Afflictions

The last couple of days have been rough. I had to make a very unpopular decision that angered and hurt a few people close to me. I had a puppy that was a rescue. He was the cutest ball of crazy fluff I have ever known. He would jump in the grass like a jack rabbit if the grass was too long. He was fiercely protective of the house and would bark at a car across the street. We always kept him tethered because he might escape and he was a little unpredictable, you never really knew if he would bite someone. Well, my 7 year old went outside to go pet the dog and I think he might have been sleeping at the time. It was a very hot day and he had been out on a long walk. Regardless nobody saw what and how it happened. She was bit on the cheek and it required 5 stitches. When I looked at the wound I could clearly see the dogs tooth mark deep within her cheek. I could understand if he nipped at her and just got her to back off. However, he tore her face open. You only get one face. Several years ago a person had told me that their family member was a high profile dog trainer and that they had told them if a dog attacks in a kill zone that they needed to be put down. A kill zone is groin, armpit and up around the neck where major arteries are located. On a small child, the face is close enough. Well after the ten days of quarantine was up I took him in and stayed while he was put to rest. He fought at every turn, he tried biting through his muzzle. He essentially fought until the end. Even with strong muscle relaxers in him. The vet clinic was very good with him even though he was attempting to bite them in the face and nose. They knew all too well that this needed to happen. In fact, every vet appointment and grooming appointment I took him to was about the same. I cried when the end finally came for him. It hurts to let go. People question me about this decision, but it doesn’t matter. I know that it needed to happen. There is more that has happened since then. People have their own views on things and don’t understand all the reasons why I do what I do. Heavenly Father knows perfectly though. He stands beside me even in my imperfectness. He has helped me feel peace throughout the storms I face. I do not panic because I know he is there and understands me perfectly. It is because I take the time to read and pray the scriptures that I feel this peace. I don’t always handle things the way I should but he accepts even my smallest of efforts even if nobody sees them.