This past weekend, we took a program trip to Lake Tekapo/Mt. Cook to explore the area. While I was there, I was able to spot a Mackenzie Sheep Dog Statue. It was erected in 1968 to serve as a tribute to the dogs used by Scottish shepherds during the 19th century. When I first heard about the statue, the only thought that came into my mind was ‘aww that’s cute that they have a dog statue’. However, I soon found out that there were more meanings to this statue to me than I realized.

My oldest sister visited New Zealand last year with her boyfriend to travel around the country. They did a similar weekend trip in which they hiked several mountains including Mt. Cook and also visited Lake Tekapo. While they were laying in front of the dog statue watching the stars and Milky Way at Lake Tekapo, her boyfriend proposed to her (ahhhhhh). I knew that she got engaged somewhere in New Zealand, but I didn’t realize that it was under this same statue that I was able to see. After finding out this information, my perspective of the place changed – it became meaningful to me that I was able to spend time at a place that held a special memory for my sister.

While I revisited the statue to look at it one more time, my mind explored around The statue made me think that it was protecting the place and the people. Since it is right around the coast line, it felt as if the dog was watching over the horizon to provide protection and safety to the people that visited Lake Tekapo. As shepherd dogs provide the same meaning of protecting sheeps and making sure they are not endangered, I felt as if the statue provided the same meaning except with locals and visitors that come to the area.

Looking past the statue, I was able to take a look at the view of Lake Tekapo. Although it was raining, it was still so pretty to see the nature. The water still had that “Gatorade frost” tint to it although the sun was not shining on it. The nature view of New Zealand made me appreciate this trip so much more as it was so peaceful and beautiful. It made me appreciate the dog statue even more as it was surrounded by such a gorgeous place.