  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: SophyBells  
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. This week we'll talk about the spiritual connection we have with animals -- in particular for me, with dogs -- and what they can teach us about the Sacred.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Lord Help Me Be the Person My Dog Thinks I Am
From a bumper sticker we have on our car 
Recently our beloved dog Kayla almost died from a condition that "older" Labrador retrievers sometimes get called laryngeal paralysis. Basically, the flaps that allow oxygen in and out through her larynx (and keep food and water out of her lungs) were no longer working correctly, and one hot and humid summer day, she collapsed after a short walk outside because they weren't working at all and thus she was unable to get enough air. We rushed her to the emergency vet where they cooled her down, sedated her, and put her on oxygen.
To say it was frightening would be an understatement -- the drive to the vet was the longest one of my life as the thought of losing her was almost more than I could bear. After the initial crisis passed, because Kayla is 10 and in very good physical shape otherwise, surgery was recommended to correct the problem so that she could maintain a longer, happier life. The surgery was risky for a variety of reasons, but because she was such a good candidate for a full recovery, we decided it was worth the risk. And now, a month later, other than her funny haircut from being shaved for the surgery, you wouldn't know all she's been through because she's already back to her usual, loving, happy self.
My husband and I love Kayla more than we love a lot of people we know  , and she is a valued member of our little family. Some people don't understand how we can love her as much as we do (and spend as much money as we spent on her surgery!) -- and I respect that they have a different perspective on animals and pets than we do. But we have always valued animals -- all animals -- as precious co-members of this sacred creation. And we have in particular given our hearts to each of our own pets, both when we were children in our family's of origin, and since we got married almost 23 years ago and became our own family.
Grizabella was first -- we adopted her when we were in graduate school. We were looking for a younger male Siamese cat (or kitten) and put the word out to our local shelter. They called a few months later, saying they had a young male Siamese cat for us -- we arrived to find an old, arthritic, female cat hobbling toward us (at least they got the Siamese part right!) who we fell in love with and took home even though she was neither young nor male, naming her Grizabella after the wise old soul from the musical "Cats." We had her with us for two years before she died of old age just before we moved to Iowa to start our careers in 1989.
Next was Dugan -- a tiny Siamese kitten we got soon after we moved to Iowa. A year later came Sheba -- a rescue dog from local shelter. Sheba was 9-months old and had been abused, left chained up outside. She was beautiful -- a white shepherd husky mix who looked like a white wolf. She stole our hearts, began to heal from her past, and became an integral part of our little family, moving to Illinois with us with her "brother" Dugan in 1997. A few years after we arrived in Illinois, Kayla came into our lives, rescued when she was two years old from the local shelter as my birthday present from my husband. Our family was complete, for a time. We lost Sheba in 2004 at the age of 14 -- followed by Dugan in 2006 at the age of 17. We weren't ready to lose another one so soon, and are grateful Kayla survived her (and our!) traumatic ordeal.
Here they are:
 
So why am I telling you all of this in a spiritual newsletter? Well, as I stated earlier, I believe animals are a valued part of creation. They are mentioned in all spiritual and religious traditions, from their origins in multiple creations stories, to the central role they play in many spiritual paths. And while for centuries humans have acted on the assumption that we are the dominant species, giving us free rein to use and abuse animals in whatever way we see fit, many people from a variety of religious perspectives are beginning to see how wrong that attitude has been (and still is, unfortunately), as well as starting to value animals as, if not equal, at least valuable members of our world to be cared for and not mistreated.
For me personally, on a spiritual level, animals have a lot to teach me about the nature of the Sacred, as well as how to live fulfilled lives. For instance Kayla teaches me a lot about unconditional love -- she adores me, and no one is happier to see me come home than Kayla, whether I've been gone for 10 minutes or 4 hours. What joy it brings me to see another living creature so thrilled by my presence, what a gift it is! Then there is her amazing Buddhist nature, which teaches me so much -- Kayla lives in the moment and does not worry about the next hour or the next day. She lives in the now, and is a patient teacher. And there is of course her zest for life -- her excitement about whatever might be next in her day -- whether it's a walk around the block, or a car trip to the vet, or playing chase in the backyard with the neighbor's cat. She is filled with joy, enthusiastic about what might lie ahead for her.
There is so much more I could share -- those of you who have pets know exactly what I am talking about. But I'll end here with these final thoughts -- and I look forward to hearing from others of you about your spiritual connection with animals. This subject is certainly good fodder for spiritual writing (see the many selections below). For me, animals are a gift from the Sacred, who enhance our lives in more ways than we can count. They feed us, they keep us warm, and more importantly, they love and comfort us when we need it the most. And they give us a glimpses into the realm of the Holy.
Is it any wonder that Dog is God spelled backwards? 
SophyBells |
Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about the spiritual connection we have with animals. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Now for a few comments about my last newsletter about how our spiritual paths may be more alike than different, and incorporating that truth into our writing:
From Lauriemariepea 
hi, sophy--
another thoughtful newsletter, thank you! as a non-practitioner of any spiritual faith, i'm often unsure when writing a character who is a believer. growing up outside the culture and mindset (and heartset) of any faith, i feel there must be a gulf between us; i assume i was just born without that particular ability to suspend disbelief.
i love thoughtful, questioning spiritual characters (and people) for their mysterious calm in the face of earthly trials, and am drawn to them both in my writing and my life. maybe someday i'll get it right.
Just trying is half the battle! Glad you enjoyed the newsletter, and thank you for sharing from your perspective.
     
From Noa נעה
Wonderful job with this newsletter! As an Israeli, I have had a lifelong opportunity to witness all three monotheistic religions pray in the same vicinity in cities like Jerusalem, and it is a fascinating sight.
As a Jew, my interpretation of a Talmudic or Biblibcal story may vary from Christians or Muslims, and I think your idea that by examining different sides of the same stories may sharpen one's own understanding is very insightful. Perhaps the key to cooperation between religions is respect and understanding, yes? But do you think religion is too personal and controversial an entity to be used to inspire cooperation?
I think sometimes when one speaks of one's religion, one may feel challenged or threatened by the personal opinions of others.
Wow, what an amazing experience and perspective you have as an Israeli, thank you for sharing! As to your question about religion being too personal and controversial to inspire cooperation -- of course it can be, and the result of that has been witnessed far too often throughout human history. But while religion is certainly personal, it also has a social aspect, a looking outward as well as inward -- and the more we are willing to look outside of ourselves and perhaps even be open to learning from the wisdom of those who may be different than we are, the more we can learn and enhance our own beliefs. At least that is what I believe.
From Angelsmom
Hi Sophie,
Thank you for writing this. I am encouraged by this newletter and your comments are inspiring. What you have written makes me think of something I often say when many topic's come up. How would I think differently if I had been born...in another place or time? Africa...Austraila...China...100 years ago...a 100 years from now? We get so narrow minded sometimes and I am very happy to not be the judge of anyone! Thank you for including "Things I Know". I have read and reviewed others you have put on here and have been blessed because you choose it to post. Good Bless Angels Mom
Thank YOU for sharing -- and I agree -- where we are born, when we are born, as a lot to do with how we end up spiritually. And narrow-mindedness is the exact opposite of what spirituality calls us to -- we are called to be loving and open to others, even those who are different from us, and not to judge. So you are on the right track there absolutely.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated!
Until next time! SophyBells
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Spiritual: July 29, 2009 Issue [#3190]
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