Lions and Loyalties
Dear Jesse,
Have you ever heard of the Lion of Dogs? In China, that is the name for Tibetan mastiffs. More than 40,000 of the dogs were purchased there last year. They are now considered a status symbol for the rich.
The Tibetan mastiffs were tamed in the Himalayan region about 6,000 years ago. Genghis Khan, conquering ruler of Mongolia, formed an army of 30,000 mastiffs in the 13th century. Can you even imagine a whole army of dogs?
They are regarded as the oldest, biggest, and fiercest domestic dog. They can be as tall as 31 inches and weigh up to 220 pounds. They are known to be loyal and fearless and will fight to protect their owners. They are also supposed to be able to smell an avalanche ahead of time. Yet most of those currently being sold and purchased in China end up living in cities.
The dogs can be extremely expensive. A Tibetan mastiff that won a dog show in northeast China this year was valued at 30 million RMB (Chinese dollars). That's almost four million U.S. dollars! What in the world could make a big furry dog with sad eyes that special?
Actually, nothing! The willingness of people to pay such high prices for a house pet says much more about their own values than about the animal itself. Animals can be great fun and can make great companions. But God did not create any of them to be worshipped. Nor can He possibly be pleased to see people spend such amounts of money on animals when there is such human need.
When I think about this, it reminds me that my focus should always be on pleasing the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, and in telling others about the all powerful, all knowing, loving and merciful God. The Bible says, "How can they know unless someone tells them?" That's exactly what we need to do. Tell them about the Lion of Judah!
Love from China,
Auntie D
Have you ever heard of the Lion of Dogs? In China, that is the name for Tibetan mastiffs. More than 40,000 of the dogs were purchased there last year. They are now considered a status symbol for the rich.
The Tibetan mastiffs were tamed in the Himalayan region about 6,000 years ago. Genghis Khan, conquering ruler of Mongolia, formed an army of 30,000 mastiffs in the 13th century. Can you even imagine a whole army of dogs?
They are regarded as the oldest, biggest, and fiercest domestic dog. They can be as tall as 31 inches and weigh up to 220 pounds. They are known to be loyal and fearless and will fight to protect their owners. They are also supposed to be able to smell an avalanche ahead of time. Yet most of those currently being sold and purchased in China end up living in cities.
The dogs can be extremely expensive. A Tibetan mastiff that won a dog show in northeast China this year was valued at 30 million RMB (Chinese dollars). That's almost four million U.S. dollars! What in the world could make a big furry dog with sad eyes that special?
Actually, nothing! The willingness of people to pay such high prices for a house pet says much more about their own values than about the animal itself. Animals can be great fun and can make great companions. But God did not create any of them to be worshipped. Nor can He possibly be pleased to see people spend such amounts of money on animals when there is such human need.
When I think about this, it reminds me that my focus should always be on pleasing the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, and in telling others about the all powerful, all knowing, loving and merciful God. The Bible says, "How can they know unless someone tells them?" That's exactly what we need to do. Tell them about the Lion of Judah!
Love from China,
Auntie D
This Tibetan mastiff is known as the "Lion of Dogs."
Ghengis Khan put together an army of 30,000 mastiffs!
posted by Auntie D and Jesse @ Wednesday, August 15, 2007
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