Sam's Fourth Spiritual Lesson

Willingness to Learn From and About the Lord

Almost everyone I have ever known who is proud of his dog has extolled their pet’s intelligence. The only other creature that exceeds bragging rights of their dogs is grandchildren, if they are in that category.

Canine intelligence is measured by their ability to distinguish commands and words their human colleagues utter. It is reported that some dogs can identify or distinguish 165 words. That is the equivalent to a two-year old human child. 

Dr. Stanley Coran, Professor at the University of British Columbia has studied canine intelligence extensively and produced research that is quite astounding. Since dogs’ verbal capability are similar to a two to three year old child, he modified human instruments in that age group to mimic an appropriate testing of dogs (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201107/what-are-the-limits-canine-learning).

The findings indicated dogs can also do simple arithmetic up to five. My neighbor validated Sam’s mathematical skill by giving him five small treats over a period of time when she was with him. Sam never lost count and anticipated each one, but would move on when the five count had been reached.

Dog experts claim that the Border Collie is the most intelligent of breeds followed by Poodles, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. I feel sorry for them. They have never met my mixed Black Lab. They would have to revise their declarations. To be fair, maybe Sam is the exception, not the rule.
When Sam was still a pup, six months old, he showed his budding intellect. My wife, Jeanette and I were painting our retreat barn when she called down to me from the 2nd story loft that she needed a screwdriver to open a can of paint. Sam had been sitting beside me watching me paint, and probably wondering why  I was so enamored by that red thick liquid and obsessed with putting it on the oak planks. He already had examined my container and found it wanting in the smell and taste department. He did not approve of my activity, but felt compelled to stand by should I come to my senses.

I turned to Sam and reached in my pocket for the screwdriver and said, “Take it to Momma!”

Although this a new action for him, he understood my command. He took the tool and raced up the stairs to my wife and handed, I mean, 'mouthed' it to her. Then he raced back down and continued his observation of my antics.

Throughout his years, Sam has never ceased to amaze me on his word recognition and his ability for critically thinking in order to connect outcomes with actions. The saying, “You cannot teach an old dog new tricks,” does not apply to Sam. His eagerness and ability to learn new things can never be underestimated, which brings me to the puzzle of why Sam defies that old adage. I have now realized Sam’s motivation that keeps him excited about learning. It is me. Where your heart lies, the search for knowledge and understanding lies.

Sam looks at me as his master. He is happy when he does things that pleases me and he draws closer to me. I have become his object of study. In the same way, Christians should be motivated to learn about the Lord. All the information is found in the Bible. Sure, there are other sources of information — commentaries, sermons, books, videos — but they should be filtered through Scriptures to avoid error. I am the master that is who Sam wants to understand by observing. Different motivators, different sources, but based on the same need to learn.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  Proverbs 3:16-17 (ESV)