My first dog was a Doberman, which by definition was teeth on legs, and a wonderful creature. We sold him to a hotel in Solihull to get rid of awkward customers, and replaced him with two miniature Schnauzers who shared a large basket with Cadbury, our Chocolate Point Siamese cat. She used to sneak up and climb in as they settled down to sleep. The three were clearly friends and when Schweppes died Fritz her brother searched the garden, under every bush and tree trying to find her. He clearly missed her and became pensive at her disappearance – but she was not buried in the garden! Eventually all those animals died and we bought another dog called Schmitz, and this is how it happened.
God so arranges things that are remarkable, even in the most seemingly mundane experiences. My first wife was in the Sunday evening service and went from praise to worship and then into The Presence. When you get there you can ask what you will and God will answer. Our penultimate dog had died and she was particularly upset and simply said to God, “I’m not saying I need a dog but if you think it’s good for me you’ll have to do it for we do not have the finance to buy one.” The service ended and we went home and prepared the supper, took it into the lounge to watch Antiques Roadshow, and as we sat eating, the phone rang. At that time of night it was usually for her, and as she talked I realised it was. She suddenly put her head through the serving hatch and said “we’ve got another dog.” Not do we want one or shall we have one, but “we’ve got one.” It was clear the deal was done! Someone who was ignorant of her prayer [as I was] rang to give her £300 for another dog.
We checked breeding kennels and found two in the Cotswolds so off we went to explore what was available, but neither one presented possibilities for a suitable pet. We stayed overnight in a bed and breakfast in Broadway and next morning after breakfast causally walked up the main street before we left for home. As we strolled along approaching us was a man with a miniature black schnauzer, the kind of dog we were looking for. After talking to him we found he had bought his from a kennel near London where we lived; we spent no delay in visiting it on the way home and bought one of the pups.
The mother had been an America Champion and her owner had put an embargo on any of her offspring being shown thereby reducing the price from £450 to £300. Do you think God was ignorant of that when he caused someone to offer that sum to Patricia? He is sovereign in small and large things and events. It was no accident that the three wise men brought gifts that Joseph and Mary could sell for their upkeep as they migrated to an embalming country. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. God planned well. He always does.
Schmitz, our last dog, was with us for about 12 years and gave great fun and loyalty. When Patricia asked God why he gave him so miraculously, he said quite simply “to put a smile on your face.” That was important to God. She had suffered much over many years, and any smile was a bonus. He touched her where she needed and provided over and above expectation. Our life together was paean of praise to His almighty forethought and supply. Thus we are sure that because of the past supply there will be current and future miracles. He changes not, He is constant in His love and care for us.
