Our home is in the country, so it is not unusual to find stray cats and dogs wandering around from time to time. People who have gotten tired of their pets sometimes take them for a ride into the country and push them out the car door, leaving them behind to take care of themselves. Some of these poor animals die of hunger. Others become confused and are hit by cars. Many are picked up by dog catchers. Pet owners should never be so thoughtless of these animals. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 12:1010A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10), “A righteous man regardeth [is concerned for] the life of his beast.”
Buffy was one of these stray dogs that wandered into our neighborhood one day. Since she had no collar on, no one knew what her name really was or even to whom she belonged.
She fared much better than most other strays. She was not only a cute dog, she was also intelligent and “street wise.” She always looked both ways before crossing the road, she had remarkable ways of getting food, and because she was a friendly dog the neighborhood children soon loved her. All the children wanted to have her for their own pet. But our neighbor’s daughter, who already had a dog, talked her dad and mom into adopting the stray dog. She bought her a new collar and named her Buffy.
Buffy had more freedom than most dogs in our neighborhood. Where we live, as in many areas, dogs are not supposed to run loose, but Buffy was not tied up or fenced in. She was free to play games with the children and walk with them to the bus stop each morning.
For a while all went well; then we began to notice some of the bad habits Buffy had. Our own dog, Bandit, was kept locked in her own pen. We soon discovered that Buffy could climb over the fence just as nimbly as a monkey; then she would eat Bandit’s food. If she saw us coming, quick as a flash she would climb back over and make a beeline to her new home. It was bad enough having our dog’s food stolen each day, but things got worse Bandit learned Buffy’s bad ways and was soon climbing over the fence herself. Bandit was not as smart with her freedom as her street-wise friend. She soon simply disappeared and never returned home. Shortly after, we learned that Buffy had taught her new owners’ other dog, Sugar, to climb out of her pen as well. Sugar’s freedom soon ended. She was struck and killed by a passing car.
All this makes me think of a verse in 1 Corinthians 15:3333Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33), “Be not deceived: evil communications [friends] corrupt good manners.” It is very tempting to look at the unchecked freedom of unbelievers who seem to be having so much fun and wish you could do the same. You can read in Psalms 73:22But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. (Psalm 73:2) how David says, “My feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped,” all because he was jealous of the riches of the wicked. He was saved from a fall when God showed him the end of those who leave God out of their thoughts and lives: “Then understood I their end.... Thou castedst them down into destruction.” Psalms 73:17,1817Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. (Psalm 73:17‑18). If a Christian’s feet slip out of the path of obedience — a place of “good manners” — the path leads downward to much unhappiness.
Buffy caused more problems with other neighbors who complained bitterly about her bad habits. Then one day Buffy was gone. I wondered what happened to her, but didn’t find out for quite a while. One day while walking through the woods I came upon a skeleton of a dog. There was black dog hair scattered around and the skeleton had a collar on the neck that looked so familiar. After a few careful questions to other neighbors, I learned that what I had guessed was true — those were Buffy’s remains. Someone had put a quick end to her troublesome ways.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12). This is a good thing for everyone to remember. If you are not saved from your sins and continue in your own way, there is only certain destruction for you. When you let the Lord Jesus wash your sins away, God will take you as one of His own dear children and guide you through life. If you are saved and are longingly looking at the pleasures of this world, please remember this little story and the warnings from the Bible, and continue in the narrow path of obedience and blessing.
ML-01/08/1989