Tuesday With Teri

          The other day I went for a jog.  It was not complete drudgery since it was when the hubby and I were at Spanish Cay Marina in the Bahamas.  I have been trying to jog a bit whenever possible since sometimes it is hard to exercise on boat trips like this.

         Spanish Cay is a privately owned place, which simply means there is not a lot there in terms of development.  However, it is beautiful, like a nature preserve.  I was trudging along the only road/path on the island, headphones blaring Mercy Me music, when a shape came up behind me and startled my heart to a whole new  aerobic level…it was Hurricane.

        Hurricane is a potcake.  Potcake is a term used for any kind of wild dog in the Bahamas.  The islands are almost overrun by dogs of mixed breeding.  There are even rescue groups and organizations trying to encourage neuter and spade practices in the local culture.  Some of these dogs are sad sights and severely neglected, others are thriving and happily wandering the streets and finding handouts and attention.  I think the word “potcake” comes from the practice of feeding them with scraps from the dinner pot.

         Hurricane came to Spanish Cay as a foster rescue dog.  During Hurricane Irene one of the marina’s managers received a call from friends running an animal rescue.  They needed a foster home for a puppy.  There was an interested owner, but due to the weather, they could not return to the island for a few months.  No surprise that once the folks at Spanish Cay had little Hurricane in their midst they fell in love and he would eventually call it home.  He is now much bigger and certainly healthy.  Hurricane has known grace and love.

         Hurricane pounced alongside me with typical puppy enthusiasm.   I’ve never had a dog run with me, it was kind of cool.  I’ve seen other runners out for a jog with their dog and always thought it looked fun…just not likely to happen for me since my porky yorky, Hughie,  not much of a runner,  even if I am slow enough for him.

        Hurricane kept pace with me for a while before moving on ahead.  He stopped and looked back over his shoulder at me several times before disappearing over a hill.  I appreciated his company and that he seemed to care about what I was doing and where I was going.  That matters.

       I thought of Hurricane when a loved one of mine was sharing about a very difficult time she is going through.  In the midst of having a lot to complain about, she was quick to say how much support and love she had around her through family and friends.  That matters.   God knows we all need people around us who care what we are doing and where we are going.

        We’ve  met other boaters who shared they had been friends for over 40 years….met in 2^nd grade and had seen each other through every aspect of life it seemed.  At our current marina, I met a woman who has been meeting the same group of friends here since 1975!  I watched them gather for dinner at a table near ours, and thought of the friends God has set by my side.  I am thankful God has placed people in my life who care about what I am doing and where I am going.  That matters.

        Hurricane was a frolicking furry reminder of the importance of knowing someone cares what you are doing and where you are going. 

Lord, thank you for those you have placed in our lives that care what we are doing and where we are going.  Help us to be that person for others, to care for our loved ones and friends in such as way that they too know someone care what they are doing and where they are going.  It matters.