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.