Pet Rescued, Prayer Answered

You may all know that this past weekend we had a very bad ice storm in these parts. We luckily were spared the worst of it and were never without power. We had stocked up on groceries and rented movies. We had a great family weekend. Doug and I got some important projects done (he is studying for his project management certification test, and I cleaned up my extremely, extraordinarily, horrifyingly messy office). But also as a family we played games, cooked, ate, and watched our movies. Church was even cancelled! The kids are having a snow day today, and I wouldn't be surprised if another one or two follows!

We did have a bit of a scare with Lucy. When Doug took Aidan out for a short walk across the top of the snow in the front yard--it's covered with a layer of unyielding ice--Lucy dashed out of the house and across the street to the park. Sophia and a friend were also playing over there, and after a good bit they saw Lucy swimming in the freezing water! That dog is always up for a swim, no matter what the weather! However, she was foiled this time by the ice accumulating on the edges of the pond. The sharp edges made it hard for her to climb out. As Sophia became aware of this, she dashed home to get Doug. It was pouring rain at this point and freezing as it hit the ground. Doug threw on a coat and hat and tried to help call Lucy over to an easier spot to exit the pond, but without success. He ran home to get our canoe, hoping he could think of a way to help her from the canoe.

Things were starting to look desperate. Sophia was worried. She said a short but sincere prayer. Then Lucy suddenly clawed her way over the ice and onto the banks of the pond! By this time, neighbors had come out to help, and they carried her home to us, drenched in icy water and shivering badly. Lucy that is, not the neighbors!

We warmed her up in a bathtub and then with towels that had been heated in the dryer. It took her a long time to stop shivering. She had a little injury as well--her left thumbnail was almost completely torn off and bleeding. After things settled down a bit, Sophia came over and told me quietly about how Heavenly Father had answered her prayer. We are so happy that Sophia had the faith to help Lucy!

Here is Lucy with her rescuers, Sophia and Sydney (Anhara, please notice that Sophia is wearing the "dungarees" that Aunt Joy embroidered for me when we were little girls):



Here she is nursing her hurt toenail:

We won't be letting her play at the pond until it thaws, that's for sure.

By the way, Lucy has found that when the ground is a sheet of ice, going potty is a little . . . splashy: