Only Rocks

Today, my youngest son gave me my Father's Day present. It was a small plastic box with two rocks taped on top. It was no surprise then when I opened the box...it was also full of rocks, different colors, different types. I absolutely loved this gift! For it was so much more than just rocks...it was...the essence of being a little boy.

When I looked at these rocks, it brought up memories of my "little boyhood." Playing in the dirt...catching bugs and snakes...finding cool rocks. I place a high value on those rocks as did my son when he gave them to me. "Here Dad, here's some really cool rocks...Look at them! "

I started wondering how many older guys would still find amazement with these rocks or just look at them as "only rocks". There is so much that I do not know about in this world, but...I do know that there are treasures all around for us to freely enjoy. Some are these sparkly...colorful...different shaped rocks.

When I see a grouchy old guy, I ask myself, "What happened?" I try not to judge him harshly, as I do not know how or what life has given him but...I'd rather have the heart of a little boy than the heart of a grouchy old guy.

I've recently met someone in another country who is like one of these "rocks." It's funny how dogs can bring people together. This individual has a true desire to learn all he can about dogs, their capabilities, their wonders... In comparison to the amount of people in the world, there are not that many people who have a true, honest desire to learn. So finding this guy was like finding a really cool rock...something of value.

We have treasures all around us, everyone does. As a rule, they get harder to see as you get older. Your day is full of these treasures. Can you see them? When I was my son's age I looked at dogs as "cool treasures." I just wanted to be around them. Not for any other reason but to just be with them.

The natural progression of life and certain people have tried to rob me of these simple joys of just being with a dog. There are many cruel and empty souls walking around out here. Souls who look at dogs as only a tool - to be discarded when no longer needed or useful.

Me...I like to keep the childlike joy close at hand when viewing dogs. Just like that bunch of rocks - they are common, but... It's up to you what value you place on them.

Thanks, Josh - you're right - those rocks are cool!

You

"Oh! Had I ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would today pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; its' crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced!"

Look around, people... open your eyes! Do you see what is happening all around you? The above quote was sounded out 157 years ago by a man named Frederic Douglass. Yet I believe it is more applicable today.

A lot of my articles will find yourself asking, "What does this have to do with dogs?" Well... plenty. When people change... dogs change. When our country is strong... our dogs are strong. When our country is weak... our dogs are weak. So how does a great country like ours grow weak? One individual at a time.

The wisest author ever has told us that, "the love of money is the root of all evil." Apply that to the economic bailout recently passed into law. Apply that to our government. Apply that to yourself. Everything comes down to one man... one woman. One person can,in fact, change something for the better. One person can indeed change something for the worse. But as more and more people become selfish and only care about themselves, society has no other avenue to take, but down.

Recently in Kentucky, we had an ice storm which caused extensive damage and many were without electricity for an extended period of time. My family went 18 days without power. This situation actually provoked many into helping others. Then, those that were helped, in turn helped others. People were thankful and considered how their neighbors were doing. Many, many acts of kindness were sincerely committed... one individual at a time. Funny thing is, my family enjoyed many aspects of not having power for so long.

Hard times bring out the best in people... and undoubtedly the worst. And as the hand of time moves forward, rest assured there will be many hard times for America. How will she respond? How will this country react? Most assuredly, it will be measured... one individual at a time.

Are you ready for the hard times? How will you affect America? Don't be fooled... though you are only one person... You... are.... America. You are part of the country. What you do matters. Who you are affects others around you.

So... look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Am I an American?" Or are you just into yourself? Everybody makes choices... good or bad. Our future will be the end result of these choices. The feeling of the nation will be quickened by the acts of... one individual at a time.

You.

Semper Fi...Evil Men...Muddy Fields...

The Marines have chosen this slogan, "Semper Fidelis" as their motto. It means, Always Faithful. Not sometimes, not most of the time, but all of the time..."Always Faithful."

In sharp contrast are evil men. For they cannot say that they are faithful to anyone but themselves. They pretend to be faithful. They say they are faithful. Some have even worn the uniform of a Marine but...they do not , nor can they possess this attribute of, "Always Faithful."

These words do, however, apply to dogs in the purest form. The other day as I was walking off a very muddy field with a good friend of mine, all this drifted into my mind. We had just finished training with our dogs in this mud. Good ole' sloppy, squishy, wet , Kentucky mud. This friend of mine, who is very faithful to his dog, could have easily stayed home in the comfort of a dry, warm house. But he knew that spending the day in the mud would benefit his dog...so he came.He is faithful to his dog and in return, his dog is "always faithful" to him.

When a true Marine says, "Semper Fi", it means something. They are not just words with no meaning. When you wake up your dog at 3:00 a.m. to go out in the cold and rain, and he willingly goes without hesitation...this means something. He is showing his faithfulness by being faithful. His day to day actions prove that he is indeed, "Always Faithful."

In my life I have met more than my share of evil men. They were very different in a lot of ways, yet they all shared this same attribute...they were not faithful to anyone or anything. They are like blood sucking parasites that go along with the host for a ride. They get their fill...leave their diseases behind...then they move on. This is what makes them evil.

Yet my dog...your dog will go out on any muddy field and walk with you, thoroughly enjoying himself with only your presence. Ahhh, the simple joy they must feel by being faithful. The contentment they have by serving.

Evil men, on the other hand, never experience this "contentment" from giving, as they are always taking. Not even comprehending that they are only destroying themselves. They do not take heed when GOD says that it is better to give than receive. In the end...they will pay for their deeds.

As for me, give me a faithful dog...a good friend...and a muddy field. God will deal with the evil men.

"SEMPER FI!"