Chatty Rocky

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

WITH FOURTEEN HORSES, one miniature donkey, five goats, twenty chickens, and two dogs to feed each day, Jodi Stuber’s morning starts early. But she doesn’t mind. In fact, she cherishes the quiet time before HopeWell Ranch—the equine therapy ranch she and her husband, Ty, run on their ten-acre property in Weidman, Michigan—is bustling with activity.

Each morning as she feeds the animals, she prays over them, over the people and families they serve, and over the volunteers and supporters who give so generously of their time and resources to make it all happen. It has become a sweet time for her to talk to her heavenly Father—and for her beloved German shepherd, Rocky, to “talk” to her.

From the day Jodi and Ty welcomed Rocky into their home, he joined Jodi on her chores, quickly learning the layout of the ranch and the feeding schedule. In fact, Rocky learned the routine so well that he started herding Jodi from paddock to paddock, letting her know with a variety of verbal sounds that she needed to keep moving.

At first Rocky’s canine murmurings were simply an amusing diversion to Jodi during her morning chores. But as time went on and the ranch began serving more people—people hurting and struggling with a variety of difficulties—Jodi found herself having conversations with Rocky as if he were a trusted confidant. Jodi would share her fears and triumphs, her concerns and plans, and her dreams and vision. And as if understanding each word, Rocky would answer with a throaty rumble or a staccato bark.

There were days when Jodi felt too burdened to talk because she was worried about a veteran struggling to find peace, was preparing to host a group of bereaved children whose classmate had died suddenly, or was weighed down by the never-ending financial needs of the ranch. On those days, Rocky would be silent, sensing Jodi needed his presence more than his “words.”

When Jodi was brimming with energy and thinking two steps ahead, Rocky listened to her process out loud, responded with an enthusiastic bark, and kept her focused on the task at hand.

Of course, from time to time, Jodi got to play the role of faithful and loyal companion for Rocky. Some mornings her canine friend would walk up to her and lean against her legs—his subtle ninety-pound way of asking for her attention. Jodi was always happy to oblige, kneeling down and inviting Rocky to lay his large head in her hands. As she looked into his eyes and stroked the soft fur between his ears, she said, “Rocky, I’m so grateful for you. You are one of God’s gifts to me.”

Rocky didn’t say a thing—hearing Jodi’s words was more important than speaking any of his own.

During those times, with her dog’s head in her hands, Jodi could almost hear her heavenly Father whispering his own words of love over her and over all of HopeWell.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Who do you turn to when you need to talk things over? Or seek advice? What makes a friend’s thoughtful and earnest counsel such a sweet gift? How can you offer that gift to someone today?

Paws & Pray

Lord, thank you for being my most trusted confidant, loyal friend, and wonderful counselor. And thank you for the friends you have placed in my life who give me heartfelt counsel and who always point me to you. Help me to be a good friend to others, and grant me wisdom to know when to speak and when to simply be present with anyone who is hurting.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.