Climbing Fences
Right before the dreaded Corona Virus pandemic hit the United States my family made the life altering decision to watch the movie Togo. Interestingly, enough it is based on a true story set in 1925 during a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska primarily impacting the children of that community. The closest that planes and trains could get to Nome was Nenana—674 miles away from Nome. Several teams of sled dogs - many Siberian Huskies - composed a relay to trek through the Alaskan tundra to deliver life-saving medication to Nome. A sled dog team led by Togo and his owner Leonhard Seppala travelled an amazing 264 miles, while the other teams averaged 31 miles. Balto was a part of the team that made the final leg of the journey and became the face of the rescue. Most believe 12 year old Togo, a Siberian Husky, was the real hero. To honor the bravery and sacrifice of all the people and dogs that sacrificed they hold the Iditarod race each year from Nenena to Nome.
It wasn’t the connection to the pandemic that changed our life. It was the fact that my then 13 year old daughter got the itch for a Siberian Husky. Actually it had been there but this just added fuel to the fire. Truthfully, her dad had always loved Huskies, too, but it makes a better argument to say it was her fault when we eventually made the life altering decision to purchase a Husky. Within days of watching the movie we discovered a breeder within a couple hours of our house who actually had a couple of dogs in the movie. So we thought it a good field trip for the kids. Turned out to be one of the most expensive field trips of my life. In fact, the bill is still adding up.
Huskies are beautiful, and our Nova Storm is no exception. She looks like a fluffy little Angel. But her name suits her well. She only likes chew toys that will shred into a thousand pieces…or whole corn cobs that go straight down the pipe without chewing (add to the vet Bill for that surgery). She likes to find her way into places she isn’t supposed to go. Under beds and beneath recliners are often her hiding places - especially if she has found an object to shred, of course. She will try to dig her way out of the fence when outside which is easily fixed with some concrete (add to the bill).
Now that we have moved into a new home we are once again trying to maintain the yard so as to keep her in the fence when outside. We finished fencing in the yard and most of the fences around the yard are 6 feet. That seems like a good enough fence. It might be for most dogs, but not a Siberian Husky. At our last home she could climb a six foot fence because it had the crossbars. At this house she has simply learned how to run up the six foot fence without the crossbars and hangs over the top with her front paws. Now, I am considering how to keep her wrangled in this well-fenced in back yard. The choices include installing a coyote pipe across the top, an electric wire, an underground fence to compliment the six foot fence, or some other wireless options. Basically - add it to the bill.
So why do I tell you this story? There are several lessons I’ve learned through this process and maybe at least one will help you this week.
DETERMINATION - I will forever link the concept of determination to Huskies. I’ve always thought they were beautiful and majestic but I’ve never seen a more determined creature in my life. If she wants something she will stop at nothing to get it - mainly the squirrels that have abandoned our backyard for the neighbor’s yard. Huskies are hard to train but it’s because they know what they want and they go for it with reckless abandon. Want a glimpse of that - watch the movie Togo. It should have been a warning to us. But truthfully, I sometimes wish I had more of their determination in me - to stay focused on the tasks at hand and to put all of my heart and soul into projects. It’s easy to become distracted. I pray for more determination.
CONNECTION - Huskies are hard-headed, but also some of the most loving creatures you will ever put your hands on. They want to be with a pack - and my 5 kids and one other dog in the house makes a significant pack for her. If she isn’t with us she wants to be. When she isn’t climbing fences she standing at the back door waiting to come in and just lay around on the couch, recliner, or floor with one of us. If we walk outside she comes to us and lays at our feet to get a belly rub. Connection is huge for these pack dogs. Connections are important to you and me as well. Some people have attempted and succeeded in living life alone with no connections but people do not have that as our factory settings. If there is anything that this pandemic has taught us, it’s that we crave interaction.
CONTENTMENT - Finally, a little negative. Nova has everything she needs at our home. She gets fed. She gets petted. She gets played with. She has “brothers and sisters” that adore her. There is nothing she needs on the other side of the fence. In fact, she might find a very hostile world if she gets over it. Those squirrels might defend their space. The neighborhood families might not welcome her with open arms. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Yet, how many times do we find ourselves in that mindset? Climbing fences to get to a new space and more amazing place, only to find the problems we have there are all the same. Sure, no place is perfect. There are certainly blessings outside the world we know. There are also many traps and troubles. Too many spouses are looking for love in all the wrong places. Too many kids are longing to leave their home town for the exciting new places only to find that home was a pretty safe place to be. Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11).
So, do some reflection of your life today. Are you living a life of contentment? Can you see the blessings around you? Godliness with contentment is great gain so don’t forget to feel the blessings where you are. Enjoy the connections of the people that you have around you. Find friends and family to confide in. Cultivate good, stable relationships that will help you for years to come. Finally, be determined in your work. This doesn’t mean discontent. It is altogether possible to be content with where you are while at the same time being determined to grow and do better. You don’t have to be unhappy to be determined. So push yourself to grow, but don’t forget to enjoy the blessings you have around you today.
Ben