Our golden retriever, Elway, will be 7 next week. He blew out his second ACL about a week ago, and still can barely get around. (The first one went two years ago, chasing a squirrel at break-neck speed down the back yard.)

Winter has finally arrived here in southwestern PA, and we've had snow squalls all day long. It's accumulated a bit on the deck. I've managed to stay in most of the day, avoiding the cold and mess.

Elway asked to be let outside. I watched him limp out, then work hard to lay down in the snow; there's a devotional in there somewhere I'm pretty sure. His example of contentment, even when things hurt, and life's not perfect - a good example for me. He's just going to savor what he can, and not complain about the rest of it.

I love that he tried to avoid making eye contact with me, so I wouldn't make him come back inside. He's completely content. Completely. When was the last time I felt like that? Maybe it's the two extra legs? Maybe the four-legged creatures have something on us?