My work days were sometimes long and rather deadline driven.  Not a lot of breathing room for downtime and much of my career was autonomous and I most often worked alone.  It was just my nature and the nature of my work and I valued and thrived in what I did.  I had a non-profit ministry at that time as well and was seeking the Lord for Wisdom and Counsel as to what was next. At the time my father’s health had been failing and he was currently in a care facility after a major stroke and injuries that had come with a terrible fall in conjunction with it.  He was mending and sounded weak but steady.  My mom was trying to deal with the love of her life going through all these things and was internally dealing with much.  I was on the other side of the country but I always let them know I was there for them.  I tried to keep in close communication but that is not the same as being physically there especially when things are difficult.  My parents were getting on in years and I loved them. The situation was weighing heavy on my heart and mind.  Along with other trials in life I now had this beautiful complex dog to care for and tried to carry on as usual. 

After work one afternoon I came home to Jasmine having acted out some of her internal stress.  She had clearly tried to dig her way out of the metal cage into the carpet, thankfully concrete was under it, and had chewed at the carpet she was able to loosen.   She had moved the cage from the quiet corner area I had it set up.  She looked stressed, concerned, frightened and panted in short quick breaths and was shaking.  I was not angry but I was very concerned.  “Wisdom and Counsel please Lord”, I sighed.  Knowing we should never strike our pets I offered gentleness and calm.  I had not experienced a dog acting out in this manner so I was determined to help and not hurt.  She was quiet and subdued except when outside in the back yard doing her “laps” or we were out enjoying trail hiking.  I knew something had to change with the cage.  I was discerning the metal cage was not a place of safety but a second cage to the one she was clearly dealing with inside.  I needed time to figure out what to do and to pray.  The name thing was getting on my nerves and I had already started seeking God, as He knew everything she had been through and what was best, to get that corrected.  A good name is important and conveys much more than something to be called.

I put her in the garage the next day as that was roomy, cool for now and safe if she needed to act out.  I did not want the cats anywhere near as I wasn’t sure what she would do.  When I got home I found she had found a way to escape from the metal cage and managed to chew through the monitors on the garage door. She was panting in those short breaths and looked like she wanted to run far and fast. This was not good.  At least she was not electrocuted and the cats were safe.  She had not shown one bit of aggression toward them or me.  Not one potty mistake. No barking or whimpers but silent desperate eyes becoming more demanding for help or escape.   I decided it was time for a call to the rescue to see if I could get more information and to tell them what we thought of that metal cage.  I had to leave a message and went about helping her and me unwind with a good walk, clean up everything, prepare us all a good meal, and call the garage folks to get the monitors fixed.

When I had a breather I texted my mom checking on them and to let them know how things were.  She gave me a short positive update and said she felt for the sweet girl and said she would be praying.  We exchanged short encouragement in Jesus and our love and I sat down on my couch.  I was finally quiet thanking God for His Plan and that He is always Faithful for His Peace and Security for all of us and for Wisdom and Counsel.  I know many people may find my seeking God so diligently in regards to animals and for names may be a bit unconventional but the Lord invites us to share everything with Him, He already knows everything and He is the only true source of Wisdom and Counsel.  He also has the answers…all of them.  He is my God and my Friend.  He cares about everything and has no ulterior motive and will always tell me the truth, His Truth.  

I began to think about names for her and when I was finally done trying to figure it out and was silent in my thoughts the name “Kaiyah” came to mind like a gentle breeze and I whispered it.  This is her name; I knew it like I knew my own.  I had never heard that name before, ever.  I had to say that could have only come from the Understanding Heart of God and I even knew how to spell it.  I went to look it up on-line and lo and behold it was Hebrew meaning, with God’s Help “one who has forgiven much”. Today you may find other meanings associated but it was clear then as that was all that was revealed from my research.  Jasmine was in the living room with me lying exhausted and still on the floor near me.  I got down beside her looked into her soulful pained distant eyes and said softly, “Kaiyah”… “Are you Kaiyah?” She immediately looked right into my eyes full on with a connected presence I had not seen until that moment.  She lifted her head and kept eyes locked, still whispering gently with long pauses , “Kaiyah…  sweet Kaiyah”…. “Kaiyah…Papa God’s Kaiyah… Alea’s Kaiyah… Esther’s Kaiyah… Gideon’s Kaiyah….you are our Kaiyah…you are Kaiyah….” She seemed to melt with peace at this name and the recognition and went to sleep.  I sat there petting her with many tears as I mourned for what she had been through to have such a name and thanked the Lord for His Kindness and for His Kaiyah.   This name unlocked an understanding of soul and I sat there a long time in silence.  I still felt there was more to her and to her name but I eventually got about doing what I needed to and then I heard in my heart… “Takota…Kaiyah Takota”.  I had to let that sink in as I had not heard that name either.  Having had a lifelong love and compassion for Native People I had absolutely read and heard the name Lakota with regards to the Great Indigenous People in the Great Plains but not the word “Takota”.  My heart skipped a beat as this resonated with a joy deep in me and I pursued understanding of this second name.  Yep, the spelling came with this one as well.   “Takota” is an Indigenous name meaning, “friend to all”. 

She heard me as I approached where she was resting and lifted her sweet face up to me.  It was beyond doubt that this name was hers and it was her story, her soul, her life.  Knowing this by faith, I knelt beside her, tears streaming again, softly stroked her head and then called to her affirming confidently and compassionately, “Kaiyah Takota” … “One who has forgiven much and friend to all”.

…Until we meet again…