Day 890

Gentle beasts…they have the power to hurt, but choose to love. None of my Goldens have ever chosen to cause injury (except to scratched doors, chewed stuffies and torn kitchen floors) and I trust them always.

Today, Ranger and I were walking the halls at Mercy when we came upon a young family with their toddler. The parents asked if she could pet the dog and I told them, “Yes, of course. He is a gentle giant.” They brought her forward and guided her little hand to stroke Ranger’s big head. After about 10 seconds, she threw her arms around his neck and yelled, “Puppy!” Ranger reacted with a quick lick to her forehead and stood still…just like the elder statesman he is! I wasn’t worried for a second and the parents looked on with adoration. They could see the big dog had only patience and love to offer.

Like the Goldens, we all have the power to hurt another. It would probably be delivered in the form of words…which can sometimes be more painful than a bite. “Biting words” can be thoughtless or chosen to inflict pain in the recipient’s heart. Either way, they are a choice.

We all have experienced pain from words thrown in our direction. Perhaps, we can remember a time when we were the ones to inflict that pain. Again, choices play a big part.

The older I get, the more Golden I try to be. Saying hurtful words is no longer a choice in my life. We all have the power to hurt, but choosing to love makes the world so much better…and more Golden.