Casey barks. Every.single.time. anyone—family, friends, strangers— walks in our house. He has a harsh, ear-shattering bark that doesn’t stop until you sit down and he sniffs your face. Then he might stop. Operative word is “might”.

Books, TV shows, friends’ advice, treats, rattling a bottle of pennies, scolding—nothing worked. Desperate, I researched trainers, almost fainted at the cost, and made a private, in-home appointment with a master dog (people), trainer.

The trainer walked in the house and Casey said not a word. Why? Because the master trainer “spoke dog”.

               Lord God, walk into my life, no matter the cost. Teach me to
               speak toddler, speak child, speak teenager, speak young adult.
               Teach me to love each child as you would have them loved.

Was the master trainer worth the cost? Every.single.penny.

In less than an hour, the trainer taught me the rudiments of dog speak. I soaked up everything she said, observed her closely and practiced as she trained ME!
Yesterday, a neighbor came to visit and remarked on the amazing change in Casey’s behavior.

Casey’s behavior changed because I changed my behavior. May we be as eager to learn from The Master as we are from other teachers.

Amen? Amen!