If I could talk to the Animals

          I have never purchased a dog. Rather, I believe God has put certain dogs on the path I have walked so that we would come across one another. I  met Bella on a cold winter's day. She was literally running down US 68 in front of a long string of cars. A tractor trailer, going in the opposite direction, spooked the dog sending her scrambling up a hill of rocks. I pulled over and tried to call her down from the top of the pile. When she would not come to me, I climbed the rocks to get to her. She was trembling so hard that she dug her nails into my collar bone as I wrapped my arms around her attempting to hold on to her. By the time we got to my driveway, the dog had fallen asleep in the front passenger seat of my car, her head in my lap. It was mutual love at first sight.

          I think Bella believes God gave her dominion over me rather than the other way around. She does not hesitate to tell me her opinion and if I do not appear to understand what she is saying, which is most of the time, Bella gets louder and more animated.  If only I had the talents of  Dr. Doolittle....

           I wonder, what is it that brings us into such close harmony with the creatures we welcome into our lives? I recently watched a video concerning a giant manta ray that was tangled up in a fishing net. The manta ray approached a couple of divers, swimming directly at them. Upon seeing the ray's situation, one of the  divers carefully removed the net that was beginning to cut into the ray's flesh. After it was freed, the manta ray immediately swam away, but then it turned around and swam back the diver who had freed it from the net. The ray came inches from the diver's face allowing the diver to stroke it, hovered there for several seconds and then swam away. In early summer, I read an article about an elephant that had been taken from its mother before it was weaned. The elephant had spent its life chained to a tree. Though many people had offered to buy the elephant, the person who owned it refused all offers. Several months ago, a group of people came in the night and cut the chains that were holding the elephant to the tree. People reported that when the elephant was freed and took its first steps void of the heavy chains that had held it for so many years, the elephant cried. Last night, I read an article and watched a corresponding video about a sea turtle that had become entangled in a fishing line. When a diver cut the line and unwrapped it from around the turtle's flippers, the turtle quickly swam away from the group of divers. But then, as with the manta ray, the turtle turned around and swam back to be face to face with the diver who had freed it from the line.

           Bella is one in a long line of dogs and other animals who have lived out their lives in my company. They have greeted me at the day as if I have I have been gone for months when perhaps it has been only a matter of minutes. They have listened patiently, sat up with me when I have been unable to sleep, kept watch when I have been ill and guarded  me when persons or animals unknown to them have crossed our path. . They have humbled me with the love and loyalty they shown me. I know I am not alone in the love I have for my pets.

          These past few weeks, as I have prepared for the Blessing of the Animals, I have observed, even more closely than usual, the relationships my pets have with me and with one another. Bella and company are blessings God has given me. I love them because I see in them a love they have for me. Each of the thirteen dogs that have lived their lives with me have been unique unto themselves. Though I have had dominance over each of them and am responsible for their care I have also shared an independence with them. They all have been and continue to be such blessings in my life. Thank you God for all the canine blessings you have showered upon me. Amen.