News from Shanda and Cooner

Thank you Dr. Jim.

If you have a moment, let me tell you a story about Cooner...

The Sunday after Phil and Seth came home with Cooner we decided to put him in the kennel outside while we were at church.  All were in agreement that he could use some outside time since he had been in the house.  When we returned from church, Cooner was not in the kennel.  He had chewed through a canvas strap, bent back wire, and escaped. The search was on, from neighbors, to driving, to lots of walking in the pastures behind us. We were calling in vain to a dog that did not know his name or want to be found.  Seth was heartbroke, but we decided to leave it in God's hands.  It was assuredly too big of a task for us to get Cooner home.  I text everyone in town on my phone letting them know the situation, describing Cooner, and asking them to pray.  

Late that night when Phil returned from a job at 11:15 PM (he is a rig welder so crazy hours are the norm here), he banged on the door a lot harder than usual and a lot quicker.  (Knowing I am upstairs he is usually patient with me to wake and come let him in.) I arrived at the door to find Phil holding Cooner in his arms.  He had found him on his way home on Hwy 67 and the Bono turnoff - which is about 10 miles from our house! It took Phil two hours of coaxing to get Cooner to come to him.  Cooner apparently was determined to find his way back to the ranch.  Phil placed Cooner on Seth's bed.  When Seth awoke from the deep sleep he was in and realized what was going on he throw his arms around Cooner's neck and exclaimed, "Oh, Cooner!"

It brought to mind two things: Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (Lk 19:10) and there is great rejoicing in Heaven when even just one returns home to him (Lk 15:7).  Now that is a Christmas reminder for us all! There was great rejoicing in our house that night.  Even Cooner was licking us and glad to see us after his adventure.

Thanks for the info about the food.  He is steadily warming up and we plan on taking some pictures next week.  I will be happy to send them to you.

Blessings always and Thanks again.

Shanda Terry