Sometime ago an article appeared...
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Sometime ago an article appeared in the "Dear Abby" column of the newspaper, written by a woman whose problem was her neighbor's dog. The dog was tied up to a tree by a short chain, and it barked all day while her neighbors were at work. They gave the animal no food or water, and she had to give the dog something to eat and drink. This kept the dog from barking, at least for a few moments. Once, she found the animal choking to death, as it had gotten its chain tangled around the tree. She spoke to her neighbors about the dog, but her neighbors told her to mind her own business. She concluded her letter by making a statement in question form. She wrote: "Don't people realize that pets take time; that they are a commitment?" Did you ever see a pet whose owners did not take care of it? An owner can make a big difference to a pet! Jesus said, "I am the shepherd." What needs do sheep have -- food, water, shelter, protection, a calm hand during the time of a storm, someone to look after it if it is ill or injured? The good shepherd provides all of this for the sheep. The good shepherd is even willing to die for the sheep. Sheep who have a good shepherd are blessed indeed! -- Frank
