Our Watchman on the Wall!

Here is a picture of our new guardian dog, Zeke.  Yes, I know it's a little fuzzy.  But Zeke is still pretty bouncy, and it's hard to get him to pose for pictures!

You may remember the famous thirty-third chapter of the prophet Ezekiel.  In it the Lord comes to Ezekiel and reminds him:  “I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 33:7).  He also instructs the prophet to warn the teachers of Israel of their solemn responsibility to guard the people of God, just like the guards who used to be posted on the walls of ancient cities.  Then, in the very next chapter, the teachers of Israel are reminded again of their responsibility for the people under their care, but this time under the image of shepherds.

Zeke is a Great Pyrenees.  These sturdy, heavy-boned, beautiful white dogs have been bred as what is called Guardian Dogs.  That is not quite the same as a “watch dog,” which typically is trained to guard property.  It is also not the same as “shepherding dogs,” which are trained to herd livestock.  Guardian dogs are bred and raised to guard their charges from dangerous enemies.  Here in East Texas we have some—for example, coyotes, hawks, and even wild boar, all of which can do serious harm, especially to our free-ranging chickens.  So Zeke’s job, though not as important as his Bible namesake’s, is to bond with the other livestock of Shady Grove Ranch and guard them from any harm.  He’s just a soft fuzzy puppy now, but those varmints are on notice!

And what better name for a guardian dog than the great watchman prophet of the Bible—Ezekiel.  Welcome to your new home, Zeke!