Days 19-20 – The Friendly Beasts – A Guest Column by Candace Nagle

[Special thanks to reader and caregiver Candace Nagle (left) for submitting today's essay.]

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” Charles M. Schulz

In 1959 religious songs and holidays were at the heart of my school celebrations. Our second grade class put on a production of The Nativity for our families and classmates. I was an angel with beautiful wings and this was a lovely feeling.

But, what claimed my heart and brought the story to life was singing “The Friendly Beasts." To envision baby Jesus surrounded by warm furry creatures who loved and cared for him was visceral and alive for me. Even now, when I sing this song to myself there is a calm that enters my heart.

Today there are loving animals giving of their generous souls to humans in need everywhere. Just as the donkey carried Mary to the stable, the cow gave Jesus her manger, and the dove sang him a lullaby to still his crying, these caregivers of many breeds and species work eagerly and ceaselessly to bring comfort and healing to those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit.

Pet therapy animals have become a very important part of integrative medicine. In hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, drug and alcohol rehab centers, and hospices, there are Mainecoons and Tabbies, Collies and Chihuahuas, Bunnies and Fish all offering physical affection, laughter, exercise, and love to those who are in need.

A multitude of studies have shown the beneficial health effects of animal therapy; lowering blood pressure, increasing dopamine, lowering cortisol, alleviating depression, boosting immune responses and on and on.

Bottom line? It is just good to love and be loved, to touch and be touched, to have someone warm breathing next to you.

Whether dragging a human out to exercise at the end of a leash ( Charlotte and my grumpy neighbor), playing catch at Seattle’s Childrens’ Hospital (Sugar Bear the Retriever), or purring in the lap of an elder (Moorea the Calico), with a wag of tail, a lick of tongue, and pat of paw, these sweet souls give folks a reason to get up in the morning, something to laugh about, and, often even a purpose to live.

Here is a link I hope you will enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ljAoItl28&feature=email

-Candace Nagle

Published by

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b

Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: Candace Nagle, Journal of Sacred Work, Pet Therapy

5 responses to “Days 19-20 – The Friendly Beasts – A Guest Column by Candace Nagle”

stephanie

January 19, 2012 at 11:09 am

Thanks, Candace, for this reminder of God’s love through animals. I believe that they each know God in their own special way.

LikeLike

Reply
Barb

January 19, 2012 at 2:15 pm

When I was going through chemotherapy there was a lovely lady who brought her pet therapy dogs into the infusion area. Her dogs were rescued and were very attentive to her and to us who were hooked up to the IVs. The dogs would go chair to chair, stop, smile, wag, lick, get petted, and some (like me) would hold them. All of us looked forward to every other Thursday pet therapy time, and the dogs really enjoyed their ‘work’ in helping bring a little joy to our day. Thank you for your reflection today and bringing back this memory!

LikeLike

Reply
~liz Wessel

January 19, 2012 at 9:15 pm

Thank you Candace for sharing these healing insights. We recently lost our beloved family member, Pudge, a chow chow. I miss him each day but I feel presence with us. The unconditional love we receive from our pets is phenomenal. As humans, so often we place judgements and conditions on our relationships. Dare I say, pets seem to have evolved to a higher level of consciousness?
I’ve heard it said, “My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.” -unknown
Yet, what I desire most is to learn to love as pets do, unconditionally, where my irrational fears of indifference, rejection or walling off isolation all disappear.

LikeLike

Reply
candace nagle

January 20, 2012 at 9:17 am

Me too, Liz. People do all of those behaviors in their woundedness. You always know where you stand with the four-leggeds. I thought of Pudge while I was writing this essay. Bless his soul…and yours.

LikeLike

Reply
Marily

January 21, 2012 at 1:00 am

For the timeless love we receive from our furry caregivers brings us blessings even after they passes on. Memories that warms our hearts in times as cold as any winter in the world. Thank you Candace.

LikeLike

Reply