Sammy Story 21: God’s Object Lesson

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Sammy Story 21: God’s Object Lesson

November 9, 2020 | News | 1 Comment

Sammy is a wonderful gift. His very presence is a complete object lesson for me.
He came to us so wounded, so scared, so unable to trust. Gradually he has bonded to me so tightly and we are now at a point of being able to train. I didn’t want to be too firm or hard with him because of what he has suffered, so we are proceeding cautiously. He needs to know that he can obey and it is a good thing for him—and he will not receive more hurt, just because he needs to be trained.


There is a streak of brattiness in him, where he knows he is rebelling. Till recently, he has got away with it because a) I can’t move too fast or bend, and, b) he runs away and hides when he doesn’t want to do something.
The simple command of “Come” is our next hurdle.


So, how do you train a dog who cringes when you reach too fast to pet him? Who is not motivated by treats? Who will actually refuse to take a treat from you that he wants, just to show he is in control?
You can’t reward him with food (most of the time) and you can’t scold him harshly or swat his nose gently with your finger. The last two things make him more afraid and does not correct the behaviour.


He reminds me of us and God.


We come to God in various stages of hurt and abuse. We are afraid of love. We don’t understand it. We are small, and God is big and scary. We may understand, in a general way, that He loves us, provides food and shelter for us, but it is hard to let Him close.


God is patient to reveal His affection for us. With Sammy, bit by bit, I got in a few pats on the head and if I picked him up to cuddle him, he allowed it, because he knew I was bigger and could force him, but at first he only tolerated it, liking it against his will, but still resisting. I did it anyway, till he got used to it and began to realize that cuddling was actually quite pleasant.
He wouldn’t come close to get pet. If you reached down, he’d skitter away. If you were seated he would come just close enough for you to slowly stretch out and give him a little scratch on the head or behind the ears—just a bit. Then, if you shifted in your seat, or coughed, or the fridge shuddered, that was it—spook! Run away!


It was coming to the time when he was secure enough in my love to begin to train him. How in the world was I going to do that?

About Author

about author

Lou Rider

Mary Lou lives in Central Alberta with her awesome husband Theo and their rescue-dog Sammy.