an old dog, new tricks

over the past two months we have discovered that our dog loves to play Frisbee. he's always liked it, but now is in love with it. he always been able to catch the ball, but never the Frisbee. he would run after it and sometimes bring it back. most of the time not actually to you.

somewhat out of the blue in august he began catching the Frisbee and bringing it right to my feet. i would throw it and he would bring it back, nudging it with his nose. it was like he was saying, "come on, already. put it in the air." he has also begun jumping in the air to pull it down. and his best catch would rival any Frisbee dog of any time. i had tossed the Frisbee into the air and as he ran across the back yard, he jumped with his body contorted, missing the catch, he tipped it up, and as soon as his paws hit the ground he jumped again, catching the Frisbee. he gets so excited about catching it.

when he misses, he kicks at it with his paws until it flips over so he can pick it up. he's a boxer. short snout. underbite. you get the picture. his paws get filthy. somehow, he fills the Frisbee with dirt, when he picks it up it goes all over his face. he's just dirty. yet he returns ready to try again.

i want to live like this. i want to live in such a way that even when i am covered in the dirt of my mistakes that i seek, with excitement, the opportunity to get it right. knowing that there is a god who is excited to watch it all happen and is eager to help and assist and is ready to celebrate with the successes.