Mrs. Grady lives high up in the Jacinto Mountains in Idyllwild, California. She loves dogs and has two of her own. She takes good care of her pets. A nearby neighbor has several unlicensed dogs which are allowed to run loose.
The neighbor’s dog had a large litter of puppies, among which was a friendly, little, female puppy. Mrs. Grady often saw the little puppy sitting outside, cold and hungry. She would call, “Here puppy, here puppy,” and when the puppy came running she would get some food. The puppy grew to be a beautiful, friendly dog, but she had never been given a name. She often came to Mrs. Grady’s home for treats, and when it was cold or rainy outside she would stay in the house all night. As Mrs. Grady continued calling to her, “Here puppy-puppy, here puppy-puppy,” it soon became the name everybody used for her. She had a name at last - Puppy-Puppy.
Most children are given a name soon after they are born. Not only do their parents know their names, but the Lord Jesus knows each little one by name too, because He loves all children. The Bible tells us that He is the Good Shepherd, and “He calleth His own sheep by name . . . and . . . they know His voice.” John 10:3,43To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (John 10:3‑4). Are you one of His sheep, and do you recognize His voice?
When Puppy-Puppy was two years old, the neighbor’s dog had another litter of puppies. In that litter there was one little puppy which soon became Puppy-Puppy’s best friend. They were always running and playing together.
When the little puppy was about five months old, there was a terrible scare in that neighborhood. A large, hungry mountain lion, which weighed almost 200 pounds, came down into Idyllwild and caught several little dogs. Mountain lions sleep during the day and prowl in search of food at night. A mountain lion is very strong and moves about quietly seeking food. It is also very quick and suddenly leaps on its prey, killing it, and then carries it off to its den.
One night when Puppy-Puppy was sleeping at Mrs. Grady’s home, the dog became very restless and excited. She ran to the door and scratched frantically to get out. Mrs. Grady knew something was very wrong, and so she let Puppy-Puppy out.
The dog ran furiously to her home where the mountain lion was crouching and creeping slowly towards the sleeping little puppy. The neighbor saw it and threw a pop can at the mountain lion to scare it off, but it didn’t move. Just then Puppy-Puppy ran between the mountain lion and her little puppy friend. Instantly the lion grabbed Puppy-Puppy and hurried off to its den.
The Bible warns that you are in danger from an enemy that is stalking you: “Your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8). But the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, gave His life at Calvary to save you from death and judgment, the result of your sins. If you accept Him as your Saviour, you will be safe from the power of Satan. Jesus loves you and gave His life that you might be free.
Mrs. Grady works at an animal sanctuary near her home. There are many dogs and cats wonderfully cared for there. Any who visit there can see a granite marker in memory of brave Puppy-Puppy! Many families visit this sanctuary, called “Living Free,” to enjoy the animals and sometimes adopt a dog or cat. There they can take a dog for a walk, and have a picnic, and see the marker about Puppy-Puppy who gave her life for her friend.
How wonderful it is for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Saviour to remember Him and thank Him every day for giving His life to save us. The Lord Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:1313Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13).
ML-05/22/1994