Holy Dog?

I suffer from depression and slight bipolar disease; my daughter has recently been diagnosed bipolar. Our 4 dogs are some of our best therapists. We have to get out of bed to take care of their needs, which then allows us to take care of ourselves. While my daughter was in a day treatment program, therapy dogs were brought in near the end of her stay. She was able to relax and lie on the floor with one of them--totally freed from stress, if only for a few minutes. We wouldn't trade our dogs for anything!

Hi I'm a 40 yr old depressive writer with a history of hospitalizaiton. Heaven sent me my mystical dog and best friend at the start of my first marriage. She saw me through that abusive marriage, the even more abusive divorce, and the death of my father, among other things. We both joined a group where we went with other dogs and their humans to visit hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Her brother, who I aquired later on, had a less loving temperament. I assigned him the task of picking out my second husband for me, which he did by walking over and kissing him on the face (highly unusual behavior for him) the first time he visited my home. Rosebud stick around to see my into the first couple years of my happy second marriage, then had to be helped back home to heaven at age 7 (the day of my 35th birthday) due to kidney failure. Dogs are great at everthing that doesn't come naturally to me--namely playing, forgiving and resting. These gifts and their offerings of joy, gratitude and unconditional love gently ease and nudge me onto higher planes of consciousness, awareness and evolution. I currently have 3 rescued mixed breed dogs but think that truthfully I'm the one who's been rescued.

I owe my dog to my survival over the past 2 years. My dog has been by my side through more kidney surgeries than I can count, my Father's death, my Mother in law's death, and the loss of my job because of my kidney disease. In the middle of all this, she had to have TPLO surgery on her right knee. I had just lost my job, so I had to borrow $5,000.00 to cover the surgery. While she was recovering, her left hind leg went bad and she had to have the same surgery. Talk about stress! I moved mountains to come up with the money and after 6 months of tranquilizing and keeping my "Mutt" confined to a cage, we are now hiking the hills again! My depression was huge and I realize now that she was my angel that carried me through. Most people think I'm nuts to have spent 10,000.00 on a "Mutt", but it was the best money I ever spent! Her unconditional love keeps me going every day! Thanks Jayla! :-)

Every creation of God constitutes a miracle...all we need to do is see them for that, whether we are discussing dogs, cats, birds, fish, people, or anything at all. This doesn't even take into account that "D-O-G" spelled backwards is....

I have a 5 year old multicolored 10 pound poodle named beast. I have had him since he was 6 weeks old. Living alone , he sleep with me and is always waitin on the back of a love seat, wagging his tail and jumping up and down. I thank God for him every day for sending him to me. He is the best companion I have ever had.

My grown daughter picked Sally to be my companion from all the dogs in the shelters that we visited. The women in the shelter said, "She is the nicest dog that I have ever met" and I said to myself, "yeah, right--they are ALL the nicest dogs, lady. That is what you say to everybody, just to get these poor dogs placed"! This was 10 years ago. Well, Sally is the nicest dog that I have ever met. The best adjective to describe her is "polite". She is cognizant of the fact that different people have different temperaments and moods. She will not go into a bedroom, unless she is specifically invited to come in and this invitation is for that one occasion only! Her only "bad dog" behavior is being scrappy with other dogs and she gets into the garbage, if the opportunity presents itself. In exchange for my understanding these behaviors are part of her package, I get a loyal and compassionate dog. Her favorite activity is sleeping next to my chair. On 9/11, I was in the World Trade Center. I am handicapped by arthritis and use a scooter to cover longer distances. On that day, I had to abandon my scooter and make it down the stairs. As I was taking one step at a time, I realized that my children were grown and "done deals" and I did not have to worry about them. The thought of Sally entered my mind and I realized that her dog walker loved her and would take care of her. All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other and GET OUT of that building. I kept the thought of my two daughters and my dog in front of my consciousness and put my faith in God and made it out. When I got home that night, Sally came to me very quietly and waited for me to get settled in my chair. She sat my side and kept her eye on me. Since that fateful day, I have had 3 surgeries to allow me to walk more easily. Each time that I came home from the hospital, Sally would quietly greet me and settle in next to me to "keep an eye" on me. Sally is a combination of faithful dog and non-obtrusive angel. The thought of Sally worrying about me has kept me alive and coming home for the time that we have been together. I have heard it said that when you die, your pets will be there to greet you. If Sally's death pre-dates mine, I can not think of one of God's creatures that I would rather have to orient me to heaven, than my friend Sally.

I suffer from Depression which is generated by syndrome and two chronic diseases and all their small side effects I have. A friend (more like an Angel) provides for me four THERAPAUTIC cats. They all are black cats. They are my salvation!! I would end back up in the hospital if I did not have them. When I am at the computer there is one on the window ledge beside of me, one on the printer on my desk. Another on the table to my right side. They are VERY acute to the times I do not feel well. There are three that will go "to bed with me". I am covered with unconditional love. They are my reason for getting out of bed each day. I have to feed and take care of them!! God promised me love and they certainly provide it!!

We have two mutts. When I was going through the deepest depression of my life and following my suicide attempt in '99 I had time to walk the dog. I didn't have any interest in any other exercise at the time. Jake, the older of the two mutts, was the only dog at the time. I needed to get outside and enjoy the neighborhood. Once in a while someone would smile at me when I didn't have any hope. I have hope and smile a lot to strangers because it made a small diffenence when I needed it most. It has a ripple effect. At the time of this "dark night of the soul" I knew how to pray, but didn't know how to connect to God again. Through much grief work, therapy and daily medication, which is now a maintanence level, I have rejoined the human race, one day at a time. Life is worth living. So in the Big Picture sort of way the dog(s) did help me reconnect with God along with everything else. The young rottwiller puppy gets the most walks these days and I go along for the exercise. By God's grace, Joseph/twin to Gerard John

I definitely think that pets teach us a lot about unconditional love(which is what God and godliness are all about.) Pets love you no matter what kind of mood you are in and stay by your side when your not feeling well.They are always happy to see you and greet you. I remember one time I had a migraine and laid in bed for days. My dog never left my side and I told everyone if I died first she probably would lay at my grave till she died . Unfortunately she passed few years ago and it broke my heart.I felt a bond with her closer than most human relationships. My husband quickly replaced her with another beagle pup and even though I complained that I didn't want another dog she has brought a lot of joy to us. She goes for walks with me which is a good time for prayer and reflection once again bringing God into my life.

The dog who stole bread from his master and snuck it to St. Roch in the woods did it because he recognized he was Holy. Same with the birds who sat still for St. Francis of Assisi's sermons, or the woodland creatures who gathered food for Paul the Hermit.

St. Roch's dog could even be said to have led his master to God, because his master eventually followed him, discovered St. Roch, and was converted.

Since many animals in Catholicism, and religious traditions around the world are viewed as being "able to sense the divine," I don't find it the least bit surprising or unusual that someone should turn to God because he sees the beauty of creation in his own dog's eyes.