Boomer and the Backseat
How I’m learning to leap over my fear
I just couldn't get that pesky dog to jump into the backseat of my Jetta.
Boomer, my 80-pound black Lab puppy, is unabashedly the light of my middle-aged, empty-nester life. And as a proud "mama," I hate to admit he has some quirks. But he does. For instance, when it came to jumping into my car, I just couldn't convince this strong, obstinate creature he was physically able to do it.
Boomer's lack of doggy courage began bothering me. My husband, Rich, and I would see other pet owners at the dog park open their car doors only to have their furry ones—even tiny breeds—launch themselves in, eager for the ride home. Not so with Boomer. To solve our transportation dilemma, we always took our Trail Blazer instead of our other car. Then Rich would lift him in and out of the back. When my husband traveled out of town, I certainly couldn't manage that heavy lifting on my own. Still, Boomer refused to leap into my little silver vehicle, leaving me stuck with an energetic dog that needed exercise—for his sanity and mine.
I tried everything I knew to entice him—talking sweetly, tossing peanut-butter flavored treats or a seductive sock into the back, even getting into the back myself and patting on the cloth seat with a cheery "Come!"
To no avail. Boomer didn't buy it; he saw through my bribes with melancholy eyes that seemed to say, Why won't you just leave me alone? And he wouldn't budge.
But my husband and I were determined. We devised the ultimate fail-safe plan: putting Boomer's food bowl on the car's backseat in the morning, when he's ravenous for breakfast. We hoped his hunger would overcome his nerves and catapult him into the car. One successful leap and voila, Boomer would be "cured."
So one Saturday morning, I entered our garage with Boomer, who was happily underfoot, thinking I was taking him for a walk. As I waved the food bowl under his twitching nostrils, I saw him begin to salivate. Looks promising! Then I opened the car door and, with near devilish glee, placed the bowl out of his immediate reach in the back. "Aha!" I cried triumphantly. "Go get it, boy! Time to eat!" Then I stood back, waiting.
And waiting. Boomer glanced repeatedly into the car, sniffing, salivating, panting, pacing, whimpering, sniffing some more, rummaging … but definitely not jumping.
"Well?" my husband called from the family room.
"No luck yet!" I shouted back. "I hope he hurries up; I'm getting cold out here—and bored!"
An unbelievably long 15 minutes went by with dog food—but no dog—in the car.
"Come on, Boomer," I said, peeved. "You can do it. You're a big boy, for Pete's sake! You're just letting your fears hold you back from something I know you can do!"
As soon as I said those words, an inconvenient insight flittered into my mind. Lately I'd been agitating over God's nudging toward taking on the leadership of our church's visitation team, allowing my perceived inadequacies to stop me in my emotional tracks. Dithering over my decision to jump in and get involved, I feared failing or disappointing others, God, and myself. Wow, I thought, suddenly uneasy, am I just like Boomer? Am I talking myself out of doing something I can do simply because I'm afraid I can't?
Apparently Boomer was more interested in fasting than eating that particular morning, so cold—and convicted—I gave up the quest. But warming myself with coffee, I continued to reflect on the object lesson of Boomer and the backseat. In staying frightened by failure, I prevented myself from enjoying some of God's choice tidbits. What blessings—for me, for others—was I leaving untouched by my resistance? I knew Boomer could jump over this hurdle—perhaps, so could I.
This experience provided serious food for thought and prayer. In the end, I decided to leave my fears behind and climb aboard, to go for the ride by listening to God's call and getting involved. I couldn't abide the thought of being like my quirky, irrationally fearful (but lovable) dog!
And guess what. Boomer finally learned to jump into the backseat when a lady at the dog park tossed some kibble there. And now he can't be stopped. He even jumps onto our bed—at 2:30 A.M. Blessings indeed!
Blessings,
Has fear ever held you back from obeying God's nudging? With what kinds of fears do you struggle? And, if you have pets, what lessons have you learned from them?
Posted at 4:52 PM on January 7, 2008.
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Yes I have many times. Though I have had many fears in my life the biggest two to overcome is very poor self-esteem, meaning not allowing God's beauty show within me, and the hardest one to beat. DEPRESSION. It is of the chronic type and I have just now after more than 30 years of battling this disease I have finally found the right doctor and medication.
Praise the Lord I can now fully experience His love for me, and my love for Him and life itself.
Thank you Lord Jesus
Posted by: Paula on January 9, 2008
I am fearful of not having the stamina to go on this upcoming missions trip to India. I found a verse in Job36:11 Will you not trust God that His strength is great and leave your labor to Him? I am claiming and praying this verse.
Posted by: Kate on January 11, 2008
Wow, great story. Great lesson. It captured my attention from the first sentence. I knew there was something in it for me. Thank you so much for sharing that. I do have pets, 2 Schnoodles (half Schnauzer and half Poodle) and one is a 4 month old. I didn't make a pet connection, although I have learned a lot from them. What got me to thinking is the part about doing something you don't really think you're capable of. Am I really capable of loosing 200 lbs!?! Can I really eat less? Am I really going to get somewhere by riding my stationary bike? Naw, order a pizza and watch a movie. Yet, I am SO convicted about representing God in this body. I need an Extreme Makeover: Temple of The Holy Spirit Edition. I'm not even representing me in this body, or my husband, or family or fellow Christians. But I figure, well, I'm huge, that's all there is to it. I have such a negative, giving up attitude I get on my own nerves. If other people can loose 200 lbs I can too right? Well, we'll see. Pray for me please.
Raenell
Posted by: Raenell on January 11, 2008
Try a 100 lb (just 3 years old) Rottie.
Putting a seat belt on him is like wrestling with a greased pig. I DID prevail, Thank you Lord.
I read in the Bible we are to have dominion over the beasts of the field. In my case that means Rottweilers also.
God Bless you animal lovers.
Posted by: Christobel E on January 11, 2008
powerful image that will stay with me.
Posted by: Karen Carter on January 11, 2008
My dog is very old now. She is deaf and going blind but still very much loved and part of our family. She still lives with my parents so, this Christmas, it was wonderful to see her at the house along with all my other family members. Anyway as I live in South Korea and don't get home often, my family and friends were all excited to see me. I got many visitors including one man that I have been friends with for a long time. We have a very complicated relationship and many times I see him out of obligation rather than desire. He is not a Christian though wants to date me and we tend to end up in an argument. Afterwards I feel miserble and hurt ... My family know about my problems with this man especially my dog! She went hysterical at me as I was leaving with him and the next morning she 'told me off'! My mum says the Missy has a sixth sense when it comes to him (she only does it for him). She knew he was there without being able to see or hear him!
Back in Korea my Pastor told us how we need to be careful who we have as friends. Do they lead us to God or away from God? Do they lead us on a righteous path or lead us into sin? I realised that my dog was right - I don't need to see my friend again! She knew he was not a good person for me to spend my time with.
Posted by: Yvonne Abey on January 11, 2008
Great little story! It mirrors what I struggle with on more occasions than I want to admit.
I finished my Bachelors degree in 2004 and the Lord helped me all the way. I just finished my Masters before Christmas and the Lord has been totally faithful in helping me at every turn- even with a 4.0! So why would I struggle with self doubts about my new position at work?
Satan knows our weak spots and preys on them. I refuse to be disobedient by worrying and fears any longer and have claimed II Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind."
He believes in me so why would I not believe in myself? He'll be faithful again even in these new changes. THANK YOU JESUS and thank you Jane for the reminder about your dog!
Posted by: Robyn on January 13, 2008
This reminds me of a lesson I learned several years ago. My husband and I were walking out Boston Terrier, Buster. When Buster goes for a walk he stays focused on his path. Dogs bark at him from their yards and he just keeps walking, not distracted at all. A menacing loose dog came toward us on this particular walk. Buster's master (my husband) picked him up to protect him. Buster was not even fazed by this dog. He knew my husband would take care of him.
I am sure you can figure out this lesson for yourselves. We need to stay focused on the path that we are walking and don't be distracted by the attacks of Satan along the way. Our Master will also protect us.
Posted by: Wanda on January 14, 2008
Every dog is a lesson every day. They are happy to see you, to be with you, to play with you. They don't sweat the small stuff. My dog won't leave my side if I am sick, and best of all, they are quick to forgive and forget if they get hurt. I think we would please God if we acted more like a dog.
Posted by: Pennie on January 15, 2008
I love your story. My husband and I have 3 rescued dogs. All our children are now married and away, so the dogs are now our "children" in the home. One of the dogs, Rusty, has a real problem with obsessive/compulsive behaviors. He has a certain process he must complete each morning upon arising. I retired 1 1/2 years ago and have had more time at home and now pay more attention to this behavior. I also have some obsessive/compulsive behaviors. I believe these have been passed over to Rusty as a way to give me insight into the need to change. I am praying daily that God will take these obsessive thoughts from me and also from Rusty.
Posted by: Beverly on January 15, 2008
Boomer is reflecting me. Fear of the unknown or can I say lazziness that lead to hunger. Thats me. Thank you for your story. It really hit me inwardly. I have so many many fears but the one I can talk about is "driving" a car. Fearing of an accident, fear that i will hit someone, fear that i am not fit enough to drive. I have been having this fear from tender age of 9 but it became serious in 1983 after we had an accident that my father's younger brother died on the spot and i was seriously injured that i couldnt walk for three weeks but doctors couldnt detect the problem. To cut the story short, recently, December 10, 2007 my own brother died in an accident with my aunt and my sister's son. They were buried on the 16th December, 2007 and i had a mazda 323 car being used by my friend, it overturned beyound repair - i love my car and wish there were heavenly penal beaters and mechanics to attend it. Am praying and believing for that miracle - sound foolish but i believe they are there, you know why? Because i said to myself if the children of Israel were fed with Manna from Heaven, bread and meat, then it means there are banks, garages, stables, different animal parks etc. then i dont have to worry that much. Boomer, thank you very much, my driving licence which i took, strategy being to confront my fears is left with two years to expire, not been used. IF BOOMER CAN JUMP ON HIS FEARS, WHAT CAN STOP ME? BOOMER, MY NEXT CAR WONT BE DRIVEN BY SOMEONE ELSE BUT ME. STAY BLESSED MY HERO BOOMER.
Posted by: Dikatso Malgas on January 17, 2008
I love my momma and I love Boomer too. Who knew he could be so spiritual? Hahaha!
Posted by: Sarah L. on January 17, 2008
God has used you in an extraordinary way in my life this morning. After reading your testimony--and being convicted myself!--I know that I am following God's plan for me. My husband and I were the musicians and choir director for our church for almost 25 years. There were some doctrinal issues which arose in our church and as you probably know, the majority may not always be right but they are in control. We resigned our positions and for the first time in our lives found ourselves in a church with no job. Now, we're not the world's greatest musicians and vocalists, but we were dedicated and probably a little too comfortable. We have been wrestling with the decision to leave this church family and seek a new church home. I, like Boomer, have finally seen the kibble on the seat!! Thank you for sharing and uplifting me; even though our paths will probably never cross here, your faithfulness to the Lord has touched my life.
Posted by: Angela on January 18, 2008
I have fought with fear for most of my life and I am 61. Some mornings I would lie in bed after the alarm sounded afraid to move. It was always easier to think of staying there than going into the world. I would pray and finally get up. Then recently, I realized that my fear was really not trusting God. I was not giving Him credit or allowance for being able to handle whatever came into my day. When I finally started praying Phillipians 4:13 I overcame my fear. Thank you for sharing your experience and allowing me to see that others face this same problem.
Posted by: Bev on January 22, 2008