The Second Great Commandment


Dan
     In 1964, our family opened our home to a bird dog puppy named Dan.  Little did we realize he would soon be joined by another creature.  That summer my husband went hunting with his cousin.  When he came home he handed me a surprise.  Wrapped in an old shirt two scared eyes stared back at me.  That is how I met Sam the raccoon.  As Sam grew and no longer needed special attention, we gave him the run of the place.  He slept in our out buildings during the day.  Even so, he always took time to play with Dan and my children.        

     Dan and Sam became best friends and came up with special ways to play. What they played most caused Dan's ears to get huge calluses on them.  Dan would lay on his back while Sam took a running leap at him.  He landed on top of Dan grabbing his ears with his teeth.  After which, Dan took his paws and threw Sam as far as he could.  Over and over they played their game.

     When the first cold spell came along, Sam left for a few days.  He came back home starved.  When the second cold snap hit, he didn't come back.  Since he was wild, we knew this day would come.  Dan lived to be ten years old.  They are both gone now, but they live on in our hearts and memories.  I wish people could get along as well as Dan and Sam did. 


        The Second Great Commandant

There are all kinds of animals those who love and those who hate.

If a dog and a raccoon can bond, human hate is out of date.

                          God made no mistake when he made each of us different and complex.

                    Circumstances that happen often makes us wonder just what will happen next.

                             Regardless of how we look, God put us here with special jobs to do.

 Our skin may be different, but we can always share a love that's true.

  What Jesus said to the Pharisees is also meant for you and me.  

 The second great commandment was given to help make us free.

When color fades into the background, we can share a spiritual love.

Then we will all know, we have been blessed by our Heavenly Father above.

                      Patricia Westbrook

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39, KJV).





               

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