Dekker goes to church
Woof Woof! My name is Dekker. I am a service dog, and usually, in this space, I get to answer questions from humans. I used to think that dogs don’t have as many questions as humans, but I am beginning to think otherwise.
You see, woof, I follow my human everywhere. Yesterday we went to church, where I got to lay on a little rug right behind the organist.
Except the organist doesn’t always play the organ. Most often, she either plays a guitar or a piano. My human makes a lot of noise with her instruments too…along with a couple more people playing guitars or drums.
Sleeping in church
From my little space in the corner behind the musicians, I mostly sleep. When I am not sleeping, I watch people trying to stay awake.
Every now and then, everyone will close their eyes, and their heads drop…and then they all wake up simultaneously.
They call this prayer. I don’t really understand prayer. I used to think they were talking to someone they couldn’t see, and that is why they closed their eyes.
Listening with big ears
Perhaps it is, but I can’t help but wonder if they are listening to someone the same way I do to my person. Instead of closing my eyes, though, I lift my ears. Would you call this kind of listening “prayer?”
I guess people don’t use their ears like this. When I am home, I have two cats who both like to wash my ears. Perhaps if humans had someone to wash theirs, they could learn to lift them like I do.
I hear everything: voices, music, traffic, shuffling feet, page turns, and whispers, but I respond to very little. Mostly I am silent. I say mostly because there are those moments when my tail just won’t stop.
I want to be obedient and remain still. I really do. But sometimes it is very difficult. From my perspective, I see that humans have the same problem. I am sorry they don’t have a tail to wag when they like the music.
When I was born, I learned very early on that my reason for being a dog would be to help people.
Not everyone, though I am always willing.
Discipleship
I was prepared to be assigned to one particular person to serve for the rest of my life. One day I heard the pastor talk about being a disciple.
I think that is maybe what I am, though no one has ever called me that. I left my parents and my littermates to follow one person. Her most common command is “Follow me.” That’s my job – and she often tells me, “Well done!” and calls me good and faithful. Sounds like a disciple to me. What do you think?
Singing and Praising (Woof!!)
Sometimes in church, everyone stands, and they use their voices all at once. It can get pretty loud, but I never twitch.
Sometimes I don’t even wake up. When I was very young, I was given the label “bombproof.” I have never heard a bomb. Does it sound anything like the cymbals and drums at Christmas time?
It doesn’t matter, though. I am not reactive to loud noises, but I have seen people jump when the phone rings or a firetruck goes by with a siren. I guess humans are more sensitive to ‘bombs.’
There is a lot of singing in church—not a talent of mine! But I believe I would be a good drummer if I had the chance. My choice of instrument would be the Celtic drum because I could beat that with my tail.
While lying quietly on my rug, I listen to the music and wonder why I am never asked to accompany them.
Oh well…such is a dog’s life.
One day everyone was standing in a circle, and they sang a song. At the end, my person gave a command, and I added “Woof!” in what I hoped was my best singing voice. Everyone laughed. I am happy when people laugh at me, but I don’t think humans would have that reaction. They get embarrassed. Fortunately, embarrassment doesn’t affect dogs.
Forgiveness
Shame does affect me, though. Shame is one feeling that I notice canines and humans together, share.
What is it about shame that feels so awful? Is it that we might not be loved any more? Or do we feel such great sorrow for having peed on the carpet?
My person is fast to forgive me, but no matter how many licks and kisses I give her when she messes up, she feels shame, and it is hard for her to feel better.
Do people not forgive themselves? Maybe that is why they go to church. They are always talking about forgiveness there.
You would think she would learn. She wouldn’t make a good service dog without letting go of shame when she does something wrong.
I know I couldn’t pay attention to her if I spent my time feeling bad for something I did. Forgiveness is more important than kibble!! (And you won’t hear me say that very often!)
Communion
Speaking of kibble, I notice that they pass out a piece of kibble every week in church. At home, I get two kinds of kibble—but really, it’s all the same thing.
When it is poured from a cup into my bowl, it is my meal and keeps me healthy. But when it is handed to me, one little piece at a time, I know it is because I am loved.
Every time I receive this tiny piece of kibble, I turn my big brown eyes to her face and wag my tail. I watch people in church do the same thing…except they don’t have tails to wag.
Lessons learned
So what do I learn from going to church with my person? I learn that people are not a whole lot different than dogs.
They like to play and sing, and they communicate in different ways with what they can’t see. (I wonder if they can smell that which they can’t see?)
They learn to forgive themselves and others (I think dogs do this much better…but you didn’t ask), and they know that behind each piece of kibble is great love.
And they always have a good time when they get together. I wish I had a chance to get together with other dogs more often. In the meantime, I will continue to serve one master, to be good and faithful, to forgive her when she forgets my favorite after-dinner chewy, and to rest in her presence with love.
That’s what I have learned by going to church.
Woof!! Thanks for reading my reflections.
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