The Human-Animal Bond

I was at a Blessing of the Animals at my previous church where there was a young boy who cried all through the blessing. Once the pastor finished, he asked the boy why he was upset. The boy replied, “I didn’t know I could bring my pet to church”. To which the pastor replied, “You can bring your pet to church next week and we’ll do a special blessing, our pets are a blessing to us every day not just on one day.” The pastor failed to ask however what “type” of pet this little boy had and on the following Sunday he did indeed bring his pet, a very large lizard, to church and a special blessing was said for this special pet. As funny as this turned out to be, the pastor was correct, pets are a blessing to us every day.

The human-animal bond is an important relationship with mental, emotional and physical benefits for both pets and people. The bond between an animal and human is unconditional and nonjudgmental. Our pets are with us through thick and thin, they add joy, laughter, comfort, support and even protection. Studies have shown that pets can reduce anxiety and stress, lower your blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart disease, increase social interactions, provide assistance and help people manage their mental health. I have a sign in my house that reads “My dog does this amazing thing where he just exists and makes my whole life better because of it.” Many of you feel the same way, so we want to hear about your pets. Email me at northfieldumc@gmail.com by April 15th, with a digital photo of your pet/pets (current or past), tell us about them and how they make your life better. We’ll include these in the next Herald Newsletter. I have had many pets over the years including horses, dogs, cats and a rabbit, as well as fosters. All animals hold a special place in my heart. Here are just a few of my most memorable 4 legged family members.

Sophie and Molly, were Basset Hounds who were known to my friends and family as “The Girls”. Sophie was a Basset/Lab mix and the happiest, most social dog there ever was. She believed every person/creature should be her friend. She knew only how to love everyone and did so truly unconditionally. There was no one she disliked. Not a bad way to live your life. Sophie happily welcomed every foster dog into my home sharing her toys, blankets and love, whether it was a 12 week old puppy or a 13 year old senior dog, she seemed to understand they needed her patience and love. She was my best friend for 12 fun filled wonderful years.

Molly was stubborn, unbelievably food motivated and a complete goof ball. They say Basset Hounds are the clowns of the dog world and that was Molly. She made me laugh every day. Molly was a very special girl, diagnosed with Addison’s Disease at one year old. Addison’s affects the body’s ability to produce the hormones to maintain stress levels and control electrolyte levels. It’s a deadly disease if not treated. Molly took daily medications as well as an injection every 21 days to control her Addison’s. Even with this disease, she lived a wonderful life doing all the normal dog things. We had a unique bond, one that I have never had with any other dog, she seemed to read my mind and if there is such a thing as an animal who could be your soul mate, Molly was mine. She passed away very unexpectedly at the age of 9. Addison’s is a rare disease and Molly was one of the first dogs ever diagnosed with Addison’s at Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic here in town. My veterinarian told me that because they learned so much from Molly’s case they were now testing more often for Addison’s and were able to diagnose this disease early enough to save other dogs as most die before they are diagnosed. While I wish Molly would never have had Addison’s Disease, I give thanks that her life had a purpose because of it, and perhaps other dogs were saved thanks to my funny, sweet girl. She was here for a reason.

Just a few weeks after Molly passed, I was asked if I would foster a beagle who really needed some TLC. She had been “dumped” along with other dogs believed to be puppy mill breeding dogs at a rural Rice County park. She was in rough shape, had numerous infections, missing most of her teeth and a bad heart and even though my mind was saying I was not ready to take this on, I could not say no to this dog. We named her Marley, and she turned out to be the best medicine for my broken heart after Molly’s passing. Having spent her life in a cage producing numerous puppy litters, she had no idea what toys were, what living in a house meant or what grass felt like on her feet. She feared carpeted floors and grass because she didn’t know what it was. My dog Sophie became her teacher. Sophie was here to be more than just my best friend, she was here to help show another dog what happiness could be. Marley followed Sophie all over and learned to play with toys by watching Sophie play. It was amazing to see in real time a dog learn how to be a dog. Marley spent 5 months getting healthy and ready for adoption, but by this time, this little girl had my heart and I adopted her. I have fostered several dogs and have always been able to send them on to their new forever home, but Marley was different. She came to my home when I needed her as much as she needed me. You can’t tell me that God didn’t have a hand in that. Sadly, her previous life as a puppy mill breeding dog had taken its toll on her poor little body, especially her heart, and our time together was short, she passed away just 6 years later.

Out of all the dogs that I have fostered I have only adopted two. Sophie passed away two years before Marley, and I wasn’t quite ready to get another dog so I decided I would foster for awhile. I received a call that there was a Shiba Inu dog named Fletcher who needed a foster. He was turned into the shelter when his owner, who he had been with since a puppy, had to move to assisted living. I knew nothing about Shiba Inu dogs. After reading as much info as I could about them, I learned that Shiba’s are known for their extreme loyalty to one person and Fletcher made it clear that I was not that person. He was depressed and wanted nothing to do with me. His world had been pulled out from under him and he didn’t understand why. Shiba’s are highly intelligent, unique dogs. They have more of a cat-like personality than a dog and I was at a loss with him. I had to take everything I thought I knew about dogs and throw it out the window because none of it applied to this dog. Someone familiar with Shiba’s told me to just let him be as he was studying me, and he would come around in his own time once he figured me out. They were correct. It took several weeks but one day it was as if someone flipped a switch, and it was clear that he had decided I could be his person. When it was time for him to be made available for adoption, I couldn’t do it. He now trusted me, and I couldn’t put him through the loss of another person that he had bonded with. Plus, I was now in love with this boy and I have always believed that we don’t necessarily find the dog that needs us, God gives us the dog that we need at the time, and this was the second time I believed God had a hand in sending me the dog I needed just at the time I needed it. I adopted Fletcher and 2 1/2 years later he is absolutely my loyal best friend. He may be an odd character at times, he doesn’t like anything moved out of place, but he is so in tune with whatever is going on with me. It’s true, Shiba’s do love with every ounce of their being.

Animals love unconditionally, forgive easily, and appreciate us no matter if we deserve it or not. God gave animals some of the best traits which can sometimes be missing from us humans. Perhaps it’s a stretch to think that animals were put here to teach us about God’s love, but with all that they mean to us, is that too much to consider?

I can’t wait to see photos and hear about your pets! And just so you know, there is always a bag of dog treats in my desk for “special” visitors to the church office. Sandy Vesledahl – Office Administrator