Chapter 14 – Liftie Paw

God’s Hand is There

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

1 Peter 3:4          

   “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”         

1 Peter 4:9

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

Autumn had arrived and with it came Peter and my official wedding engagement. We continued our marriage preparations with Godly intentions, prayer and hopefulness as the day approached. We were excited and extended family moments had come with a lot of joy, hospitality, and sharing.   Peter and I had flown out to visit my Marmi earlier that season. With the grief she still was processing that was an especially precious time. Thankfully that visit provided a time of comforting and edifying that was so needed. It was a valuable opportunity for my mom and Peter to get to know each other and share opinions on a number of issues. It also provided me the important opportunity of taking Peter around where I had spent many years presenting him a visual to go with some of my history.

We also visited his family again, after our engagement and it was also very precious. They did everything they could to open their home and family to me. I was thrilled they didn’t mind Kaiyah coming on those trips and we had a wonderful time. She was like a celebrity dog, getting her picture taken and an endless array of yummy treats and considerate care attending her personal needs. She loved their little carpets and just found herself totally relaxed and enjoying the whole process although still reserved. Peter’s family was warm and thoughtful and they carried that right along into having Kaiyah in their midst. She had come a long way in her progress and did really well on the drives plus her little curly tail was evident. Learning her personality took many years as the healing of her little soul needed time and patience. I know that process well. I prayed often for the Lord’s Help and Discernment.

Kaiyah was more confident and yet never boldly went over to anyone. She would greet quietly from a distance and wait. Only with Raymundo had she shown such a boldness to approach. She also enjoyed Rachel’s company. Peter and Kaiyah were building a respectful bond and I was grateful. Having only experienced one canine friendship in his early years with a little sweet dog named Gina, he was careful and kind. I never pushed Kaiyah outside her own boundaries in socializing. She had a huge distance and was very particular in who she wanted to be close to or not and rightfully so. She would often quietly observe someone before deciding what to do or not do. As I observed her how often I would pray for God’s Wisdom and Guidance and that she would discover happy husky wholeness.

There came along an occasion that Kaiyah would have the chance to meet Peter’s sister, Nicole. It was late in the afternoon and rays of golden sun were lighting up the living room. There was the soft knock on the door I went to open it and welcomed in Peter’s sister. I could tell she was tired from her work day but her demeanor was always kindly, gentle and meek. She carefully chose her place to sit down and put her purse next to her feet on the floor. Nicole had seen Kaiyah on the way in as she was laying on the floor totally restful. She softly but happily greeted, “Hi Kaiyah.” I did my usual introductions. Kaiyah had lifted her head to make her observation, watched a few minutes then put her head back down quietly listening. I noticed Kaiyah was paying attention and wasn’t sleeping so I went and pet her as I often would do. After a little bit of catching up I went into the kitchen and got busy about getting things ready and such when I noticed Kaiyah looking over at Nicole. Peter, who arrived shortly before, and his sister were softly chatting and enjoying the quiet moments to just be. My two sweet boy cats, Gideon and Pumpkin, were just as friendly as they wanted and went about doing what they did. Pumpkin made sure to personally give the lifted nose greeting and swished his fluffy tail before cascading into his Pumpkin roll on the floor by Kaiyah.

The next time I looked, Kaiyah had made her way right next to Nicole and was looking at her intently. She sat down next to her purse with her ears straight up and head slightly tilted. Kaiyah kept looking and after about a minute took her right paw and offered it to Nicole in a gentle “handshake”, that action would become known as the famous “liftie paw,” and Kaiyah leaned into Nicole. It took me a few seconds to realize that special encounter was really happening as I had never seen her do that and definitely did not teach that to her. I remember very excitedly saying to them that Kaiyah had never done that before and acknowledged immediately the special connection. Nicole was gentle and spoke soft pleasant toned kind words of acknowledgement and stroked her fur and held her paw in her hand. That preciously sweet way she said, “Awwww honey…” was like good medicine right back to Kaiyah’s heart. The “liftie paw” session went on for several minutes. I was in silent awe of that connection and Kaiyah’s care for reaching out in this way to Nicole and for Nicole’s sweet response. It was wonderful to see. We all sat and took in the moment while Nicole continued to embrace the encounter with Kaiyah. And this was not the last occasion those two would have such a bonding time. It was becoming clearer to me that Kaiyah had her own ministry and her own way and mind about things, and that she was far more engaged at a depth way beyond my understanding.

The close of that lovely evening came with Kaiyah sitting by the door and watching her new buddy leave. She looked back at me and seemed to say, “That’s my friend.” After Peter left shortly thereafter, I sat down on the sofa and enjoyed quietly thinking over the evening and petting my sweet furbabies. I considered the importance of pleasant words and kindly actions and the testimony of both I saw between Kaiyah and Nicole. I had a curious moment with Kaiyah asking her about the “liftie paw” and that special interaction.

That night, before bed time prayers, Kaiyah surprised me as she reached up and offered me her “liftie paw”. She put her little muzzle right on top of the paw n’ hand pile and looked up to me with the sweetest expression. It was a treasured moment. I will never forget it and the stirring it caused in my heart toward my Lord Who is the most meek, edifying, comforting, hospitable Person in the Universe and Whose Hand is reaching out to hold ours right where we are. The Passage of Psalm 63:8 “My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right Hand upholdeth me,” was to me a wee reminder of God’s special Heavenly “Liftie Paw” that is always there for us.

…Until we meet again…