I received an email recently from a couple who purchased a St. Bernard puppy from us several months back. They took their lovely "little" fellow home and named him Zeus. As we all know St. Bernards can get pretty big... (so big names are a common theme...) Zeus settled in to life on the farm quite nicely. He even had two little friends to play with, a couple of lovable beagles, named Molly and Sadie.
One morning Molly and Sadie were out following the trail of some interesting prey... possibly a wandering rabbit or raccoon... While in hot pursuit of the imagined intruder, Molly wandered out onto a farm pond, frozen over from the cold weather. The weather had been fairly mild up to this point so said pond was not truly frozen over. Poor Molly plummeted into the cold, murky water. Molly is a beagle and as many of you know, Beagles are not known for being long of leg. And try as she might, poor Molly could not make it out of the pond. Molly became frantic as did her buddy Sadie. The noise brought their owners out of the house to see what all the commotion was about.
The couple knew there was nothing they could do to save their beloved beagle. It was clear she was panicking and instead of treading water was getting weaker and weaker. Unbeknownst to them, Zeus had pushed the screen door open and as soon as he heard Sadie's mournful barks and Molly's squeaks he was pond bound. Zeus was always good at minding his owners' commands when given. But try as they might, he would not heed. He hurtled at a barely frozen pond... all 100 pounds of him...
Now here is where the story gets amazing my friends. I know that Saints were bred for rescue. I don't know if instinct kicked in. Or maybe fear for and love of his little friend took over... Zeus jumped in that pond, gingerly grabbed a frozen Molly by the scruff of the neck and swam to shore. He gently deposited her on the bank and then placed his body daintily over hers as if to warm her up. Thankfully Molly, Sadie and Zeus are perfectly fine now! I suspect Zeus received a few extra dog biscuits that week! But that story brings to mind this scripture...
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Such a wonderful example as shown by another one of God's creatures! It was just too wonderful a "tail" to NOT share... Blessings...
Now on to this week's card...
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The background is white card stock that I sponged with a light blue ink to resemble clouds. I then placed the black die cut frame (Cheery Lynn Designs) on it to resemble wrought iron. The sunflower is a Spellbinders die and the cute lady bug? A repurposed thumb tack.... Thanks for reading and until next time...
Supplies
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Light of the World
Paper - Colorbok, Bazzill
Ink - Memento Summer Sky (sky background behind frame die), Versafine Onyx Black
Dies - Spellbinders Labels One & Sunflower Set Two, Cheery Lynn Designs Cathedral
Lace Frame
Accessories - Lady Bug Thumb Tack
Challenges
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 17 - Lots of Layers