Stahlke Adoption

My Teacher

"Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day."

Lutheran Service Book, Hymn No. 738, st. 3
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After eleven years of life with Jonathan and me, five children suddenly entered her home. Even for us, in the prime of life and with years of preparation for parenthood, it was an almost unimaginable experience. For an elderly dog, set in her ways, with no possibility of mental preparation, it was a whirlwind and earthquake combined.

Yet, despite of everything, in her last years Alabama became more gentle and loving. Maybe the kids just wore her down--being caressed by seven sets of hands instead of two has to help. Her sphere narrowed, too, since we had no more time for daily walks in the neighborhood. I always hoped that the increased activity in the household gave the dogs at least some level of exercise.

To keep them mentally stimulated, I often took the dogs along for short car trips to the school or store. They joined us, too, on longer journeys, with Dakota in the back seat between the older boys and Alabama on blankets between Jonathan and me. One of my favorite memories is when all nine of us visited the Indiana Dunes, and Alabama ran endlessly from wave to wave, trying to drink all of Lake Michigan.

I've written more details about the adoption's changes in her life in a previous posting on September 10, 2007 titled "My Story." She managed to adapt, despite everything.
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Thank you, Alabama, for showing us your love.

posted by Stahlkes @ 9:38 AM