© 2016 Kebba Buckley Button, MS, OM. World Rights Reserved.
When you think of puppies, what do you feel? Does your face break out in a huge, soft smile? Does your whole body relax with joy? When you pick up a puppy, how do you feel? Do you feel love? I personally believe that the greater purpose of dogs on this planet is to express unconditional love. Read the following story and see if you come to share my belief.
There is an iconic story, author unknown, of a farmer who had some puppies he wanted to sell. One version goes as follows:
The farmer painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.” “Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.”
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then, reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?”
“Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here, Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly, the mother dog, followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.
“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. “How much?” asked the little boy. “No charge,” answered the farmer, “There’s no charge for love.”
This story speaks to one of the most primal instincts we have: to love and to be loved by someone who understands us. The puppy with uneven legs represents unconditional love. He also is a being that the little boy can pour out love to. The puppy will be receptive to being loved affectionately and will be expressing his love with warmth and affection. Think of the different personalities, enthusiasm, and receptivity of the different balls of fur rolling out of the doghouse. So, what are you looking for in friends and in loving relationships? Which puppy would be for you? Which friends are for you? Living by your values puts you square in Upbeat Livingsm! Make the choices that fits you best. After all, it’s your life!
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Energy – Peace – Meditation
- Kebba Buckley Button is a stress management expert. She also has a natural healing practice and is an ordained minister. She is the author of the award-winning book, Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br), plus the 2013 book, Peace Within: Your Peaceful Inner Core, Second Edition(http://tinyurl.com/mqg3uvc ). Her newest book is Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine, available through her office. Just email SacredMeditation@kebba.com.
- For an appointment or to ask Kebba to speak for your group: calendar@kebba.com .
Healthy Happy Loving Life! 