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printAngels with Cold Noses: Why Mother's Day Is Not Just for People
I’ll have to make this quick—I have an errand to run. I need to pick out a couple of inspirational Mother’s Day cards for Julee. One from me and one from Millie. Unless you knew better you might ask, “Why doesn’t Millie pick out her own inspiring card?” Of course Millie is a golden retriever who won’t even know Sunday is Mother’s Day.
Through the years I’ve always made sure our various dogs have remembered to give Julee inspirational (or sometimes humorous) cards on all the necessary occasions. Yes, I know. It’s a silly charade. Dogs understand a startling number of things about the human lifestyle but holidays and greeting cards don’t register. When I’ve shown them the greetings cards they are going to give “Mom” they’ve generally sniffed them indifferently, apparently disappointed they weren’t edible.
And I must admit that I am sometimes mildly freaked out by people who assume a parental persona when it comes to their animals. The other day in the grocery store a woman charged up to me and said, “I’m Barney’s mom!” It took me a minute to understand she was talking about Barney the beagle. At least I didn’t say anything stupid in the awkward interim like, “Has Barney found a job yet?” or “How’d Barney do on his SATs?”
But Julee and I never had children. I think that’s why I’ve always made sure she has a card from our dogs on Mother’s Day. Maybe they’re not human children, but our pets are as close to us as family. We nurse them when they are sick, train them well so they will behave, praise them when they are good, laugh at their antics, become frantic when they run off on some canine adventure in the woods, hold them close when we need comfort. And we will grieve them when they die. They are not of us, yet they are part of us. Sometimes it is an animal that helps us find our own humanity, connects us to God and heaven. And judging from the stories you share, your pets are really animal angels, angels in disguise. Angels with cold noses.
Okay. So the card thing is still a bit ridiculous, still a charade. But Julee would be disappointed if Millie “forgot” Mother’s Day. And she won’t. God gave us domain over the creatures of the earth but some of them rule our hearts. Mother’s Day, or any other for that matter, wouldn’t be the same without them.
Do your pets give you cards and gifts on special occasions? Post below. I’m off to the card store!
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Edward Grinnan is Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Guideposts Publications. Edward lives in New York City with two blondes—his wife, Julee, and Golden Retriever, Millie, who has been featured in his blog and popular videos. Edward loves cycling, hiking with Millie at his house in the Berkshire Hills and Wolverines that hail from Michigan.
If you need a little boost of inspiration, pick up a copy of Edward's book The Promise of Hope: How True Stories of Hope and Inspiration Saved My Life and How They Can Transform Yours.
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Your Comments (9)
yesi do get cards from our golden retriver named buddey he is 9 years old & a angel sent from god see in 2003 i didnt want a big dog but god did i had been haveing headacksfor bout 18 months sever had a shunt put in anyway my do was 4 months oldat the time i stso in aug of 2003 i went to look at these puppies there were 11 of themthis one dog got on my lap & woundnt getdown so i knew he was for me he was 6 weeks old in aug come nov i had brain surgery had 4 cups of fluid on my brain started haveing seizures my dog knew from the very first one i had what to do ihave been seizure free since 2005 thanks to god but buddey is the best dog i have every had havea blessed day thanks for all you do god bless you always phyllis
It was the same Ed Grinnan who wrote, with re-assurance for us animal lovers, "if you do not feel our pets go to heaven, I feel very sorry for you. If animals don't go to heaven, then no one does. What kind of cruel heaven would that be?" Though there are mysteries beyond our grasp now, when that inevitable time comes, there will be great joy when they are mysteries no longer.
For many reasons. And, like Ed, when that time comes,I trust we might be getting our faces licked. And, last week, our dogs' card to my wife for our anniversary said, "and still it works." It showed a dog asleep next to a cat.
Good for you! I believe all pets would send cards to their people if they could on their own. My family has always helped our pet family send cards to each other on special days and sometimes when a loved one needs support or cheering up. The card gives the loved one a smile, a laugh, and a big lift and the pets get extra love and kisses for their thoughtfulness. If your dogs and cats aren't sending you cards, you need to visit the card aisle with a cat or dog's eye view and start the tradition!
Why yes, of course Edward! My precious toy poodle, April, always gives me cards and gifts. And, she never forgets my husband, Jeff's, birthday or Christmas. It's not really ridiculous at all. Who put that thought in your head!?!
Jeff and I did not have children either. Thats' been the second hardest thing in my life. I think God made pets especially for people like us. April provides a great outlet for my strong nurturing instinct.
I can tell by the pictures you share that Millie has people loving her. You can always tell that. Thanks for sharing her with all of us!
I have aspoiled brat German Shepherd named Apollo, as yes he too gives me cards for Mother's day and other holidays too. My ex-husband and i had a daughter who was 11 days old when God took her home. We had another German Shepherd at that time and he remained my baby, he too has since passed on. But throughout the years both my boys Boris and now Apollo give me cards. I'm sure people think I'm crazy but, the love my babies have given me is wonderful. When I'm missing my daughter Cassandra Marie the most and start crying, there's my baby ready to give me kissies and un his own way he comforts me. To many of my friends I am Apollo's mom and yes,when I thank him for the card I do believe he too is disappointed it is not edible. Boris was and now Apollo is my Angel with a cold nose.
Edward, My daughter and son-in-law also have no kids but have had dogs over the years. I call them my "grand-dogs" and like to send cards from them to their "mom and dad" for various holidays and birthdays. We all have fun with this, as you and your wife do!
Oh what a great story! Your photo with your golden retriever caught my eye. I have a golden mixed with malamute named Gideon who is true to his name! Before him, my faithful companion was Dexter another golden. I loved that dog so much that I wrote a children's book about him! Our pets are more than pets. They are a beautiful part of God's creation! I become "Debbie" to my dogs and
"Grammy Debbie" to my kid's pets, so you see I wouldn't think it strange to get a Mother's day card from my pets!
Great article! Thanks so much!
I think that is so sweet & thoughtful!
By the way, you need to remove the word ridiculous from your your lovely message about Mother's Day. I grew up on the farm and all the animals were my best friends. Today, all the animals are my best friends! Yes, I mean yours, mine, the neighbor's dog and cat down the street! In my world the words: All My Children, which is the name of a possibly defunct soap opera, mean something entirely different to me.
I have been a professional pet sitter for 18 years. Every child is my child and every baby is my baby and each one is a precious wonderful! Yes indeed! I long ago got over hearing, "Francene, You know you are a bit "over the top". I pray that EVERY human would be a bit over the top when it comes to loving all God's creatures. You are in fine company sir....indeed. Believe me, I have witnessed the human animal bond for more than 18 years and I can assure you that it is indeed stronger than the human/human bond in most cases. An animal's love is pure and unconditional, no one can have a greater friend on this earth. Thank you sir for honoring your fur children.