Dear Mr. President…

Photo Credit: M. A. Flannery, SC

Occasionally, when the news gets almost too hard to bear, we give a report on the conversations of the White House pets—just for a bit of levity and understanding of the perceptions our pets have about life. Today’s report is a letter from a little dog who was saddened that President Biden had to rehome, for the second time, a beloved dog who was overcome by the White House responsibilities. She has some advice she felt compelled to share with the President and, yes, there is a spiritual message!

Dear Mr. President: My name is Lily. I am not a voter, but I think I may be a democrat given the household I live in! I am a canine and I have a spiritual connection to all other canines. Have you seen those television ads requesting contributions to animal welfare organizations? Well, my Ma’m and I just melt at those, and I admit to feeling a bit guilty because she rescued me from a shelter, and I have a very happy home with three Sisters (that means nuns), and they are so good to me. 

So, how about Commander, Mr. President? He is the second German Shepard you had to give up to rehoming because of biting. Mr. President, may I take his part now? I do not mean to be disrespectful, but German Shepards are bred to be loyal to one master and they do their job extremely well. So, if they are in a mix of people, who are strangers, they will look on the people as suspect. Their whole concentration is on protecting their owner. I cannot blame either Major (the first German Shepard in the Biden White House) or Commander for going into action when they were near you as individuals came to see you or interact with you, or when they were taken away from your presence for walks or much-needed breaks. It’s a very hard job to protect the President of the United States! Even President Bush’s fairly mild Scottish Terrier, Barney, took a nip out of a reporter’s finger. I’m thinking he didn’t like the question the reporter asked the President!

So, here’s my advice. You need to get a smaller dog (preferably my breed, a Malti-pooh, meaning Maltese and miniature poodle mix!) Of course, any small breed will do everything required. Why? Please consider this Mr. President: All small guys and gals are not threatening. I am only 12 pounds, and I can’t jump high enough to grab an arm or a lethal gun. My pals who are big dogs do this just fine. And, with the coterie of Secret Service swarming about you all the time, you don’t need a police dog! But we small guys are given to the diplomatic approach, which I understand you prefer in politics. We bark fiercely (just so the people know we are protecting the owner/leader) and then we go up to the visitor and schmooze. Yes, we sweet-talk them. Plus, we are cute, if I may say so, and thus not threatening. My Ma’m is always impressed how big, burly men stop us in our walks and lean over to pet me and talk to me. Ever see a driver of an eighteen-wheeler talk to a little dog? Soon as a driver sees us it’s, “Hi sweetie. You wanna treat? Here Sweetie, you can have some of my hamburger.” And he’s not talking to Ma’m either!! Presto! I’m a sucker for truck drivers with long beards, bulging biceps, and cowboy boots! It’s nice to have the attention but Ma’m says do not believe all the praise you get. Don’t let it go to your head! 

I ask you, Mr. President, do you want to make points with Putin? Bring one of my clan into your discussions! I know he prefers big dogs like Russian breeds, but one of my kind could win him over with charm. You see, whereas big dogs have bravado and strength, they are reluctant to snuggle; they sleep with one eye open. This goes with their job. Watch how Kim Jong Un will crumble with smiles when he sees an engaging little dog begging for a treat. If you don’t believe me, check out the only rival you have so far for the Democratic nomination. Yep. Representative Dean Phillips has a cute little Yorkie, not a fierce German Shepard or Rottweiler, or even a lumbering affable St. Bernard in his office every day! You think that won’t curry some votes for him? Think again. If you lost the nomination to Rep. Phillips, many pundits and commentators might conclude you really lost to Henry. Little Henry has been out politicking and some have seen even republicans petting him!! This could be a game changer. 

Mr. President, my life is full of responsibilities, and I love this. I walk my Ma’m every day, so she keeps fit, and she is way older than you. So don’t worry about your age. It’s easier to handle a small dog than a big one. Like all small dogs, I like to warn of pending visitors. Before someone can ring the doorbell, I’m on it. Once the person is admitted, I become an ambassador. It’s all smiles and wagging of tail and escorting them into the main room. I don’t care if they’re republican or democrat. I can reach across the aisle, something I understand you would appreciate. At night I love to play fetch while the sisters watch the news. I can catch high flys, and long drives. Soon, all three are asleep and I nod off a little too. It’s the essence of peace and these are moments you need in spades.

I know I would get along with Willow, your cat; all small breeds seem to tolerate cats quite well. I mean, think about it, we’re evenly matched in size. 

So, why not consider a little pal this time, Mr. President. There is a lot of friendliness in our ‘littleness’ and a ‘mountain’ of love in our hearts.

C’mon, please, Willow can only do so much!

Lily in Bedford, Ohio

Reflection

Try to put all the pain and tragic news of these past few weeks into a frame of deep prayer for peace. This means peace for yourself as well. Animals live in and for the now. Can you? Can you settle yourself into quiet time for prayer? Can you appreciate the simple things of life, like an unanticipated visit from someone or a new flavor of tea or coffee or a text from a friend? Can you see in animals, in all of creation, amazing gifts God wants us to enjoy?

If peace can grow in the human heart, it will extend to ripples of peace bringing blessings to the suffering of the world. I know I have shared this once before in a post, but the popular and well-respected theologian Richard Rohr dedicated his last book to a most treasured friend in life. It reads:

“I dedicate this book to my beloved fifteen-year-old black Lab, Venus, whom I had to release to God while beginning to write this book. Without any apology, lightweight theology, or fear of heresy, I can appropriately say that Venus was also Christ for me.”  Introduction, The Universal Christ