The Family Pack God Gave Me
When God Speaks Through Paws and Fur
Sometimes the Lord’s comfort doesn’t arrive in a sermon, a song, or a scripture, but in something far quieter the weight of a dog resting beside your arm when you hurt, the loyalty of a companion who has walked with you for years, or the playful joy of a puppy chosen at just the right moment. In my home, God has spoken through three dogs: Bailey, Tony, and Kody.
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Bailey: My Steadfast One
Thirteen years ago, my daughter Andrea brought home a Chow/Chihuahua mix puppy from a friend. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she wasn’t just Andrea’s dog she was mine. Bailey has been with me through every season since. She’s the elder of our little pack, with her thick coat and wise eyes.
When Andrea moved away and later married, Bailey stayed with me, and I told her plainly: if you leave her, she’s mine, and you can’t have her back. Bailey has been my constant, my shadow, and my quiet reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness.
Tony: The Sensitive One
Tony belongs to my daughter Jenn. We call him the “Louis Vuitton dog” handsome, brown, and elegant, the kind of dog that turns heads. But beneath his stylish coat, Tony carries a deeply sensitive heart.
One night, when pain in my arm was hurting while I was watching Lifetime movies, Tony pressed close to my sore shoulder. He knew exactly where to rest. That moment reminded me of the Holy Spirit the Comforter, who comes right to the place where it hurts most. Tony’s tenderness is God’s whisper: “I see you. I am near.”
Kody: The Little Black Fox
“Kody is my eight-year-old granddaughter Kennedy’s dog, a six-pound bundle of black fluff who looks just like a tiny fox.” She spotted him at PetSmart’s rescue center when she and her mom Jenn were supposed to be buying fish food. Kennedy had to have him.
But here’s the part that melts me: Kennedy gave up her birthday party to bring Kody home. She chose love over celebration, sacrifice over self. And in return, God gave her a gift perfectly matched to her heart, a dog that looks like the foxes she adores.
Kody was a rescue, but I believe he was sent by God not just to be Kennedy’s companion, but to teach us all about joy, trust, and the beauty of laying something down to gain something greater.
What They Teach Me
Together, these three dogs reflect God’s heart in different ways:
Bailey teaches me faithfulness - love that lasts through every season.
Tony teaches me comfort - presence that meets me in my pain.
Kody teaches me joy in sacrifice - that what you give up for love is never truly lost.
Isn’t it just like God to use even our pets to reveal His love? They are not accidents in our lives, but sometimes His gentlest messengers.
Dog loyalty - the three amigos!!
Closing Reflection
My house is full of people, generations, and dogs and sometimes fur everywhere. But underneath it all, I see the fingerprints of God. He knew I needed loyalty, comfort, and joy in this season, and He placed those gifts at my feet, wagging their tails.
Maybe your reminder doesn’t come through dogs. Maybe it comes through a friend, a grandchild, or even the stillness of creation. However He sends it, His message is the same:
You are not alone. I am with you. I will care for you in ways big and small.
