join in that sacred institution, but it has a tremendous impact upon the children born into, or adopted into the family.

Care for your pets ...love your children more ...and maintain the marriage that God designed to make it all work.