Darcy had all kinds of questions when it was time for Appa to be neutered. We explained that this will make Appa less aggressive and we won’t have to worry about puppies. Darcy didn’t understand why anyone would worry, rather than rejoice, over puppies. But her main concern was that Appa would no longer be a male (she actually said “man”, but no matter what my kids think, Appa is not human). So Meg told her, “Don’t worry about Appa, your dad has been fixed.”

Darcy responded with a smile, “So is dad less aggressive?”

Let’s not wait for Meg to answer that question! I want to consider the term fixed. Isn’t it strange that we call neutering “getting fixed”. We did hope the procedure would curb bad habits, like eating Christmas ornaments. Unfortunately after the surgery Appa is still chomping nativities. So we need another fix. There was a moment when I thought Meg might kill him (he only eats the homemade ornaments!). I suppose that would have fixed the problem. But instead we moved all the ornaments above the chew line. With Appa in the family our tree is half decorated.

When raising a dog, there is no silver bullet (or scalpel) to fix everything. There is lot of training. Lots of adjustment. The fix is in the process. And the process is relationship (with treats 😉 ).

This how our world was built to work. Fixes do not fall out of the sky. Consider Advent. Our Salvation was born and raised. He dwelt among us. And each of us, walking with Him, are “being saved” (1Co 1:18).

So, am I less aggressive? Less envious. Less selfish. Less… Every day with God I am a bit better. Closer to being fixed. But, even still broken, somehow I am family. Just like we rearranged the tree for Appa, God prepared a place in heaven for us.