Fur-Giveness

Dogs are always amazing, because fur-giveness / forgiveness is in their nature.  You don't have to ask for it, although I have. An example, I have stepped on Sam's paw, by accident, he is little and he loves to get under my feet. I apologize to him and rub his foot, but here is the truth; I don't have to do this, any of it, and he would be just as ecstatic to see me, as he always is. It is literally in his nature.  (By the way, the pic this week, is Sam, otherwise known as Samuel Samson Lee Bishop!)

Dogs tussle with each other, learning boundaries and pack positioning, but once the noise is over, they settle in and life goes on. They don't harbor resentment, and if anything, they respect what has happened. 


​People, now we are a whole other animal - ha ha! 

We have much to learn about forgiveness. Where dog's let go pretty much right away, we hold on to things. We spend precious time trying to figure out what whatever has happened might mean and we assign meaning to it, as if we actually know! Often we don't address what upsets up, instead we shove it down. We treat apologies as if they are precious metals only to be given out when someone grovels appropriately at our feet! Ok, I'm being a bit dramatic. But, I think I make a point.  

If we are in the wrong, we apologize, but mostly because we think we are supposed to, it's social etiquette but more often than not, not genuine.  How can I say this? Because even though we say we are sorry, we end up doing the same thing yet again, more often than not. 

Dogs live in the present and live unencumbered by all the stuff we dwell on, hence forgiveness comes naturally to them. They never carry a heavy heart filled with resentment. What would life we like if we all simply practiced forgiveness that level of ease? 

Peace, Love and Wufs,

​Rev Deb Bishop, Sam and Chooks
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