Audrey is my four legged and hairy child.  We got her last September and today is her first birthday!

One of the things I miss about living in a house is a yard to let the dog out to do business.

Living in the condo, we have to walk her on a leash at all times, in designated areas and of course, clean up after her.

There are times that I rather enjoy taking Audrey out for walks.  Usually there isn't anyone else out there and it can be kind of relaxing.

However, she's not 100% perfect on a leash and it can seem more like she's walking me than the other way around.

One evening walk was just like that and it occurred to me that we should follow God, just like I was following Audrey.

Wherever Audrey walked, I followed.  I was, however, holding onto her leash so it wasn't too difficult.

And while this is a good illustration, a new thought hit me just as quickly as the first.

"No, dummy. The dog should walk right beside you, just as we're supposed to walk by our Master."

The only way I can get Audrey to walk beside me is to hide treats in my pocket, but then she's just sniffing my pocket and not taking care of business.  And, since she's on a food trial for a sensitive tummy, she gets nothing but her food and ice cubes.  Ice in the pocket isn't a good idea.

Audrey does not like to be alone.  She wants to be with her Masters.  She wants to be touching us; whether it's laying across Danny's lap or touching our feet, she likes to be close.  At night, she sleeps on my side of the bed and half her body underneath the bed.  If we move, she moves to see what we're doing.  She is in tune with us.

Lessons from my dog for a relationship with my heavenly Father:

• My Father provides for me; food, water and shelter.
• My Father blesses me with love, with chew toys (new shoes), and with treats (new shoes).
• My Father wants to spend time with me, to walk with me and sometimes, He may even have to clean up after me.
• My Father knows me and hears me when I bark, I mean call.
• My Father leads me and keeps me safe.
• My Father cleanses me on the outside, but also on the inside.

I want to know my heavenly Father like Audrey knows us.  But, like Audrey, I need to work on how much I try to pull God where I want to go and how fast I want to get there.  I need absorb that it's okay to stay by his side and let him lead me.

After all, Father knows best and it would seem Audrey does too.

Happy Birthday, little girl, and thanks for the joy you add to our lives.  You are loved!