A Breeder’s Prayer by Barbara Browning
Dear Father in Heaven, forgive me for not telling my in-laws I was on my way to a dog show when they called this morning. It’s just that I could not endure another lecture on the crimes of a mother “who thinks more of her dogs than her children.”
Help me, Father, to convince my husband that just this one more puppy won’t be that much trouble. And grant that he doesn’t miss the three pairs of socks that the little bundle of fluff chewed up after I brought him home.
Each day help me not to envy another’s wins. Guide me to show good grace and true sportsmanship even when an inferior dog goes over mine. And seal my lips that I may never slander another breeder nor pass along rumors and gossip.
Grant that I may, without bloodshed, endure the snide remarks made by the neighbors that it is cheaper to feed a child than a dog. Force me to show compassion and understanding to the novice breeder that thought there was big money in the breeding of puppies and is now stuck with the whole litter. For the sake of those innocent puppies, grant that I be able to help place them in pet homes where they will be loved and cared for. Then, Heavenly Father , grant me the wisdom and insight to educate these novices so that the same thing will not be repeated but also so that the fancy will not lose these interested beginners.
Guide me in my choice of breeding stock. Bless me with the courage to admit the faults in my dogs and deliver me from ever knowingly breeding any dog with hereditary health problems or of inferior quality.
Never let me overlook the welfare of my dogs or forget that the glory of the wins is just a small part of this dog game. Grant that I may never become too busy to develop a personal rapport with each of my dogs. Keep me constantly aware that it is the dogs that are doing the winning. Any glory is theirs, not mine.
At the risk of sounding greedy, I’d appreciate a few weeks without veterinarian bills so that I can pay off the ones I already owe. and, it sure would be great if the dogs would start coating up so I could show them at the specialty.
But, above all, dear Heavenly Father, grant that I may never lose sight of the true aims of breeding and showing dogs. Grant me the forbearance to patiently and tenderly train and care for each and every puppy and the humility to be thankful to those who help me along the way. In short, make me worthy of the love, devotion and loyalty which my dogs so freely and unconditionally give to me, day after day. AMEN
