It is strange sometimes to see how animals slide into our lives, bringing love into it that is just nothing short of magical.
Our little dingo like creature has stolen everyones hearts, including my husbands.
She is the first one to great him when he comes home, and his stance on “Animals must be outside at all times” has turned into “Dingos must be inside at all times, save for potty breaks and chasing squirrels”.
She used to sleep in a crate at night, until we got her a little nest like bed. Now every evening Bill brings her bed into our room and places it ON our bed near the foot, and Honey jumps up and snuggles down in it for the night.
This is huge. The man would NEVER consider allowing a dog in his bed before. Ever. What you have here is the melting of his practical, man heart…for a dog.
She is really captivating. She is smart, affectionate, and excellent with the kids. Every morning we go to wake up her “Boys”. She runs in each room, gets on their beds and jumps on them, licking and wagging her tail. Then she moves on to the next room. She knows Mia as her “Baby” and Bill is “Daddy’s Home” because she hears the kids yell that when they hear his key in the lock.
She follows me everywhere. I cannot leave the room without her tagging along and finding a spot next to me to curl up. It is better than a fireplace.
Honey is a pound puppy. A dog that someone rejected. She was elusive when we first got her. She would not make eye contact with me at all. Nothing I could do would make her look at my face. I don’t take that as a sign of physical abuse, but just plain neglect. She didn’t know how to relate to people at all.
Now she is one of us. A people dog. She will come up to me and I can take her face in my hands and she will gaze into my eyes. Her face softens and her ears go down, and she wags her tail. She does not avert her gaze, ever.
In college I was told by my Animal Behavior professor that dogs have no self awareness…..that they have no souls.
I strongly disagreed then, and I still do today. When Honey looks me in the eye, and holds my gaze, I see pure joy and love, radiating from her soul.
I do not believe that the ability to feel and give love can experienced by something without a soul.
When I was about 8yo, I had a pet mouse that died after 3 years of being in my life. I remember crying to the priest at my school…the same priest who baptised me and married Bill and I. I was crying because someone had told me that mice don’t go to heaven….that pets do not have souls. To this day I will not forget what he said. With a smile full of God’s love and peace, and a soft voice he said “Oh child. I believe that God has a place in his kingdom for all of the creatures he created and loves.”
You know what…..I think he was right.
*the above photo was blurry, but I loved it, so I hope it doesn’t make you go crosseyed.






Oh my goodness how cute! And reminds me so much of my two pooches–same color with white markings
Fr. Worrell was so right about animals and their souls. I remember when his dog was lost, and they found her. He brought ice cream for all of the third grade to celebrate. Do you remember that? Dogs have a wonderful ability to love. I loved Little in particular — I know you must miss her. But I know she will be waiting for us in heaven one day.
Aw! He’s a keeper. I love the two photos of him with your son, just priceless.
I loved that middle image of your son and your dog.
PS My grandfather started a fellowship at Columbia University in the 1920s or 30s that was awarded to a person each year who would do research on dog feelings and dog souls….
The photo on the boat is amazing. I just stared at it for about 10m. What expression in that face!
Aww, thats is so sweet. I totally agree. I can’t picture Heaven without animals. Your little dog is a cutey.
Maybe dogs have a soul and maybe they don’t but that one sure seems to have a lot of heart.
Dogs do have souls. My dog was also a pound special, unwanted and dumped as a pup. She was sooooo needy (still is) but believe it or not, she taught me how to love something and to mother. Sounds weird, but it is true. Shortly thereafter, I found out I was expecting the oldest. Funny how life works out. I credit HER with making me a good mommy.
What a wonderful priest that was to say something so meaningful to a small child.