Love Your Dog

I belong to an awesome Facebook group of Carolina Dog owners. I know lots of people don't believe Carolina Dogs are a breed, (yes N.A., I am talking to you) and I wouldn't either except when you go to the Carolina Dog Facebook page, every dog is identical to my Honeybun. If they aren't a breed, then neither are poodles, because they are just as distinct. They have a research page too, and there are people on there that have studied the genetics of dog fur for over 20 years. Some have studied noses! When I told that researcher my Carolina Dog had a liver colored nose, he begged for a picture. I sent it, and a long discussion of her genetic code ensued. Then he asked for a close up of her toenails. She has brown toenails, with one black one. I never even noticed that, but it all made sense to him, along with her liver colored nose. I am having a blast chatting with these folk. Meanwhile, I am in contact with a researcher from Scandinavia who studied the genetic proof of the Asiatic origin of Carolina Dogs. He is exchanging emails with me as I quiz him about his methodology. He is quick to admit that there is no genetic test for Carolina Dogs and doesn't seem at all nonplussed by my questions, which border on skepticism. With all the very deep struggles our family is enduring right now, this is just plain fun for me.

Meanwhile, Asherel and I both seem to have a mild flu. I am on the tail end of it, she is in the midst. So school is at a standstill. I have a chance to catch up to her in Moby Dick and slogged my way through another few hundred pages. Melville spends quite a bit of time discussing various attributes of the whale. I read carefully, looking for clues of symbolism. Is Moby Dick God? Look at this passage from Moby Dick:

“I know not even the tail of this whale, how understand his head? much more, how comprehend his face, when face he has none? Thou shalt see my back parts, my tail, he seems to say, but my face shall not be seen. But I cannot completely make out his back parts; and hint what he will about his face, I say again he has no face.”

I read that segment, and instantly thought of the following passage from the Bible:

Exodus 33:22-23 (NIV)
When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. [23] Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

There is now no doubt in my mind that Moby Dick is the symbol of God. I only have a few hundred pages to go before I know if God or Ahab wins. I suspect I know the outcome of this battle.

Melville, the author, is now dead. He knows the outcome of the battle as well. In the end, we all will. I guess the key is trying to live allied with the winner while we can still choose sides.

We may not see His face, just like Melville warns us, but the tail is evidence. Don't ignore the presence of the tail.

"What do the liver nose and brown claws and single black claw tell you?" I begged the researcher on the Carolina Dog Research site.
"That you should love your dog as much as she loves you," he said.
Amen. Good answer!

Psalm 24:5-6 (NIV)
They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. [6] Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.


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