A dog in every port....

You know, people have always told me that I'm a bit like my dad. They say I have his magnetic personality, his warmth and kindness toward all people, his generosity with myself and material things, and also his love for animals. I, of course, agree with all of these things; it is obvious I gained his humble attitude as well. Anyway, I do love animals, especially dogs; and if you were to ask any of my fellow missionaries on the trips I've been on, they will probably tell you that I love dogs too much. So much, as to get us into trouble.

I have befriended quite a few canines over the years and througout the world. Let's see, there was Askia in Germany, Betty in Macedonia, Rufus in Scotland, Beni in Czech Republic, and a handful of homeless begging mongrols in the streets of everywhere else. And then, of course, there was Lassie and Taron in Cernuc, Czech Republic where I last hung my missions cap.

Askia was a huge white dog who came up to my waist. She didn't like men, probably because she'd been hurt by them. The only people she seemed to like were women and her masters, Wolfgang and his wife. She really liked me though. When we were leaving Germany I went out to see Askia at her tree. I pet her and said something along the lines of, "be a good girl, I will miss you terribly." I don't think she understood English but she must have known I was going to leave because she came around me so that I was between her and the tree and then she leaned against me, pinning me to the tree, unable to move. It was sweet. I think I even cried a little. That was Askia. I learned to tell her, "platz" which means "stay."

Rufus was a huge black mastiff in Scotland. He lived next door to the small castle we were renovating. One day, while his master was taking him for a walk, I ran into them outside their property. I pet him and learned his name and thought that would be the last of Rufus. But then, I began working on the roof of one of the buildings and could see into the next property. So every day, I would greet Rufus over the wall from the roof of my building. The last day we were there, Rufus came to visit. I made the mistake of patting my legs and saying, "here boy." It didn't matter that he was running uphill a good city block, Rufus slammed into me on his hind legs and took me out and down for the count. It was sweet. I think I may have cried a bit there too. That was Rufus.

Then there was Betty. She was a stray mixed mutt in Macedonia. She must have lived nearby and she obviously had puppies recently. My heart went out to her. She came by our worksite every day but never seemed to want to come near. Jonatan called her "Serbian dog" and said she was afraid of men. So, I started to throw her some scraps from my snacks and lunches. In two days, she was eating out of my hand. One day she even came down into the property looking for food. The day before we left she even brought a friend to join in the spoils. By that time, everyone was throwing her scraps. The last day we were there, Peter came and asked about the dog. I told him that even if she died after we left, I knew she had a week of happiness. He told me, "No Debbi, this dog will be our mascot, we will feed her and she will live." It was so sweet, and I really did cry then. That was Betty.

Then there was Beni; short for Ben Hur. He is a wild and crazy dog owned by Petr in Czech Republic. He likes to hunt mice and chase things. I even saw him once playing with a bunch of children; he had a stick in his mouth and he chased their ball. I said he was playing baseball, everyone laughed. Beni was my buddy on that trip. Every chance I got I would pet him and hang with him. He was a good boy.....when he wanted to be, usually if I had food for him. He is still pretty wild and crazy, still chases mice and still plays with the kids. And every now and then Beni will acknowledge you, especially if you have food. That's Beni.

And finally there was Lassie and Taron. Lassie was half wolf, I swear it must be true, and she hated EVERYONE! She and Taron lived next door to the women's center in the village of Cernuc in Czech Republic. When I moved there, I tried to be friends with her but everyone told me it was a lost cause. People had tried and failed for years, it couldn't be done. Well, that just gave me more reason to do it. I prayed every time before I went to the chain link fence that separated our property from hers, that God would go before me and help me make friends. I told everyone, give me two weeks, that dog will be my friend. I even had my translator go with me to the neighbor's home and ask if it would be ok to feed her things. The owner told me she liked bread mostly. So, I began to woo Lassie with bread rolls. She would bay and bark at everyone who came into the yard, until one day....she stopped. When I came outside into the yard that day she ran to the fence then sat there so sweetly and just looked at me. I said, "Dobry den Lassie, good morning. Chces chleba dneska, you want some bread today?" She barked once. I put the bread in one of the holes in the fence, and she ate it right from my hand. From that day on, unless she thought you were going to hurt me, she was sweet to anyone who came outside into the yard. The ladies weren't bothered to go outside anymore, and they enjoyed Lassie's presence. The day I left I almost cried. I thought I would return in a few months, but I still felt sadness for leaving my dear friend Lassie. I returned once nearly a year later, for a day. Lassie was still there, and she remembered me. She greeted me at our usual spot and licked my hand and just sat there like she didn't want this moment to end. It was so sweet, and I definitely cried a little. That was Lassie.

I expect my adventures to continue for as long as I am on this earth. I expect to travel here and there and everywhere. And as I do, I expect to meet some new friends along the way; some four-legged. For I am a missionary at heart, and I have a dog in every port.