MAN'S BEST FRIEND!
Just after we moved to Oregon in 1970, we came home after church one Sunday morning and found our cat was missing. However we found a note that one of our new neighbors took her to the cat show in Medford. We ate a quick lunch and took off for the cat show. Our cat Cinder received awards in the Medford Cat Show for best of show for short hair. Her breed was 'Tortoise Shell'. Who knew! She received blue ribbons and even a years subscription to a Cat Magazine, which I gave to my mother. She was thrilled!

In our world, just about anything can compete for the grand prize. We have already mentioned a Beagle named Uno who took 'Best of Show' in the 132nd Westminister Dog Show in 2008. Women compete in each State so they can compete in different pageants for the most beautiful woman in the World, in America and Miss or Mrs USA. Men also appear in various kinds of competitions, including Mr. World! Go figure! I am sure that for those who compete and win, it is like being on top of the world or 'in heaven'. At least for a moment!

Jim sent Jennifer and me to the Humane Society to get a big dog that barks a lot. Unusual request huh? We had a huge skunk problem after our dog was killed on the highway. We brought home a Shelty mix who was not real big, but had big brown eyes. He was afraid when he met Jim but soon found him a kind master. Scruffy wasn't much in the skunk department. Alas, Jim had to kill all fourteen skunks himself, but Jennifer and I loved Scruffy. In spite of being no use in capturing skunks, Scruffy truly was a man's best friend.

We are all aware of animals who work with the Police Force, Fire Department and also in the medical field. Dogs have such good noses that they can be trained to detect drugs, bombs, explosives, cadavers and just about anything. I recently learn they can detect cancer in people! Don't know how that works but animals are useful to all mankind.

The tamed animal make good pets. Tamed animals are also comforting to the aged and those who are in poor health. A furry animal sitting upon the lap, where our first instinct is to pet their fur and to listen to the cat purring and dog enjoying your touch, is a good thing. The untamed animal is another story. "But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed, reviling in matters of which they are ignorant, will be destroyed in the same destruction with them, suffering wrong for their wrongdoing." 2 Peter 2:12-13a Peter is referring to the character and conduct of those who deceive others. We look upon friends and don't see their enticing unsteady souls. We can't perceive that their hearts are trained in greed. We fall pray to their silky, shiny coats and think we are comforted.

Our worrying about whether our pets will go to heaven should not take precedence over our hearts condition. "The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." 2 Peter 3:9-10a Peter is talking about our being prepared for Christ's return and getting sidetracked about foolish things.

My concern is not whether I will see my pets in heaven but whether I will see my loved ones there. My neighbors and new acquaintances. Those I fellowship with and those I served with in the past, at the workplace, at school. Those I run into in the grocery store and set by on the train or bus. The world is ready for the harvest, who is doing it? You or the deceiver?

Man's best friend can be a cherished friend or pet, but I think in the long run, when we consider eternity, our best friend has to be Jesus Christ; hands down! Jane Ann