Angels and Animals
Angel means "messenger," and these messengers come in many different guises. Here you can tell others what four-footed, two-footed, no-footed, or winged being brought you a message for which you are grateful.

My black lab has been a guiding light through the angst of these past few weeks. Especially on September 11th itself, when it felt like the whole world was crumbling, she was the only being in my life still full of enthusiasm, joy, and overflowing love. It was a blessing that she didn't have the kind of brain/heart that comprehends this scale of tragedy. Instead, she had the kind of brain/heart that's sensitive to feelings and unwavering in loyal companionship. That was a big piece of what I've needed recently, and I'm ceaselessly grateful for her.
- R.G., New Jersey   1 Oct 2001

Thanks for mentioning the role of dogs in the past few weeks' events, R.G. I was moved to tears upon seeing a photo of one of the rescue dogs -- a border collie from Utah -- on top of a pile of rubble, looking utterly forlorn not because he was tired or his feet hurt, but because he wanted so much to find someone alive. If only we humans had half as much authenticity. Thankfully, many do...but we have so much to learn from our animal friends.
- Joyce, Columbus, OH   1 Oct 2001

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about gratefulness and animals is this stanza from Gary Snyder's "Prayer for the Great Family" in TURTLE ISLAND: "Gratitude to Wild Beings, our brothers, teaching secrets,freedoms, and ways; who share with us their milk; self-complete, brave, and aware/in our minds so be it." Snyder models his poem after a Mohawk prayer, keenly aware of the respect which the first peoples of this land gave to animals and to the elements of nature. Since these indigenous cultures did not have an ecological crisis, I can only conclude that their wisdom in such matters is greater than ours, and that we need to start seeing animals and our environment with the reverence that they did (and still do). To me, that's one crucial step in the chain of change that can bring about a world at peace.
- Sam L., San Francisco   1 Oct 2001

I am grateful for my dog Pookie. Every morning she wakes me up by licking my face and jamming her nose in my belly until I have to laugh. It's the best way to become awake enough to get ready for school! Every afternnon I see her sitting in the driveway, waiting for the school bus to let me off. The last thing I am aware of before falling asleep at night is Pookie's head on my legs. I sort of feel my dog is my guardian angel and that she's always watching over me. That's why I love her so much.
- Lizzy, Fair Haven, NY   1 Oct 2001

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Peace to all Creation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- June H., Florida Keeshond Rescue, Jacksonville, Florida   17 Oct 2001

A week after the terrorist attacks, I took my 10 month old Golden Retreiver, Jonah Joseph, to a local swimming pool which opens up to the dogs once a year. Jonah swam for the first time, and his little soaking wet face when he actually realized he was SWIMMING was so full of delight, astonishment, joy, empowerment and pure bliss washed me completely clean of the horrors. Everyone there, over 85 dogs and their assorted people, were having the time of their lives, amidst the grief! I wish you could have been there!
- Susan Shawn, Portland, Oregon   18 Oct 2001

Muggsy had been with us 10 years now. He made the transition five years ago from neighborhood/backyard dog to city dog with ease. My husband has charge of the “weekday” dog and I serve the “night and weekend” dog. A large dog in a downtown setting becomes a passport. In the very early morning and at night I can wander through sections of town that my previous neighbors would hesitate to go in the daytime. Our regular routine has provided the grid work for many unusual and surprising encounters with the unique populations that inhabit the same territory at different times of the day. I have had probably over 100 conversations that would never have happened had there been no dog. In the space of a 5-block walk a man told me his sad story about his wife’s struggle with cancer and his attempts to rebuild his life. A woman stopped and cried as she petted Muggsy, remembering her pets she had to give up. I had no idea how many people are able to talk to animals and understand. Every one had told me that our dog is a very happy creature and glad to be with us. One storeowner cautioned me about walking in the area and said I needed two lions to keep me safe. The next evening a drunk stopped and admired and called Muggsy a “Lion.” On rainy and cold nights the homeless have admonished me to make sure that I keep my companion warm and fed. The stories just beg to be told. And sometimes it takes a dog to get the listening started.
- Cheryl F. Mc, Portland, Oregon   3 Nov 2001

When my cat, Chloe, wants to wake me up in the morning, she hits the "repeat" button on my answering machine, on my bedside table. Beep! Beep! Beep! it goes. If I don't get up, she continues to hit it until I do!
- joan casey, Santa Clara, Calif.   3 Nov 2001

I am so thankful for my Cats, Norton, Jennifer, Arnold, Brooke, Dexter, Betsy and my Cats that are in Heaven... Alice, Russell and Alan... and for my Dogs in Heaven... Zipper and Chopper... and for my tortoise in Heaven... Sam. Without them, my life would be incomplete. I love them I love them more than life itself and am thankful to God for blessing me with these critters.
- Todd, Aptos, CA   21 Nov 2001

I am so lucky to see an albino fawn come into my backyard just outside the window of my new home. He or she comes up out of the woods along with 'normal' Mom and a 'normal' sibling. The first time I saw it nibbling on my hostas I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming! I asked all my neighbors if they had ever seen it. No one has. Since then I have seen it 3 more times, always with its family. I feel blessed by its presence in my woods, in my life. Officially, it may not be a mythical animal but to me it is always a sign to wake-up and appreciate everything. These days, everytime I hear the hunter's gunshots, I worry, for the little white one and all the other deer. Has anyone else ever seen an albino fawn? It's spots are brown!
- LF, Ithaca, NY   30 Nov 2001

Brother David, when I read your response to Todd I started to cry, because I'm not sure I know "what heaven means." Sometimes it seems very evasive. But my dog, who had been asleep, heard me and looked over at me comfortingly, as if to say the meaning is not so far away as I think.
- Cindy k., Columbus, OH   12 Dec 2001

This morning when I came back from my run, I saw an extended family of deer out by the corral. They were all looking at me, and I felt incredibly grateful that they stood there and let me look back. They looked so beautiful against a backdrop of crystalline-white snow and brilliant blue sky, and the gentleness of their spirits reached out and touched me. I felt so overwhelmed that I wanted to drop to the ground and kiss the earth and shout out my thanks to God for moments such as these.
- Susan, Parker, Colorado   23 Dec 2001