Day 1061

In so many ways, dogs are not too different from people. Take confidence, for example. When sitting outside, sweet Gus always curls up behind furniture while Lilly fearlessly positions herself out in the open…she is a brave girl and also hates to miss ANYTHING! I respect both positions!

Depending on the circumstances, I tend to be more Gus-like on the bravery scale. Oh, I can be very brave in support of a loved one in need, but I am still more comfortable to be inconspicuously tucked away from the action.

My husband, on the other hand, heads right into the fray! As a Vietnam veteran, he has a real history of jumping into action. I admire and envy that confidence, but I am not wired that way.

There have been a few frightening moments in my life, but I am pretty good at avoiding a circumstance that would require me to be brave. There have been enough times, when my courage needed mustering, that have shown me that I am quite capable of meeting a danger head-on! However, the adrenaline pumping through my veins is not my favorite feeling!

Years ago, when I was babysitting a few blocks away, I tucked the children in, told them a bedtime story and headed downstairs. After awhile, I heard a noise outside and went to look out the back door. To my horror, as I approached the locked door, there was a large, human hand scratching away at the screen. I ran for the stairs to protect the children, but could hear the screen being destroyed. Frozen half way up the staircase, I had yo act fast. I realized that waking the children and hurrying them out the front door could end in disaster . Plan B was to call my dad! However, the phone was near the door (this was back in the late 1960s!) and I had to call for help! Taking a deep, ragged breath, I forced myself to run across the kitchen floor, grab the landline and pray the cord would reach my original hiding place! Whew! It did and I called my dad! He was there in about two minutes, but when he arrived the man had bolted away. At least I knew I would choose to stay and protect!

Whenever I feel like Gus and “hide behind a chair,” I remember back to times when I had to be brave. It allows me to realize that I can be fearless when need be…well at least brave enough to protect those I care about.

Now Lilly…her attitude is, “Bring it on! I am afraid of nothing!” She and Mac are my heroes!