I love Mollie. She is sweet, loving, and protective. Having said good things about Mollie, I readily admit she has her issues. As a Ridgeback-mix with an unknown childhood (we rescued her from the Battersea Dog Home when she was six months old), she struggles with fears and pain that began before us. Her protectiveness is natural, however Mollie takes it to an extreme level. Anyone that is not formally introduced is an enemy. Small things are game to be chased and cornered. Nothing is to be feared!
Life is complicated.
It may seem complex to us, however to Mollie it is simple. You are friend or foe. You are on her side or you are the enemy. Nobody is in the middle. She knows the difference. You may thing the quiet dog with the wagging tale is a friend. I strongly suggest that one should never presume! If you were a friend, you will always be one. If you have not made the inner circle, beware.
Having said all this, I realize that I am in fourth place in her protection circle. From what I can see, Cherry is first, Carli second, and Whitney is third. I am ok with this. It is simply a reality I am learned to live with.
Life is filled with realities that are beyond are control. In and of themselves, they should not be classified as good or bad. They are simply the realities of our lives.
As I have accepted Mollie and her issues, I have come to realize that I have an opportunity to accept the reality of my world and communities.
You and I have the reality of an echo captured across history. Paul’s old comment still rings true; “All I am saying is that when you marry, you take on additional stress in an already stressful time, and I want to spare you if possible.” (1 Corinthians 7.28)
Another echo still rings true. You and I are God’s beloved. We are children of God. Divinity lives within us.
Reality and Hope know each other well.
