What I learned from Mick

I want to explain that there are things to learn from all of God’s creation and everything in it, if we will take the time and learn.

Mickey (Mick) was our Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog). As a puppy, Mick was a feisty, playful boy. That didn’t change a lot throughout his life. He loved his family unconditionally, although he did lean towards me in his way.

Mick spent his life on the farm and was relentless in protecting his family and the area around the house. If we were taking a trip, I would fill up the self-feeder and a big water trough, and off we would go. I never worried about Mick while we were gone.

Oh, he could get out of the fence around the yard, and he did so often, but he was always close to the house. I would hear from delivery drivers about Mick’s protectiveness when we came home. They had all been warned—if Mick was outside the fence, do not come close to the house. They could drop packages just under the carport, but that was it.

Would Mick bite? Yes, and the severity of that bite depended on what he wanted you to learn. Mick would warn with a good nip, but if you invaded his area and he felt you didn’t belong, the bite was intense. Mickey took his job seriously and never wavered in performing his duties. He was always vigilant in his love and guardianship for his family.

When our grandchildren were small and were outside, Mick would make every step they made, always watching and guarding. He would play with them, and we never worried about them with Mick around. We had Mickey for 12 years.

Sadly, he developed cancer. We did all we could do to prolong his life through surgery and make him comfortable. On the day Mick passed quietly from our lives, it was as if our hearts were ripped in half and somehow we felt less safe. Mick, through his relentless dedication and unwavering love not only gave us comfort, but he also taught me some important life lessons.

In my walk with God, if I would be as completely dedicated to the Lord, spreading the Word of God and teaching the Gospel, as Mickey was in his duties to his family, I too would leave a lasting impression on this Earth and be pleasing to God.

Without hesitation, I can say of Mick, “Well done, our good and faithful dog.” I just pray that through my love and service in my calling, that someday I can hear my Father in Heaven say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

“The only thing needed for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing!”

Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple