Something We Can Learn From a Dog

    Last fall, there was an incredible story in the news about a dog that found his deceased master’s grave in a distant cemetery, and stood guard over it for six years.
    Shortly after Miguel Guzman passed away, his German Shepherd, Capitan, ran away from home. The family looked everywhere to no avail. They assumed he had been hit by a car. Then the following Sunday, when the family visited their father’s grave, Capitan came running to meet them in the cemetery, barking and wagging his tail, then running back to Miguel’s grave site.
    The odd part...they had never brought the dog to the cemetery, let alone the grave. Everyone is totally confused as to how the dog was able to locate it.
    Dogs have incredible scent. Some speculate that he somehow followed the scent of his master’s body from the house, to the hospital, to the funeral home, and then to the cemetery. But what is amazing is that each leg of the journey, Miguel’s body would have been transported by car. It’s still a mystery how he was able to do it.
    But once Capitan found his master’s resting place, there was no leaving, at least, not for long. The family took him home, and he was OK with that. But he was back in the cemetery by nightfall. Bare in mind, this is in Argentina, where non-aggressive dogs are allowed to run free.
    The family took Capitan home again, he was back at the grave by 6:00 pm. They took him home the next day, and again, he stayed till the evening, but was back by the time Miguel used to return home every night at 6:00. Eventually, the cemetery caretakers began to feed the dog and view him as the graveyard mascot. For six years, he’s lived in the cemetery. He roams the park during the day, but always returns to Miguel’s grave at 6:00 pm and remains there until the next morning.
    There is quite a lesson in loyalty for us in that story. Dogs are known for their loyalty.
    But sadly, people are not. Too many people are quick to sell their friends and even family for the cheap thrill of a laugh or an interested listening ear. We often refuse to stand up against gossip for fear that we might wind up being the target. We’re there for others, so long as they are there for us. But once the potential of returned favor is gone, are we?
    Miguel couldn’t be there for Capitan. He was dead. But it didn’t matter to the German Shepherd. Miguel was his master and he would be there for him for the rest of his life, even if that meant after Miguel’s death.
    And then I consider the lack of loyalty many have for the one who sacrificed his life for them. Sure, they’ll sing in church and talk about God like he means something to them, until disappointment. Then it’s, “Where is God?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the stories of difficult trials in a person’s life as an explanation for why they turned their backs on God. They were there for God, as long as he would be there for them (and they want to define what that means).
    Jesus is looking for those with the loyalty of Capitan. Those who will say, “No matter what, I’ll serve him for the rest of my life!”
    Will you?