All Creatures Great and Small

This past week two women came into our shop for the first time to check us out. They were looking for a few specific things, but mostly just looking around to see what kind of store we had. They had just found out we are here, and where we are located. Although we've just celebrated our first full year in business in May, there are many who have yet to hear of us. Advertising is a huge chunk of business expense and so we're doing our best, but it doesn't seem to be quite enough to get the word out to all those who might really like the shop.

But, getting back to the women, they discovered some books we have in the back room about the spirituality of caring for animals. That began a wonderful conversation about the love of God for all creation, including of course the animals with whom we share this world. These women were from a Bible centerd Church, and shared how upset they were by some of the ideas some people had about animals. These women clearly experienced God's love through animals, so it was not a matter of convincing them about the good of the books we were beginning to carry! They bought a couple and we had the nicest talk about so many different things. We came from different Christian traditions, and so we were able to share some of our experiences, which different as they were, each reinforced the other's Faith, and gratitude toward God for the Love given to us and all creation. What a great visit! It was a happy visit.

Not all who come in and get books about animal spirituality are happy. Many are grieving the loss of a beloved pet, and some of them have been told by some of the religious people in their lives that the pets are no more! The pets have no souls, are not with God, but rather are totally anihilated! The pain of such a thought, even if it is not about a beloved pet friend, is absolutely awful. The idea that such a thought is true, is, in my opinion, an afront to our God of Love.

Here in the Poconos, there are many rescue groups who work very hard to help animals. Joe and I have adopted many pets from such rescues, including Honey, our German Shepherd here at the store. There are breeders in the area, vets, animal care workers, farmers and the average family person who KNOWS the reality of life in their animals.

If you have stories of your pets...pets who have taught you about God and God's love, in any way, please feel free to share them here. And please feel free to bring your animal friend into the shop for a visit.

God's Critters... The Lord God made them all.

Cait