We all have a purpose, we might struggle with that because we want to be like everybody else, but our purpose does not change. I think at times we want other people or other things to be what we want them to be, but their purpose is not changed because of our own personal wants.
Twelve and a half years ago I wanted a new Labrador Retriever puppy and obviously I wanted it to be a hunting dog. I searched and I found an extremely well-bred litter in a neighboring county about an hour away. I was excited at the prospect of a new hunting companion.
My young nephew had just come to live in Midville with me and my parents. He had never held a puppy much less had total access to one. I loaded that young boy with me to go and pick up the puppy. I let my nephew pick out the puppy.
We headed back towards Midville, and my nephew had that puppy in his lap. That child had a smile on his face as big as Texas. The puppy was sound asleep, but she had brought great joy to a
Young fellow.We got back to Midville, and my nephew was ecstatic! He wanted to go show his granny and papa the new puppy immediately. My daddy was on his death bed, but that little puppy brought great joy to my daddy. He grinned and laughed at that puppy the same way my nephew had been doing on the way home.
It warmed my heart! A puppy brings joy like nothing else on this earth. My daddy passed away not long after that, but I was so thankful that the new puppy had put a big smile on his face. I took the puppy to see my mama a lot after my daddy died and that same little puppy helped to ease her pain.
I had begun the training process with the new puppy. She was so smart and I thought training her would be a breeze. Training her proved to be ineffective because she would not retrieve. She wouldn’t get in the water. I was heartbroken. I soon realized that retrieving was not meant to be her purpose on this earth.
I loaded that puppy up in my truck and took her to my mama because I knew where she was meant to be. In my daddy’s absence that puppy became my mama's constant companion. The two of them went everywhere together. They went to Walmart and they went to the bank. The ladies at the drive-thru always carried on about that dog. Those same ladies always had treats for her and could not stop talking about how sweet she was.
My mama was so proud of that dog. Mama and Hattie Mae would go to Burger King. Mama would get Hattie a hamburger every time! Hattie loved to look at cows and mama would ride her by cow pastures so she could see some cows. Mama said Hattie would sit up in the seat and smile.
In all honesty, I don’t know if my mama would have made it without that dog. The two of them were inseparable. That dog kept my mama alive and the love they shared was a beautiful thing to watch. I still smile thinking about Hattie on the front seat next to Mama headed to town.
When my sweet Stella came along Hattie became her surrogate mother. She loved that puppy immensely. Hattie would let Stella chew on her, bite her and she never barked at her even once. Hattie has always loved people and other dogs. She has always been a very special gift to my family.
My daddy passed away. My nephew died tragically. My mama died. Hattie was left here even though the ones she loved the most were gone. After mama died, I took Hattie to the kennels. I put her in a pen next to Stella. I would let them both out every day to play. They were so happy.
The day came when Stella left this earth, but Hattie still remained. I told Hattie “it’s just me and you now” she smiled at me. Every day I let Hattie out to play, but she stays right by my side. I wash kennels and feed up with Hattie taking every step I take.
We could all take lessons from this old dog who has turned gray in the face, but her heart is bigger than ever. Hattie just goes on, despite the loss of so many. She is happy and content with her tail constantly wagging. always smiling and always ready to share her love.
By the grace of God I have a new puppy, I got a yellow dog this time. It has been 30 years since I had a yellow lab. When I got back home this past Saturday from picking up the new puppy I went immediately to the kennels so Hattie could see the new baby. I realized that Hattie's work is not through because she’s got one more baby to raise.
I wanted Hattie to retrieve birds. I thought that was her purpose. I could not have been more wrong. Her purpose was much greater than I could have ever imagined. Hattie was sent here to share her love and be a blessing to my family. She was also sent to teach me what love looks like in its purest form. She has had a different purpose.
