If there is one thing I have always struggled with, it is having determination for a task I see as impossible. I am sure all of us have been there – when we are given an assignment or task that seems like a lot of work without a beneficial outcome. While it is easy for us to feel that way, I have seen an inspiring show of determination from an unexpected place.

My two dogs, Gracie and Maggie, are both Brittneys, a dog breed trained for bird hunting. Neither of them were ever trained for bird hunting, but as with any dog breed that has a specific purpose, the instinct to chase birds is still there. Over spring break, we were out visiting a friend’s farm when my dogs spotted two geese on the small lake on the property. Instinct kicked in, and suddenly, they were diving into the lake, ready to swim down the geese.

The geese, however, were ready to throw in a challenge. They would repeatedly fly from one end of the lake to the other, and my dogs, not missing a beat, would do a u-turn and follow after them. This went on for 30 minutes, without either dog leaving the lake. It only ended when the geese flew off, and my dogs were forced to abandon their chase.

As silly as this story is, it has gotten me thinking. Yes, it was obvious from the shore that no matter how hard they swam, Gracie and Maggie would not be able to catch the geese in this scenario. But they still put their all into attempting it because they had faith they would succeed even when my family and I did not.

And so, I challenge you to consider this: what would our likelihood of completing difficult tasks be if we faced them with a dog’s determination?