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So this past weekend I and my family celebrated the memory of my brother Blessing who would have turned 32 this year. He is truly missed, but not forgotten. It’s easy to remember the birthdays in our family … my brother’s was 8/21 mine is 3/21 … Joy’s is 9/21 (getting the picture yet) … Peace’s is 6/28, yeah she was a week late. Anyway, Blessing’s birthday usually signaled the return to school and the end of summer. Well, his birthday signaled the end of my summer because I started school this week, and I was reminded of the time when my brother brought home 2 kittens from a summer camp where he used to be a counselor … I believe it was in the summer of 2004. Let me start by saying I think Nigerians are superstitious when it comes to cats. Just picture my mom making dinner in the kitchen and a cat sneaks up behind her and the next thing you hear is “I rebuke you … get out of here” (which leads me to ask … why are Nigerians always rebuking everything)? And the cat would just hiss back making the situation that much worse. The situation went from bad to worse beacause 2 cats turned into 4 (one snuck out and got pregnant). Well to solve the problem I stepped up and told my parents that I would take the cats back with me to my apartment.

I recall this memory because last week I was asked to dog sit for a friend. Initially I was apprehensive recalling how very difficult it was to take care of the cats … scooping litter, getting food ready … ummm what else was there … well all I know is that the cats weren’t paying rent so they had to go! Anyway, I gave in and told my friend I was available to dog sit and embarked on the journey.

So the dog in the picture above (named Porsche) was dropped off at my house, and I was briefed on the particulars … feeding, walking, bathroom use, and displays of affection. The first day was smooth though Porsche didn’t eat, but she is a small dog so I didn’t think much of it. I took her for a walk and halfway down the block I noticed that the leash handle in my hand was bright pink! All the people driving by and walking by me probably thought I was very feminine. That was the first thing to go … the next walk I went without the leash. I soon learned that Porsche liked to run and she was pretty fast. So there I was in my neighborhood screaming out “come here Porsche … Porsche!!!” And then it hit me … what did a 6’2″ big black guy look like screaming out the name Porsche at a little fluffy dog. My neighbors obviously thought it was funny, cause they started laughing at me. I then explained that it wasn’t my dog and it was only dog sitting. Guys like me are supposed to have pit bulls or rottweiler’s or doberman’s. So I resorted to taking the dog out early in the morning, in the afternoon when no one was around, and at night when it was dark.

Well by the end of the week the dog started to grow on me as you can see from the video. We spent a great amount of time together and she was well behaved, (minus her little accident in my kitchen). On a side note, I have always wondered why people raise their voices when talking to animals. I guess it’s just habit. By then end of the week, my friend came to pick up here dog and it was back to just me in the house. I realized that taking care of the dog really wasn’t that big of a deal, and that the dog wasn’t worried that her owner was gone. Porsche just knew that she would be taken care of. I needed that reminder that no matter what the situation I can depend on my caretaker, (Christ) to provide for me. And though my life is more complex than little old Porsche’s, I need to live life with zest and fervor the way the Porsche does (minus the chew toy). Porsche, however didn’t change my feeling on animals. She wasn’t willing to pay rent sooooooo, she I had to kick her out!