Many are the stories we associate with the brave and humble DOG — to use C. S. Lewis’s happy words, our servant, fellow-worker, playfellow, and jester.
My dogs have been so good to me through the years, most especially since being widowed in July 2021. My current furry little friend is named Gubbio after the story of St. Francis and the wolf of Gubbio - a tale i love to recount. it also works as a name in that dogs are ultimately tamed wolves and it sounds like "good boy", which he is most of the time and like "goofball" which he is all of the time. i've never met a dog who is so persistently playful. i thank the Lord for him daily.
Jun 17·edited Jun 17Liked by Debra Esolen, Anthony Esolen
I know the eternal status of non-human animals is a debatable matter, theologically, but I am glad that the question is an open one. I think it was you, Dr. E, who once said to me that God forgets nothing that He has created. He remembers every single creature that has walked this Earth, and the Scriptures explicitly state that He calls them "good." Perhaps they might not be able to join us in true, rational communion with God, but I don't believe that closes the door on their returning to us as well. After all, they say we shall have a New World after the Resurrection, and how good would that new world truly be if it did not at least have all of the good things which the old one had? And if we argue that it shall be a world of the highest possible good--well, then I cannot see how it should not be that the animals which may join us there might be the very same ones we loved here, born again to experience the fullness of life along with us. After all, what does Jesus say? "Behold, I make ALL things new." Not just some!
I love reading your tributes to dogs because it is a good balance to my annoyance and indignation at today’s dog culture calling themselves “puppy parents” and their pets “fur babies” and having dogs instead of kids. Mrs Pumphrey and Tricky Woo were hilarious in All Creatures, but we all knew she was a little batty—now the whole neighborhood is batty. It seems to me dogs are most happy when they have a job, whether it is hunting, protecting their master, or herding sheep or children. Or performing amazing tricks for the family that owns them!
This is my favorite painting of the Holy Family and of St. Joseph. Murillo seems to have liked dogs. He also has one in another of his paintings, "Return of the Prodigal Son," welcoming the younger brother home. I was at my son's house yesterday, playing with his three dogs and realizing how much I missed having a dog, but also somewhat relieved I could leave them in someone else's good hands when it was time to go home. We also had a lab mix named Molly a few years ago, who is no longer with us.
And who can forget the stories about Grigio, the mysterious dog-angel who would show up to protect St. John Bosco when he was threatened by thugs on pastoral visits after dark?
Yes, that same little white dog! He's in mid-leap in that painting of the Return of the Prodigal Son. I think that Murillo was fond of children and dogs. Have you ever seen his paintings for the children's hospital in Seville? And then there's Grigio ...!
I just looked up the paintings you mentioned on Wikipedia and enjoyed looking at them. And, yes I do see that dogs and children are also in another three of those paintings: the healing of the paralytic (dog in lower right corner), Moses bringing water from the rock at Horeb (the refreshed child on the horse pointing at Moses is the most noticeable figure at first glance, and a dog gratefully lapping water occupies the lower right corner), and the multiplication of loaves and fishes (numerous children).
Second place: Van Morrison’s Redwood Tree https://youtu.be/32wqK06GtF4?si=f42lsh3jkVtc_XvN
My absolute favorite “boy and dog” song:
https://youtu.be/ksnEnEbzLmc?si=ahswO7H1RTmSvftt
My dogs have been so good to me through the years, most especially since being widowed in July 2021. My current furry little friend is named Gubbio after the story of St. Francis and the wolf of Gubbio - a tale i love to recount. it also works as a name in that dogs are ultimately tamed wolves and it sounds like "good boy", which he is most of the time and like "goofball" which he is all of the time. i've never met a dog who is so persistently playful. i thank the Lord for him daily.
I know the eternal status of non-human animals is a debatable matter, theologically, but I am glad that the question is an open one. I think it was you, Dr. E, who once said to me that God forgets nothing that He has created. He remembers every single creature that has walked this Earth, and the Scriptures explicitly state that He calls them "good." Perhaps they might not be able to join us in true, rational communion with God, but I don't believe that closes the door on their returning to us as well. After all, they say we shall have a New World after the Resurrection, and how good would that new world truly be if it did not at least have all of the good things which the old one had? And if we argue that it shall be a world of the highest possible good--well, then I cannot see how it should not be that the animals which may join us there might be the very same ones we loved here, born again to experience the fullness of life along with us. After all, what does Jesus say? "Behold, I make ALL things new." Not just some!
'If the Lord in His grace will have it so.'
Glory be, that brought some tears! Amen, alleluia, amen.
I love reading your tributes to dogs because it is a good balance to my annoyance and indignation at today’s dog culture calling themselves “puppy parents” and their pets “fur babies” and having dogs instead of kids. Mrs Pumphrey and Tricky Woo were hilarious in All Creatures, but we all knew she was a little batty—now the whole neighborhood is batty. It seems to me dogs are most happy when they have a job, whether it is hunting, protecting their master, or herding sheep or children. Or performing amazing tricks for the family that owns them!
I’m reminded of President Harry S. Truman’s famous comment, “ If you want a friend in Washington, DC, get a dog.
Hahahaha!
This is my favorite painting of the Holy Family and of St. Joseph. Murillo seems to have liked dogs. He also has one in another of his paintings, "Return of the Prodigal Son," welcoming the younger brother home. I was at my son's house yesterday, playing with his three dogs and realizing how much I missed having a dog, but also somewhat relieved I could leave them in someone else's good hands when it was time to go home. We also had a lab mix named Molly a few years ago, who is no longer with us.
And who can forget the stories about Grigio, the mysterious dog-angel who would show up to protect St. John Bosco when he was threatened by thugs on pastoral visits after dark?
Yes, that same little white dog! He's in mid-leap in that painting of the Return of the Prodigal Son. I think that Murillo was fond of children and dogs. Have you ever seen his paintings for the children's hospital in Seville? And then there's Grigio ...!
I just looked up the paintings you mentioned on Wikipedia and enjoyed looking at them. And, yes I do see that dogs and children are also in another three of those paintings: the healing of the paralytic (dog in lower right corner), Moses bringing water from the rock at Horeb (the refreshed child on the horse pointing at Moses is the most noticeable figure at first glance, and a dog gratefully lapping water occupies the lower right corner), and the multiplication of loaves and fishes (numerous children).