Carmela Snelbaker

This photo makes me think of the Jason Mraz song.  “Love, is a funny thing. Whenever I give it, it comes back to me.  Animals have a way of seeking out humans in need and filling the emptiness of a heart that is breaking. Pure Unconditional Love the connection of the heart without the spoken word.

At the lowest of times when it appears that all human supports have failed us or we fail to reach out and trust people, Love and Companionship is available to those who need it and it often shows up in the faithfulness and unconditional love of a pet.

Is it the non-verbal ability of pet that gives a person the confidence to be completely honest and “unload” their deepest fears and emotional concerns? The four legged therapist in the photo above even has that eye contact that says “Tell me about your day”.

As a child I was fortunate to have had many different pets throughout my life. I remember each one. The heart connection you make with a pet is a very special one. I also believe that connecting with a pet also gives us a unique ability to understand non-verbal communication.

As we are exposed to caring for a living creature who can not verbally explain what it’s needs are, it is necessary for us to learn by observing the “body language” of the creature to understand what makes them feel happy, content or safe, and what make them feel afraid, angry or unhappy.

I recently had to say goodbye to my elderly dog Bernie who I was blessed to have known, adopted and shared several years of my life with. Bernie was elderly when I adopted him. He was found along a mountain road with no ID and appeared to have been dumped and left to fend for himself.

A friend picked him up, searched for possible owners and turned him over to local lost pet shelter. I called the shelter and after the intake and attempt at  finding original owner was complete, he was officially able to be adopted.

I then adopted him. Bernie was the second dog that I have owned that was found fending for himself on the streets. Both of them were so loving and grateful for love attention and a warm home. Danka’s story can be found here.

It has been my experience that the shelter pets I have adopted seem to have a heightened sense for understanding “life’s difficult days”.

Both Bernie and Danka came to my attention in the middle of my work days, as I was transporting an individual to an appointment. I was not in search of a dog, but I had the ability to take the dog in and acted upon it thankfully, and my life was improved by the experience!

Both Bernie and Danka traveled with me in my care-giving work whenever it was possible and it was as though they had a “inner longing” to give love and appreciation back to people in need. They both seemed to be able to seek out and improve the day of a person whose heart was hurting. They truly were canine miracle workers in my own life as well as many other people’s lives!

I am truly grateful for the dogs that I have been able to share my life with, and when I see photos of loving interactions of true companionship and unconditional love from both dog and human it warms my heart and makes me certain that some dog connections are truly heaven sent miracles in action!

Petting, scratching, and cuddling with a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer. ~Dean Koontz

Please say a prayer for people and animals in need of unconditional love, follow your heart even when you are not searching for a dog if they find you (as my Bernie and Danka did) it just might be your heaven sent miracle. Those who give love will receive love.

With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love,  Carmela