All Creation Will Bark!

Kaz, the old dog was not likely ever going to win, place, or even qualify in another agility trial. He was happy and healthy for such an old boy at least I think he is a boy. He has so much fluffy white hair covering everything but his happy mouth that gender is hard to determine. The equivalent of a 90 year old, the old dog was willing, but his aged bones just couldn't handle the jumps anymore. But a prize winning show dog since puppyhood, he loved the crowds, the applause, the being the center of attention. He couldn't just retire and go to the Old Folk's Doghouse. So the owners put him in Rally. Rally is a performance sport where the dog must stay right on the handler's heel and follow his lead to trot, walk, turn, pivot, sit, etc., with no leash tugs. Leash tugs result in penalties.

We had a break in our agility schedule, so we hurried over to the Rally building, hoping to see our old friend, Kaz. You can always find the owner Darius in a crowd, because as he moves through the throng, every person is getting hugged by him. We had fallen in love with Kaz watching him perform in the agility ring. He was far from the most skilled dog, but he was easily the biggest crowd pleaser. I met Darius and told him how much we enjoyed watching his dog. To meet Darius once insures that you will then be a dear friend, receive hugs like his many other dear friends, and be the recipient of delicious baked goodies at every trial. Some people, and some dogs, just have a gift for loving others.

Anyway, we had no idea when Kaz's class was but as luck (read: God) would have it, when we walked in the building, Kaz's class was starting. We got ringside seats and waited.  We knew when Darius and Kaz were up soon, because there was a wave of hugs going through the crowd, followed by a bushy white explosion of dog fur.  From the moment Kaz entered the ring, he began barking, happily looking up at Darius and wagging his tail. He trotted joyfully beside him, obeying with only slight, tension filled delay, and then barking his delight. Every time Darius would tell him to sit, he would look at him barking and slowly, slowly lower his hind end. Darius would lean back with a hopeful look on his face further and further til I was afraid he would topple, and finally the old dog would settle, barking, his bottom down. Darius would spring straight again, with a relieved look, and move on to the next command.

He never stopped barking til he finished the course. When they were done, the entire crowd erupted in applause. No other dog had received that kind of acclaim. As they were leaving the ring, I saw the judge call Darius back and they had an extended conversation. I could tell he wanted to hug her, but there are strict penalties for bribing AKC judges and he held back.

As I hurried over to congratulate him on a very nice job in the class, he was beaming.
"We q'ed (Qualified)!" he said, hugging me and three or four other people at once.
"Did you get extra points for barking?" I asked.
"No, that is what the judge was talking to me about," he laughed, "She told me that I would need to get the barking under control if we want to advance, but that she would not penalize me for it since there were so many dogs just outside the ring. She assumed the barking was in response to that. I told her , 'Oh that isn't because of the other dogs. That is what Kaz always does!"

You have to love his honesty. The judge just laughed, and gave him the Q anyway.

It reminds me of when the Jewish leaders, dismayed by the growing, clamorous followers of Jesus, tells Him to rebuke them, to disperse, and be quiet. Jesus tells them,  “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) Can't you see the Pharisees scratching their heads, and wondering who is this lunatic that hears rocks talk? And what are all these rabble rousers excited about anyway- surely not this penniless, homeless carpenter from a little podunk town in the middle of nowhere?!

You cannot squelch the spirit that has savored the truth of his existence. All creation longs to speak with delight when they are walking with their Master.
I don't know how you tell a dog to stop shouting, "I am alive, and I am happy, and I am loved!" I suspect Darius doesn't either, and I am not sure it is worth all the Q's in the world to do so.

Isaiah 49:13
 ¹³ Shout for joy, you heavens;
   rejoice, you earth;
   burst into song, you mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
   and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.