Yippers

I love dogs.

All dogs.

Need to make that abundantly clear because I’m about to pick on a specific breed for a moment. It’s a popular breed, and I’ve been blessed to have them as a part of my family. And while this is not true of all in this breed, it is of many. They are what I call, “yippers.” Dogs that bark at almost everything and anything. Any guesses?

That’s right…Yorkies.

Again, I’m not saying it’s true of all Yorkies, but in my experience, it’s more common than not.

It’s also true they are not the only breed that barks at anything that moves, remains stationary, in both the seen and unseen world. But for the purpose of this story, it’s a Yorkie. (watch video for further explanation)

I used to be a Yorkie.

Always feeling the need to “yip” at every social media post I saw that required my uninvited response. To make matters worse, I also have a “need to be heard.” So basically, if I didn’t get the response I expected, I’d keep yipping.

I’ll confess, I was a Yipper.

On the other end of the spectrum was Paxton. He was such a great boy.

Paxton barked for only two reasons. One, to alert of any possible threat, and two, to neutralize that threat. He didn’t bark at other dogs, random people, or the refrigerator.

He was the perfect camp dog. Loved to lay just outside the trailer and watch people walk by, and could do it for hours.

People on their way to and from the showers. On their way to hike. Playing catch in the dirt road. He barked at none of it.

But take one step onto the campsite and his bark would stop them dead in their tracks. (as more than one UPS driver could attest) Paxton was the most gentle creature you’d ever meet, but you wouldn’t know it from his bark.

When Paxton barked there was a reason, and it got your attention.

So this morning, I was reminded to be more like Paxton.

God tells us in James 1:19-20 to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.

Be swift to hear what God has to say and take time to process. You may still comment, but then again you may not. Skip this step, and you will be quick to speak and quick to anger. And trust me, I’ve gone 0 for 3 more times than I can count.

“When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.”
Thomas Jefferson

When you’re a yipper you can be more a source of irritation than a meaningful asset. Be more tolerated by others than capturing their attention.

So the lesson learned on this morning’s walk with Brooks….less yipping and more bark.

James 1:19-20 (NKJV) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.