MINISTRY WITH DAWGS

About ten years ago, I started seriously noting the relationships between animals and between animals and people. Some of these observations have been shared by my own dogs in Dawg Notes over the years. In the almost three years that I have been walking dogs at the local animal shelter, I have gained insight into interactions among creatures.

The title started somewhat as a pun on my "ministry going to the dogs." Then the prepositions became important. This was not ministry to the dogs - I am not sure that they really cared about my concepts, and it was not ministry for the dogs. The benefit was as much for my spiritual practice as it was for their well-being. There is a mutuality that compels the concept of with.

This will be brief excerpts and reflections, possibly at times written from a dog's perspective, and possibly reflecting on learnings from my own dogs as well as those at the humane society.

Your comments and reactions and thoughts are welcome.

Helen Zidowecki, hzmre@hzmre.com