Raoul’s Two Cents: August 9, 2024

Man’s Best Friend

I have been observing our two corgis for quite some time now and every day I’m realizing they’re so much smarter and more human than I imagined. As I pondered more, I’m thinking, they’ve always been smart. I just never noticed, appreciated or took advantage of this.

When I was a young kid (back in the Philippines), we treated our dogs like … dogs! Our dogs only ate left-over food which usually was hardly enough. Our dogs were always skin and bones. Often they were disheveled and were infested with fleas. Going to a veterinarian was unheard of. If our dogs got sick, that would be the end for them. Despite our maltreatment, they were super loyal. They would always be so happy to see us when we arrived and would sheepishly ask to be petted. They would only impose for more attention when we petted them longer than usual. Yeah, we were not great masters. We missed out on a beautiful friendship/partnership with these creatures. I’m not proud of it. But that was the norm in our society then. It was our loss.

Why did God create dogs in the first place? According to Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth to prepare a place for man (his favorite creation). He created animals to give man his first job which was to give them a name. God could have given Adam a catalogue of His creation but no … God granted Adam the fun of discovering, analyzing and categorizing each creature. Imagine this playful scene of Adam naming the animals:

God: “Okay Adam, I just created some animals with 4 legs. What do you call that big one?

Adam: “I’ll call him elephant! Because it says ‘Ele-phhhaaannt’ whenever it talks.”

God: “That’s funny. And how about this galloping one — with the long hair that soaks up the wind?”

Adam: “That’s easy. He’s a horse!”

God: “Of course! Of course! How about this one? It looks like a horse but its neck is so much longer?”

Adam: “Gee! It must be rough to walk around with a neck like that. That’s a “Gee-rough!”

God: (Laughing) “That’s pretty clever, Adam.

Adam: “Lord, can I request a special one? I want one that will be super loyal, will always know I’m the boss, will protect me, will play with me, will make me feel better by just looking at him … he should be small enough to bring wherever I go. He should never be jealous or threatened and will love me forever and ever.”

God: “Sure. I can do that. What shall you call him?”

Adam: “How ‘bout Doug?”

God: Why not just call him DOG … it’s my name spelled backwards. He will remind you of me because I too love you unconditionally!

Adam smiled and God created dog. And the rest is history … well at least that’s my story.

I believe God made dogs to teach us kindness, loyalty, and all those amazing qualities … to mirror God’s unconditional love for us so that we may pass the same to our fellow man.

And don’t be like me in my younger years. Don’t pass up an opportunity to develop a beautiful friendship.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

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“Dogs never bite me. Just humans.” — Marilyn Monroe

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” — Agnes Turnbull

“You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’” — Dave Barry

“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” — M.K.Clinton

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart.” — Author Unknown

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Ed of Studio City, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Video of the Week

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Sharon of Connecticut

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.

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