A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Upstairs

[PDbyGrace]

Her name is Bella and she wouldn’t let me up the stairs. Why not? She is a black, seventy pound crossbreed of Great Pyrenees and poodle—a pyredoodle. While poodles (bred to hunt) are the “clowns’ of the dog world—very intelligent and playful, Great Pyrenees (bred to protect livestock) are “guardians”—very loyal and protective.

Poodle Bella usually comes up to me, wagging her whole body, inviting me to play. Or she rolls over on her back, begging me to rub her tummy. But tonight, as I began climbing the stairs to go to bed, I had to stop after a few steps. Great Pyrenees Bella was lying across the stairway, exhibiting no desire to play or to be petted, but quiet, still, immovable. Stubbornness is also in her genes.

My daughter said, “She’s watching out for you. Bella, MOVE!” Reluctantly Bella complied and I was able to complete my ascent, thinking, ‘That’s cool!” I mentioned it to my wife and she said, “Yeah, she’s protecting you, because she sees you as the weak one of the group.” My movement had been very slow and stiff all day. My obvious impairment triggered her protective instinct. Great Pyrenees Bella recognized the hazard the stairs were to me, so, instinctively, she placed herself between me and the danger.

A few minutes later, I was sitting on one of the upstair couches, wrestling with the buttons on my shirt. Bella came and sat down in front of me. She nuzzled me and as I petted her soft, curly, poodle hair, I felt a gush of grace. I was being watched over. My weakness had triggered the genetic instinct to protect me, in a very beautiful and strong creature.

And better than that, I am being watched over by an infinitely more beautiful and stronger Creator. And my weakness, in body and soul, triggers His mercy, grace and strength on my behalf.

“…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV)

[laglag]

Beautiful story!

[PDbyGrace in reply to laglag]

Thank you.

[PDbyGrace in reply to laglag]

Thank you!

[1LittleWillow]

Oh, my goodness. That was absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing.

[PDbyGrace in reply to 1LittleWillow]

It's a blessing to hear you enjoyed it!

[bookish]

There is nothing quite like that instinctive connection and bond with an animal, especially one as beautiful as your Bella. Dogs give us immeasurably more than we can give them, but please give her a scratch from me 'in that spot behind the ears where large dogs keep their souls' (with thanks to Eva Ibbotson). Thank you for your post.

[Minmed]

Such a beautiful story thank you for sharing. Hugs to you and Bella

[Ep0522]

What can I say, it touched my heart. “Just Beautiful “!!

[7AnneMac7]

So beautiful! Thank You for sharing! And Yes, He is watching out for us all, whether through our animals or through family and friends.🙏🏻

[PDbyGrace]

Full disclosure: The picture is not Bella, Bella is totally black and a little older, but just as beautiful. And she belongs to my daughter. I come under jurisdiction when I visit.

[RBan]

Amen! Ps 73:26, “My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak but God remains the strength of my heart, He is mine forever”

[Moondaughter]

Thankyou PDbyGrace .

[PDbyGrace in reply to Moondaughter]

You are welcome Moondaughter

[kaypeeoh]

How did I miss this post 9 months ago? Years ago I owed two Great Pyrenees. When I owned a veterinary practice in Wyoming, Great Pyrenees were a not-uncommon sight out in the desert among the huge sheep herds. Once while arrow-head hunting a client had found a GP alone in the desert. Deciding to keep her she brought the dog in for a checkup and a bath. Living outside with that dense, wooly coat GPs tend to "Reek"

We did so but when the client returned I had to tell her the dog was alone because she was in the early stage of labor and the herd had moved on without her. Ultimately she produced a dozen puppies. The client paid her bill with two puppies.

As adults they became blood donors whenever I had a patient needing a transfusion. Sadly these gentle giants don't live a long life. Both of mine died of heart failure by the time they were eight years old.

Maybe your poodle mix will have some longevity genes keeping her alive longer. Standard Poodles often live til 18 or so.

[PDbyGrace in reply to kaypeeoh]

Thank you for sharing this. The vet that checked Bella out was very enthusiastic about the combination. My daughter bought her for my grandson who is high on the ADHD scale. She will go into training soon. My daughter's family live in a nearby gated community. A lot of deer roam the neighborhood. Bella some how got herself over a very high fence and took one of them down. My daughter had to chase them and drag her off of the deer twice . My daughter was recovering from COVID and was being berated and threatened by her next door during the event. My daughter told me later, "Dad, if had not been so traumatic, it would have one of the most awesome things I ever saw. It was like a nature film."

I'm happy to say, dog, deer and daughter have totally recovered.