Chapter 15 – You Stole My Dog

God is Slow to Anger

Psalms 103:8

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”

Proverbs 14:29

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”

Proverbs 15:1

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

It was late afternoon as Kaiyah and I were going about our second “mission hike” of the day. It was still mild outside and we had ramped up our walks to include walking and jogging with occasional sprints thrown in for good measure. We both enjoyed that mix-up as it came with taking turns as to who would get things fired up or toned down. It was rewarding whistling her special tune, seeing her get ready, then I would call out “Mush Kaiyah, mush!” She would haul forward and start her teeter totter bounding across the soft sand. Or she would unexpectedly launch ahead and I would have to follow her. Then she would slow down, or I would say “Easy,” and that brought us down to whatever pace was the next least in speed. Sometimes when we would be doing the walk or jog I would chase her by excitedly crying, “Give me that tailie… going to get that curly tailie Kaiyah!!” After Kaiyah learned what that was all about she would kick into the funniest hop and sprint as I gently grabbed the end of her little tail… She would shoot out like she was in a race with a thoroughbred horse and would get into a full on gallop! I couldn’t help but feel laughter and joy when we would play mush and chase games. She would totally be having a blast looking at me sometimes just waiting for another go at the “whistle n’ mush” or the “tailie chase”. It was good fun and honestly a super workout.

Our bond was much stronger by that time and so was her confidence. I was grateful that a kind and pleasant lady vet had moved in across the way. She had encouraged me to let Kaiyah choose the path as that was part of who she was. I heeded her counsel and had begun to ask Kaiyah to take the lead in choosing the path on forks of trails. At first Kaiyah didn’t know what to make of it. She would just stand there looking back and forth, and then back at me.  In the beginning she would often just sit down and wait for me to do what I had been doing and that was mostly leading out our treks. With patience and encouraging words, and letting the leash out with no pull, she began to realize I was asking her make the call. Once she got that in her little head, her heart and body would eventually just flow with that decision and I would be right there with her. Blossoming and blooming was happening for little Kaiyah Takota and it was beautiful to be part of!

The same routine was in play on that afternoon when on our way back to the trailhead by our home, a fair haired young boy, about eight to ten years of age, moved toward the trail with what appeared to be his mother walking beside him. I noticed them coming across from the roadside and were slowly making their way to the bend in the trail and had stopped. Kaiyah and I were always careful in our approach as you just never know what someone might be up to, so we kept our usual cadence. I waved and followed the trail around as the woman called out, “Excuse me!” I stopped and so did Kaiyah. We turned to face them and waited a moment. The young boy snarled out with a red face, “You stole my dog!!!”

I couldn’t believe my ears! I felt dumb struck and a bit of anger rising up, so I immediately put to prayer in my heart asking the Lord for Help and Discernment; to slow me down inside, for the right heart, and how to respond to such a ridiculous and untrue accusation. I waited in silence and watched Kaiyah for any signs of recognition of them at all. I knew I had adopted her from a rescue and I knew what they had told me of her known history. I also knew of her myself but I wanted to allow truth to breathe into that moment for all our sakes. For me, stealing was against my God, and I couldn't fathom doing such a thing - ever... I asked the Lord for His Grace, and was silent. I asked the Lord for His Mercy and was silent. Kaiyah’s posture was indifferent; she showed zero signs of interest and zero signs of recognition.

We had been routinely on those trails for a couple of years so that was, in my mind - absurd. I looked over at the two of them and asked how they knew this was their dog, and they didn’t answer. Again the young boy cried out that I had stolen his dog. I spoke quietly and said that I had not stolen her and that she was adopted. I then felt a clear prompting to let out Kaiyah’s leash, step back about four or so feet from where she was laying down by that time, and politely ask him to call her to him. The fair haired young boy looked up at the woman beside him and she urged him inaudibly. He called her to come… no name… just, “come girl!” while slapping his legs to signal her to come. Kaiyah did nothing, not one thing. I waited, I watched and prayed. I prompted him to do so again and he half-heartedly did it with a very red face... Kaiyah did nothing at all except look back at me like she was asking me what this was.  I waited quietly and then slowly walked back to Kaiyah reeling in the loose leash and said that she was not his dog and that I was sorry for whatever happened to his dog, and that I would pray for them. Kaiyah took one look at me knowing we were done, got up and started toward our home. I said goodbye to them… They said nothing. I could tell the boy was forlorn, frustrated and the woman just put her hand on his shoulder and they walked away. 

That was one very strange encounter, but one I am grateful I sought the Lord for His Wisdom and Counsel on right away. I needed His Help and to follow His Example to be merciful, gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. Clearly they had a problem and a big hurt and I did not want to add to that at all... Being slow to wrath and being soft in answering was the way to respond. In that incident, praise God, I did apply that correctly and yet anyone who is close to me knows (as I do), that this lesson is still a work in progress for me. Kaiyah in her own way was a good example of being still, listening carefully and waiting in that situation as well. That life lesson also pointed out to me how important it is not to come at anyone hastily, especially charging someone with something you aren’t sure about and not to act hastily especially when hurting inside. 

As Kaiyah and I made the rest of our way down the trail and back home we both seemed to have to shake off that awkward experience.  Upon entry I gave her a big hug and thanked her for being so gracious in that situation and affirmed she was my Kaiyah and that I loved for keeps. I believe the feelings were mutual. I prayed for the woman, the young boy, and their missing pet again.  I had to forgive them and then surrender it all to the Lord. As I was about to get up from that moment with Kaiyah Takota and prayer; I was tickled by greeting kitty noses wondering what took so long and where was dinner! As I got that ready, my three furbabies were having their own little meeting about things and then quietly waited with eager anticipation except Gideon; he was the chief spokesman, who had let out resounding sets of meows: letting me know they were waiting, to be plentiful in kibbles, and then, finally, to announce the entrance of the descending food bowls. 

…Until we meet again…