PUPPY SIZE

Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We have been back to this animal shelter at least five times. "It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer.
'What is it she keeps asking for?' the volunteer asked. 'Puppy size!' replied the mother. 'Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.' 'I know.... we have seen most of them, ' the mom said in frustration.
Just then Danielle came walking back into the office. 'Well, did you find one?' asked her mom. 'No, not this time,' Danielle said with sadness in her voice. 'Can we come back on the weekend?'
The women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. You never know when we will get more dogs. "Unfortunately there is always a supply", the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed toward the door. "Don't worry, I will find one this weekend" she said.
Over the next few days Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being to particular. "It's this weekend or we are not looking anymore," Dad finally said in frustration. "We don't want to hear anything more about this puppy size either," mom added.
Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine mom sat in the waiting room near the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one of them. One by one she search for the perfect pup. The volunteer opened another cage door and the child carefully picked up the little puppy and held it closely. This time she held it a little longer.

" Mom, this is it, I found the right puppy!" "He's the one, I know it!", she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you have held over the last few weeks," Mom said. "No, not the size...the sighs...when I held him in my arms he sighed!,' Danielle said. "Don't you remember one day when I asked you what love is you told me how love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love the bigger the sigh."

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. When she stooped down to hug the child she did a little of both.

"Mom, every time you hold me I sigh. When you and daddy come home from work and you hug each other you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms."

Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said "Mom, he loves me, I heard the sighs of his heart."

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of a cool breeze on a hot day.

They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen, you will be surprised by what you hear.