Why I don’t go to church without my dog

The “WORD” of the Bible in many forms, contains various descriptive uses of the term “Dog” but in reality of our Lord and God, the true meaning and existence of a “Dog” has been taken out of context by religion, churches, or even in the descriptions in the Bible. In order to begin an accurate discussion on this topic, we must first examine what descriptions of the term “Dog” are actually in the Bible. I provide many of these Bible descriptions in excerpts as follows:

“Dog” references in the Bible

The watch of the house, and of the flock (Isaiah 56:10-11; Job 30:1) … which fall from their master's table." More commonly owner-less, and banded in troops which divide cities into so many quarters; each half-starved, ravenous troop keeps to its own quarter, and drives off any intruder; feeding on blood, dead bodies, and offal; therefore regarded as "unclean" (1 Kings 14:11; 1 Kings 16:4; 1 Kings 21:19; 1 Kings 21:23; 1 Kings 22:38; 2 Kings 9:10; 2 Kings 9:35-36)

Their dismal howling at night are alluded to in Psalm 59:6; Psalm 59:14-15; "they return at evening, they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city"; perhaps in allusion to Saul's agents thirsting for David's blood coming to Michal's house at evening, and to the retribution on Saul in kind, when he who had made David a wanderer himself wandered about seeking vainly for help against the Philistines, and went at last by night to the witch of Endor. As unclean (Isaiah 66:3) … dog, dead dog, dog's head, are terms of scorn or else self-abasement (1 Samuel 24:14; 2 Samuel 3:8; 2 Samuel 9:8; 2 Samuel 16:9; 2 Kings 8:13)

A wanton, self-prostituting man is called a "dog" (Deuteronomy 23:18)

One Egyptian god had a dog form. "Beware of the (Greek) dogs," those impure persons of whom I told you often" (Philemon 3:2; Philemon 3:18-19)

…dogs in filthiness, snarling, and ferocity against the Lord and His people (Psalm 22:16; Psalm 22:20)

… Backsliding into former carnality, as the dog "is turned to his own vomit again" (2 Peter 2:22)

The Jews regarded the Gentiles as "dogs," but by unbelief they ceased to be the true Israel and themselves became dogs (Isaiah 56:10-11) "Deliver my darling from the power of the dog."

Not only are there many references or descriptions to the term “Dog” in the Bible, but in many other faiths and their writings as well all over the globe, to include African Mythology as follows:

"Juok and the Dog That Preserved Mankind (Anuak/Sudan)". Juok (Jwok), the creator, the Supreme Being, was an androgynous god, an all-powerful and omniscient spirit. He had sons—first an elephant; then a buffalo, a lion, a crocodile; after that, a little dog; and, finally, man and woman. When he saw the humans, beings without hair, Juok told the dog to throw them away. The dog took the humans to a tree, and put the children into a hole in that tree. Then, without his knowledge, the dog milked a cow from among God's herds and fed the children. The children grew up, got too big for the tree, so the dog took them to the country, where they built a house. They became a man and a woman. (Excerpt from: A Dictionary of African Mythology, Author, Harold Scheub) 

Could this be where the term, “DOG” can be spelling reversed into the meaning of “GOD”?

DOG vs. GOD in reverse spelling

The spelling reversal of the term “DOG” into meaning “GOD” has been a sore spot among Christians, Islam, Muslims, and other religions or faiths for a very long time.  I have seen many of the weary skeptics who thought the healing of humans thru a personal interaction with a dog was just a “dog and pony” show to draw people into a group or even a church.  I have found since, there is some truth in my skepticism, but like anything else, one bad apple doesn’t mean that the rest of them are bad - unless it is left unattended to, then it will eventually spread rot throughout the entire basket of life.  Jesus warned us about such teachings -- He used yeast as His example, how it takes such a little amount to work its way through the dough making it impure (Lk 12:1-3 & Matt 16:12). 

My contention and message here is that there are many types of "Dog Value Doubters" and “Dog Haters” in this world, and even in many religions and faiths who claim to be of God. An example of this wrongful “hatred” of dogs can easily be found in Islam, Muslims, and many Animal Rights groups as well.

The health and wealth messages preached but fail to speak about the dogs

By some , these above groups or religions have left a bad image toward something God has intended as a great and wonderful gift - THE DOG.  To some, whenever the words faith and healing are said in the same sentence as a dog, it is usually dismissed as one of those tongue talking health and wealth or animal fanatics.

Having been raised in a conservative church, I am aware that there is not much tolerance for any type of "healing" except that of their “WORD” of the Church you attend, and their “WORD” rarely if ever includes the extended family of humans, called “The Dog.”  The DOG is a valid source of healing one’s spirit, soul, and body thru the interaction of a dog with the human.  I have visited many congregations in churches that preach health and wealth in their churches and couldn’t get past all the hype, glitter, performance, and racket, and lack of caring for any animals, and specifically the “dog” as a true "intrinsic value" to life. 

The two most common beliefs that seem to rub people the wrong way, and have for many years, are the health and prosperity movements - “Health and Wealth” or “Name it and Claim it”, also known as Animal Rights movements, that promote “vegetarianism” and the “hatred” for humans to freely own pets and maintain animals in their care and control.  These Animal Rights and animal hater religious or political movements have become primary reasons why so many religious believers are cautious about even the thought of healing outside of a physician’s care, let alone the healing power of the love and caring for an innocent animal like the dog.  

What a shame to discount the dog's power to heal, regardless of the means of healing it is still God who does the healing and he does so thru the power of the innocence, interaction, and love in the “dog”.  At one end of the spectrum there are those who do not believe in physicians, hospitals, or medicine, or animal healing, etc.  At the other end are those who put all their faith solely in physicians, hospitals, medicine, etc., yet still none in the dog.  Yet they both still do not look to healing their bodies, spirits and souls thru companionship with a good and loving dog as a healing therapy.

It may be God’s will for us to go through an illness or a disease, if not for our own good, maybe for the good of another.  We are called to be the light and salt. (Mt 5:13-14)  If we spend time grumbling about being ill we may miss the purpose and the blessing God has for us.  There is nothing wrong with turning to God saying, “I don’t know the purpose, nor do I like the illness, but help me understand, give me the strength and understanding to persevere in doing your will not mine.” And then each of us needs to turn to “man’s best friend” for the healing power of the dog. 

We shouldn’t try to under estimate God’s purpose for our lives, if we think shallow, shallow is where we’ll stay, and if we think only of ourselves, selfishness is a lonely place. But when we are lacking in our ability to control our lives, either because of monetary, health, or wellness issues, we need to start the “healing” process by turning our selfishness for “serving our own needs and wants” to serving our Lord and Master, by turning our attentions to our dogs as their Master in the humble image of God-like tendencies and behavior, Faith, Love, and Charity, or if you don’t have a dog, then turn you attention to helping other dogs in need in order for you to receive their healing power. This is the path to true healing power of God, thru a Dog.

Healing is not a "dog and pony" show -- it is real.  It comes in different ways and at different times, but we must not limit God because of someone else’s over zealous flamboyant ways "putting down" the dogs.  God desires to heal us. We should not let other religions, “Animal Rights”, or perverted” Animal Laws and religions or their agendas to stifle our personal healing thru the unselfish love, care, and control of our ownership of a dog.

Canine comfort that has healing power is my religion

Canine comforts, known in the mental health profession as “therapets,” are providing "wordless" warmth, a brief respite for emotionally bankrupted victims. Dogs do have a healing power, even more than any religion or wealth. Dogs don't ask anything of you. They don't ask you any questions; they don't give you any advice. They are just there for you." It’s very healing to the dog owner.

With the dogs in therapy either personally with your own dog or with a trained therapy dog; for a few minutes you forget your monetary troubles, mental health troubles, illnesses or disease healed.  The dogs provide something that a preacher or religion just can't provide. The healing powers of animals (especially dogs) for troubled people have reduced levels of stress, depression, and even their heart risk. A dog owner finds needed happiness and well-being through this primal connection of caring for the dog.  The reverse spelling of this "word" meets the definition: "Dog" reversed means "God" in my book. Even desperately ill patients respond to this unorthodox but legitimate therapy - a cold wet nose and a furry cuddle of a dog or a puppy means as the power to heal.

Even Cambridge, England, researchers discovered that, within a month of taking a cat or dog into their home, new owners reported a "highly significant" reduction in minor ailments.

The Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, showed that the health benefits were more far-reaching still. A study of some 6000 patients revealed that those with pets had lower blood pressure, a lower cholesterol level and, as a result, a diminished risk of heart attack. And American researchers have established that, even after a heart attack, dog owners are more likely than other coronary patients to be alive a year later.

The reasons are simple, experts say. Pets (especially dogs) help us reduce our state of arousal, which reduces blood pressure. We are fulfilling our most primitive and basic need - the need to touch.

Dr Yokoyama Akimitsu, head of the psychiatric unit at Kyosai Tachikawa Hospital in Tokyo, says pets can also help us by making us feel less lonely, by creating a feeling of being needed and by encouraging social contact with others interested in animals. They are also a stimulus for healthy exercise, keep us busy and make us feel safe. 

For some people, animals can provide more consistent emotional support than humans. A Warwich University, England, study found that people who are poor at confiding in others, showing love or making friends were able to lavish affection on a pet. 

Whether we pamper our pets or depend on them, few of us would quarrel with the World Health Organization's pronouncement that companion creatures bring us immense benefits. But for some, this comes as a revelation.

The healing power of dogs

A famous dog quote but still very true: "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."

All pet owners know the health benefits of having pets. It's those that do not own one that still need to be convinced. For thousands of years, humans and dogs have co-existed with each other for mutual benefits. However; for humans, the medical benefits of having a dog around maybe more profound.  In 1962, child psychologist Boris Levinson reported significant improvement in several of his clients when he began bringing his dog Jingles to work with him. The defined the use of the first therapy dog which was Jingles, who accidentally walked into the job due to his master, Dr. Boris Levinson. Dr. Levinson, a psychologist, noticed that he was able to reach a disturbed child when the dog, Jingles, was present. 

I am sure we have "not" all heard it time and time again. Having a pet adds to healing power. When people first get cats, or dogs,they always love having them around, but they could not quite grasp the concept that they are good for their health and why. A dog is truly a man's best friend, in more ways than one. Not only do these furry friends provide companionship and unconditional love, by owning a dog but they also have many positive health benefits. Although most dog lovers have long professed the medical benefits of dog ownership, it has been only a few years since reputable medical associations have studied this canine/human relationship with an eye toward understanding their healing power. 

The Power of Love and Companionship

Using dogs for healing, therapy, companionship, or emotional support is not a new thing in our world. But what has become new is the extent of its popularity and success rates in the United States, Canada, and the world.

What I hope to achieve by this article is to "awaken" people to the power of the “WORD” (DOG) to let each person who reads this article to finally discover the power of the healing power religion of “The Dog.” You may never look at your dog the same way again after reading this article!

Now I can finally explain why I don't go to church without my dog

 "When any government, it’s laws, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its citizens, church members, or loyal  subjects, the following “WORDS” –  “This you may not read”, or “this you must not see”, or “this you are forbidden to know”, then the end result is “tyranny” and “oppression” no matter how holy the motives or good the intentions are of the government, the law, or the religion in its “execution” of its agenda to care for and control it’s people, and that of its care and control of pets and animals in society, under the perverted legal term called “humane" or "animal health.”

A man or woman who becomes a lover of dogs starts a healing process not equaled by any religion or physician, when their concerns, cares and responsibilities place the dog on the same level as their favorite cherished property or item within their home.  My Meaning, is that he/she will search high and low for that special property that has been lost or misplaced.  But with a dog, there is even more of a spiritual, and now a legal bond more than just a piece of property. A Dog now has a personal, judicial and legal “Intrinsic Value” and can no longer be considered just a piece of meaningless property like “Chattel.”

Once a dog lover always a dog lover, no matter whether the circumstances of his/her “after” life compel him/her to love them from afar. The dog is the better for it and so are the man or the woman, and even the child. My advice is to “buy your son or daughter, or yourself a dog”. 

The dog's "Intrinsic Value" to your lives, cannot be overstated.

The “Dog” isn’t the bad guy for being referred to in reverse spelling as “God”- People are.

In summary, regarding my “religion of the dog” statements, I say: Preserve
common sense” in your "Kindness" to all owner's animals, and kindness for each other in society by not 'over-reacting' to dog attacks being promoted in “propaganda” media attacks to obtain 'bad' animal care and control legislation. It's that simple. It will make the world a better place for each of us if we only give our dog's love, teach them kindness for each of us and each other, and give kindness to all animals, with a chance to thrive in preserving dog and pet "Intrinsic Value" in ownership with lawful freedom on our own private property with responsibility. And we need to allow the newly defined “religion of the dog” to take hold in your own home to begin the healing process. God bless our dogs, and their power to heal our troubles and pain.

I Say: “A man's religion is not worth its salt, if his dogs are not the better for it.” AMEN!

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