hen I was younger, I had many pets. Some of the animals who graced my life just showed up and decided to move in. This was the case with Bogie, a Springer Spaniel who was flea-ridden and matted. A thorough bath revealed that underneath the filth was a beautiful liver-and-white-colored gentleman.

Bogie soon fit into the rhythm of our daily lives. He got along well with the other pets, probably because he ignored them. He was very laid back, to say the least. About the only thing that got his attention was when I went to feed our young guinea fowl. There were four of them kept in a small outdoor pen. Bogie, being a bird dog, showed an interest in the birds. He learned that when I picked up the bag of feed, I would be going to their pen. Not knowing what to expect, I was hesitant to let him accompany me.

One day I decided to let Bogie come along for feeding time. Knowing his gentle nature, I decided he might be able to help me. Invariably, one of the birds would escape, and I would have to chase it. Freedom for the birds was a sure death sentence with the coyotes roaming in our area.

When I opened the door to the pen, one of the birds escaped. Bogie took off after it at. I trusted him, but braced myself for the worst.

He returned with the bird in his mouth, unscathed. I praised him profusely and put the bird back in the pen. He became my regular helper with the birds until they got too big and we moved them to a larger pen.

Bogie never harmed a bird, although they were soaked with slobber. He always brought them back where they belonged.

As humans, we often stray in our relationship with Christ. The book of Luke contains the parable of the lost sheep. In chapter 15:5-6, it states, "And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'"

The Lord is concerned about every single one of us who has strayed. It is easy to wander off from him, but he never forgets his lost sheep. Just like Bogie did with the birds, Jesus picks us up gently to return us to the fold. We can only maintain a relationship with Jesus and stay safe from the "coyotes" of the world if we stay within the flock.

My memories of Bogie serve as a reminder to me that Jesus wants us safe and accounted for, within his fold, where we belong.