“Lab(or) Day: The Power of Joy”

As Mike grabs the leash off its hook, one very happy puppy jumps up and circles with excitement. A walk. Yes, a walk. Shiloh, a 4 year old chocolate colored English Labrador puppy with a soothing fur coat and warm brown eyes dances in excitement anticipating the joy of the day.

Leash attached and door opened, Shiloh dashes out onto the sidewalk, paws prancing and tail wagging while pulling Mike into his neighborhood wonderland. This is it…since dawn I’ve been waiting.

Now the English Labrador is known for its classic handsome features. Standing at almost 24 inches high and a body of strong, powerful muscular build. It is considered one of the most beautiful dogs in the world (by those who judge this kind of stuff).

“And with an endearing temperament to go with those good looks, the English Labrador comes close to perfection on four legs.” They are also frequently trained as a therapy dog to aid those with blindness or autism. A breed that serves humans well.

Shiloh uses the appeal of her natural charm

…and inner strength with great skill. Within a few blocks, they are at the park, and Shiloh suddenly applies the brakes, a full and complete stop, and then just leans back on her haunches. Looking at the park people and the other furry creatures, she begins to smile. Mike pulls lightly on her leash and says, “Let’s go.”

For walking a stopped dog can be frustrating. Shiloh sits close to Mike’s feet and gazes up at him to say, What’s your hurry? I need to be about my work. For Shiloh knows there is a time and a place for everything. A time to walk and a time to sit, and God has made everything beautiful in its time.

So Shiloh leans back on her hind legs as if she has a built-in stool, straightens both knees to the side and her feet tucked neatly under her body. She marvels at the wonder of it all and waits for strangers with heavy laden souls to come and reach down to stroke her so she might acknowledge them back with encouragement and some shedding of her fur.

Her coat hair is short and dense yet soft to the touch. Able to absorb the burdens of all who seek comfort in her fluffy, smooth fur. Her mission is one of giving greetings of love and deep doggie affection. She patiently waits and won’t leave until all are served.

Finally Shiloh gets up and walks a few more steps and then plops down. Full body flop on the pavement. Not tired nor sick. Just enjoying the day because Shiloh perceives the vibe of a different bark.

The frequency of an ancient wisdom which says all labor is vanity. Empty and meaningless if done alone for its own sake. “For what do beings gain from all their labors?” One can work hard from dawn to dusk but it is all vanity without the power to see its goodness and enjoy its fruits. “There is nothing better for one to do than to see the good, to find the satisfaction of all their labor.”

Anyone can amass possession and wealth, but only God can give the power to enjoy it.

To not be left greedy while always wanting more, but be content in one’s toil, to accept and give thanks for it as the gift that only God can give. And Shiloh has chosen well to enjoy it.

Finally, after much more sitting than walking, they make it home. Yet, a few hours later, Shiloh jumps and circles begging for a noon time stroll. Pleading as only a doggie can. Once again the leash attached, the door opened, and Shiloh drags Mike and/or Chris out the door.

Yet, just as it seems that maybe this really will be a walk without stops, Shiloh drops down and assumes her position of reclining. This will happen again in the evening because who could possible say no to a soul as sweet as hers?

Now down the street another puppy heads towards the park. A tall black labradoodle named Chewy drags his owner forward. Come on, let’s go. There is adventure waiting for us. Chewy named after Chewbacca, the 8ft, 200year old wookiee from Star Wars, who is an intelligent species and a warrior.

Chewy too knows the power of joy

…in his strength and loyalty to his owners Jim and Kim. Many a time Jim responds to Chewy with a “Good Boy” greeting. There is also a certain blond labradodle named Leah who is often seen at the park. They love to run and chase the ball and play their Star War’s games together.

Today and every day Chewy knows that even though fun is waiting for him at the park, he adheres to a higher standard. To obey his inner bark calling him to first say, “hello” to all the residents. A greeting from Chewy is a powerful encounter because he puts all his gusto and strength into it.

When Chewy comes to greet you, it is best to plant your feet firmly, extend your hands, and get ready to be overwhelmed. Chewy always makes time to enjoy others both humans and beasts large and small because Chewy also knows that two are better than one. And that there is a time and a place for everything.

A time to be at the park and a time to do the doggie work of greeting others with joy. It is the investment that always gives a good reward. His labor brings him great contentment because he like Shiloh knows that he is part of God’s workmanship; created for good works prepared beforehand by God for them to fulfill.

A creature can work so hard but will end up only leaving its rewards to others.

So why destroy yourself with too much work trying to fix what should be God’s problem to solve? Why rob your soul of joy?

Only God can straighten a rough, crooked path. So step back, be regenerated from work’s frustration, stop stressing about the unknown. Instead, greet the person in front of you with a big thankful, hearty hello.

Enjoying with others the fruit of your labor is at the heart of Labor Day. A federal holiday set aside by Congress in 1894 and signed into law by President Grover Cleveland. A day to celebrate and show appreciation for the contributions, development and achievements of the American worker.

Now one may be asking what is the labor of Kitty since this is a Kitty Chronicle. Well, simple she is busy hiding behind a bush for Shiloh and Chewy are really large dogs, but she need not be for Chewy and Shiloh both love cats.

Happy Labor Day or Lab Day in honor or our heroes.

by Kathy and Dave Benedetto, Storyteller and Editor

and Kitty, who never works too hard.

and Shiloh and Chewy, labs who enjoy their work with all their hearts.

from The Kitty Chronicles September 2021 for those who chronically love kitties and puppies. Wisdom quoted from the book of Ecclesiastes and Ephesians.