Waiting for the call

Not content to rest on the humiliation of Lucky's last foray into the world of film and television, I decided to send his picture to the casting director of Theater Charlotte who needed a tan dog for the role of Annie's dog Sandy. The role seemed perfect for Lucky. They need a cute sandy colored dog. Now there is one small caveat. They want a well trained dog for a month of live performances and really, who could blame them?

Personally, I find training overrated. I like spunk myself. However, I sent Lucky's picture with the additional info that he can sit, stay, and come on command. I did not feel it was essential to add that while he can do those things, there is no guarantee he will.

Surprisingly the director wrote back. Lucky is nothing if not cute. I haven't been told whether Lucky definitely gets an audition or not yet, but I felt it was essential I do a little training just in case.

I brought Lucky outside with a fistful of top bribery goodies.
"Come!" I called, showing Lucky the liver snaps. Smoke shot out from his paws as he raced to the liver.
I shoveled a tidbit in his mouth.
"Sit!"
He dropped to his haunches before his drool hit the grass.
I shoveled another liver snap into his mouth.
As long as we have Annie wear a pocketful of liver snaps, Lucky could pull this off.
"Tell him to play dead," called Asherel,"That will wow the director!"
"Bang!" I shouted pointing my finger like a gun. We had actually practiced this after the commercial he shot a year ago since that move had not been in his theatrical repertoire back then. It would have been useful when he had ignored the "come" command and raced to the actors' lunch table and began gobbling up the roast beef sandwiches.
Lucky dropped to his side and lay his head down. His wagging tail did not give the full dead dog effect but it was cute. Audiences love cute.

So we are waiting by the phone, chewing our nails, which is good since our highly trained dog won't let us trim them.

I know we could be courting disaster. But life has been too calm lately with my son getting engaged and starting law school.

It is important to be alert and ready when the call comes. I do wish I had started vigorous training more than 24 hours ago, however.

Jesus gives us that same warning. Be ready, he tells us, for our lives may be called to account with no warning. We can fudge a little on the sit and stay, but smoke better pour out from our paws when He says , "Come!"

Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV)
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. [43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Nothing is impossible with God
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