I have never really been a dog lover. As a young child, I had an incident with a dog that left me fearing dogs. As an adult, I was forced into owning a number of dogs adding to my displeasure with the animal. Unbeknownst to me, I began to associate dogs and men as one and the same. More on that later.
One evening two years ago after climbing into bed, I saw a vision. It was of me snuggling with a German Shepherd puppy. I looked at the vision and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside immediately. Ahhh…what a cute little puppy. Then it HIT me…like a ton of bricks…jolting me out of warm and fuzzy land…that was a vision from Father. I was terrified He was saying…get a German Shepherd dog.
I countered with…I don’t want a dog. If that is just me and my flesh…just take that notion away. I knew it wasn’t me…but I was hoping. 😳
The Conversation Continues
The next morning, He started a conversation about the puppy again. I was horrified. I did NOT want a dog. He was not backing down…get a puppy.
I cried. 😭
I got online and began trying to find German Shepherd puppies. As I was sifting through the postings, I came upon the litter with my puppy. Because they were three hours away, I called and arranged a meeting that afternoon. As my daughter Hannah and I drove the distance, I asked Father what He wanted the puppy named. He responded…Tonto.
His reasoning…as always…multifaceted. One reason…I was the lone ranger and Tonto would be my sidekick. Another reason…he would be representing Father’s son. Father is the Chief and Tonto is His son.
Our Journey
My journey with Tonto has been a difficult one, but in the end…so very sweet.
Father has used Tonto to teach me many truths…about many things in life.
Tonto has also been used to purify my heart and bring healing in places I didn’t realize were broken.
When I started this journey with him, I was angry about being forced once again into owning a dog I didn’t want. At the end of our two years together, I had a complete change of heart and somewhere along this time, I fell in love with my pupper dog, Tonto. Having a German Shepherd dog has changed my life in a positive way.
Love is powerful…it can change a hardened ugly heart into something soft, tender, and beautiful. Love is beautiful. 💙