Paws and Reflect: Meeting Jesus for the First Time

Hello, Buck here. I’m just another stray canine from Cana, a little town in Galilee. I spend most of my days roving around looking for food. Some places are better for foraging than others. For instance, the city gate is a no-go; it’s just a bunch of men who are there to talk, not eat. The market is better, but vendors don’t like dogs around while they’re selling food. Plus, some of them want to put me on the menu! Now, a place where lots of people are eating and drinking, this offers a great opportunity for free goodies! And that’s where I was the first time I met Jesus, the one they call Immanuel.

It was a large wedding banquet, and people were having a good time. Fine wine tends to make folks relax, and that’s when I can turn on the charm and beg for some delicious scraps! But then I overheard this lady tell a guy that the wine was all gone. She asked him to do something about it.

The next thing you know, he tells the servants to fill these big jars with water—gallons and gallons of it! Is everyone taking a bath? Uh oh. I guess Buck’s buffet isn’t happening after all. No wine, no dine. “Draw some out and take it to the steward ,” I heard the man say. Of course, I tagged along to investigate.

I saw the water in the dipper, clear as the sky, but when the banquet boss took a taste, it was dark red. “Where did this come from?!” he said in shock. “You were supposed to serve the best wine first.” There was quite a commotion; I trotted back toward the water jars. The servants kept dipping and dipping; every drop had turned to wine!

Jesus was off to the side, surrounded by excited people. I snuck over for a closer look. Everyone was listening intently to him and following his every move. “Who is this guy?” I weaved my way through the crowd, to get near him (This is easy when you have four legs.) I had to look into his eyes; dogs can learn all there is to know about a person this way. I walked up to him, cautiously, half expecting to be shooed away, but he crouched down and scratched behind both my ears. That’s when our eyes met.

His were soft and kind, but so intense! There was much love in these eyes. I decided, then and there, to follow Jesus around—like everyone else. But first, I would beg for scraps.


This piece of historical fiction (the dog part, not the miracle) is dedicated to the memory of the real Buck: a chocolate lab who was a gun dog par excellence. That’s him below, sitting in a duck blind watching his owner for the next command. It was his intense gaze (in the photo) that sparked this story. May each of us look to God with the same level of devotion.

Photo used by permission from Buck’s owner. Scripture added by Beth Alisan.

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.

Psalm 105:4 (NIV)

*The story of Jesus turning water into wine, his first public miracle, is from John 2:1-11.

A special thanks to Beth Alisan, from lessonsfromalab , for helping make this story possible. Here’s a link to her post about Buck: A Moment With Our Creator: Psalm 105:4

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.

©️2018-2023, davidsdailydose, David Duncan. All Rights Reserved.


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37 responses to “Paws and Reflect: Meeting Jesus for the First Time”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, Matt. I’ve never had a Labrador or Golden Retriever, but they seem ti be great companions and workers.

    Like

  2. Pure Glory Avatar

    Blessings! You are welcome!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Labs are wonderful dogs as are retrievers. I grew up with a golden retriever, so you had me with this post 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, friend! I agree, one look (or word) from Jesus makes all the difference. Your comment reminded me how He told Martha she was troubled by many things, but her sister, Mary had chosen the better part—sitting at the feet of Jesus. Blessings to you!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Pure Glory Avatar

    David, love your giving us Buck’s perspective on the wedding in Cana. The intense look of love that Jesus gave Buck was so in keeping with how I see Jesus. He loves everyone, even dogs who were not valued in the society of the day. One intense look of love, into the eyes of Buck, changed everything!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. davidsdailydose Avatar

    That’s right. Josey spit tobacco juice on the dog’s head and the dog growled. Agreed, Jesus wouldn’t do that. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  7. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Yay! I get points! I love that movie. If I’m right, Josey also almost spits tobacco on the dog. I know Jesus would never do that! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  8. davidsdailydose Avatar

    One of my favorite westerns is “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” starring Clint Eastwood. In the movie, a dog tags along with Josey and his growing band of travelers. This was in my minds eye, as I imagined a dog shadowing Jesus and his disciples. Thanks for reading and sharing, friend. 2x points for you!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. God Still Speaks Avatar

    I love this perspective! And the dog wanting to follow Jesus! Amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I’m grateful for your encouraging comment, Beth. This is only my third or fourth attempt at writing historical fiction, but this one I HAD to write. When I saw your post about Buck, and looking to God, my first thought was, “I wonder if any dogs tagged along with Jesus and his disciples?” Over the next two days, Nancy and I kept passing a doggy daycare while visiting Montana, where our boys live. The name? “Paws & Reflect.” Like you said, God brought everything together for his glory. Thank you again for your assistance. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Beth Alisan Avatar

    David, the diversity of your writing never ceases to amaze me- devotionals, poems, and fiction. I enjoyed sharing your story with my family. Both my kids said, “Wow this is great.” For teenagers that says a lot. I find it humbling and amazing how God orchestrates kingdom collaboration. A picture taken while enjoying a morning in God’s creation, to the addition of a scripture to a Paws & Reflect story with each step taken to glorify the Lord. My favorite part of this story was the end when Jesus crouches down and looks Buck in the eyes and you write, “His were soft and kind, but so intense! There was much love in these eyes. I decided, then and there, to follow Jesus around—like everyone else.” That’s exactly how I picture Jesus’ eyes.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Petrina! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Petrina Avatar
    Petrina

    Love this! Love the way you share about Jesus and bring in humor and the title is so cute and catchy! And what a handsome dog. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  14. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Jeff. You are a great writer, so I cherish your thoughts. Christ’s first public miracle seemed like a great place for He and Buck to cross paths. Like you said, there are plenty more times and places where a curious dog and the Son of God could meet. Thanks for your input! God’s best to you and Julie!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    You would be such a blessing in that position. I hope you get it!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Jeffrey H. King Avatar

    Well, doggone! They say the eyes are the window to the soul. This tail comes from the land of Canine, yes? Fun story, David! Surprised me in the end as I was looking for some parallel to the scraps falling from the Master’s table. Maybe that could be another Buck story? I’ll bet you could come up with a whole series, following the Gospel from Buck’s point of view as he either follows or keeps encountering Jesus!

    Liked by 3 people

  17. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you so much, Manette Kay! I’m already considering other Bible stories Buck could tell from his perspective. God’s richest blessings to you, and thank you again.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. musingsofmanettekay Avatar

    David, what an interesting way to present this familiar narrative. You’re a great fictional writer. God bless you.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, Mags! My blogger friend, Beth (who wrote the first post about Buck) said the same thing. I appreciate your stopping by my little blog. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Mags Avatar

    This story would be a great way to teach young children the story of when Jesus turned the water to wine.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you. I have applied for a promotion—to assistant principal. Hopeful and prayerful.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    Blessings on your weekend. I hope work is going well 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, Gary. Agreed, Beth’s post put a loving memory with a great scripture and photo. I love how iron sharpens iron between bloggers. And we know all about that!

    Liked by 2 people

  24. Gary Fultz Avatar

    Very creative David. Beth’s tribute was great also.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you. I love short Bible verses that are packed with meaning. They are easier to memorize. God’s best to you!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, friend. We can learn a lot from dogs, for sure. We once had a Dalmatian who was more loyal than all but a few people I’ve ever known.

    Like

  27. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    What a great way to tell the story … And thanks for sharing this Bible verse. It is one of my favourites.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. FlowIntoWords Avatar

    I loved seeing this scene through new eyes, dog’s eyes. Dogs do possess such a loyal love and trust of us. We do have a lot to learn from them!

    Liked by 2 people

  29. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, Tommy. God Bless!

    Like

  30. BerryBunch.family Avatar

    Cool. thanks David

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Tommy Avatar
    Tommy

    Wow, just wow!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Andy B. Buck was not Beth’s dog; you might say he was in her “lab” network—a friend or relative to her black Labrador, Adi.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. BerryBunch.family Avatar

    No wine, no dine…. brilliant!!

    And a great follow up on that photo of Beth’s dog.

    Excellent!!

    Andy B

    Liked by 2 people

  34. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, brother. Yes, it was Buck’s focused gaze that hatched the thought, “I want to look to Jesus like that!”
    Beth read my rough draft and helped me secure permission to share Buck’s photo. Such collaboration in Christ is a true treasure—dare I say a “devotional treasure?”😉

    Liked by 3 people

  35. Alan Kearns Avatar

    When I tapped on your new post today, this was not what I expected David! But what a lovely blessing this story is brother. As a dog lover I really do understand the effect of such a sincere gaze on one’s heart. I can not say enough about this post to express how good it is; what lovely team work by you, Beth and of course Buck. God bless you and your family today 🙏

    Liked by 3 people

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