My giant schnauzer, Boaz, has been walking a path of illness lately. After almost eleven years of love and joy, these are his final days with us. Though my heart aches, I’ve learned that God’s love flows strongest through our open hearts. Healing isn’t always instant or dramatic; sometimes it’s a gentle light that seeps in through prayer, faith, and love.
“You save humans and animals alike, O Lord.” — Psalm 36:6
Psalm 36:6
Those words remind me that the same hand that painted the stars also cradles every living creature — even our furry companions who fill our homes with laughter and warmth.
When I sit beside Boaz and breathe quietly, I imagine the golden light of God’s peace surrounding him. Each breath becomes a prayer:
“Lord, let Your healing presence fill every cell of his being.”
Sometimes the miracle isn’t what changes outside but what awakens within — a deeper trust that love is eternal. And love, after all, is the purest form of healing.
So today, I raise my teacup in gratitude — for animals who teach us gentleness; for prayers that wrap comfort around them, and for a Creator whose compassion reaches even the smallest sparrow.
May that divine hand rest upon Boaz — and upon every beloved creature we hold dear.
May our homes, like our hearts, become sanctuaries of healing, peace, and love.
☕💗
— Shirley & Teapot AI
Hi Shirley Dawson,
The moment where you describe sitting beside Boaz and envisioning God’s peace as a golden light truly moved me. It beautifully captures the quiet yet profound way faith can comfort us during moments of grief and transition. Your reflection on healing as something internal and eternal rather than immediate and physical is deeply powerful — especially for anyone walking through loss. The idea that miracles often happen within us, awakening a deeper trust in divine love, stayed with me long after reading.
Psalm 36:6 fits so perfectly here a gentle reminder that God’s care encompasses all life, not just humans. As someone who has experienced deep bonds with animals, your words brought both comfort and affirmation that our love for them is sacred and shared by the Creator. I found myself wondering: How has your faith grown or changed through your journey with Boaz?
Thanks Marion for your lovely comment. We spent almost 11 years with our sweet, beautiful Boaz. He had such a sweet, loving and loyal spirit, I’m sure our Creator has a great reward for him wherever he is now. He is greatly miissed in our home. But I can still feel the love he had for us in this place. I spent time going through some of my camera roll and found so many images of him with myself or my husband who he followed as close as a shadow. I know I was 2nd place in Bo’s heart behind my spouse, but even 2nd place was a true gift of an amazing love. So many nights while it thundered and poured outside, Bo would leave my sleeping husband’s bedside and come lay by me in my recliner- he knew I was like him and couldn’t sleep during a storm. I hope I gave him as much comfort as he gave him. Thanks again for reading my post. -Shirley
What a beautifully written and comforting read! The idea of a simple cup of tea as a vessel for grace and a moment to reflect on divine love is so powerful. It’s a gentle reminder that compassion isn’t a limited resource and that small, intentional acts of kindness—whether towards another person or a creature—can be a profound expression of faith. This piece felt like a quiet, peaceful moment in a busy day. Thank you for sharing such a warm and uplifting perspective!
Cian, thank you for reading my post and your sweet comment. Today I remember how much Bo loved his treats. He got one when he brought my UPS packages inside to me (I’m in a wheelchair and could get out the door to retrieve them myself) and when he brought in my husbands newspaper, He loved going with Mel to the mailbox and carrying a letter back to our house. When we adopted a rescue pup, Bo got a treat too whenever I rewarded Barney for ringing the door chime and peeing outside Bo never had accidents like Barney does, but he loved getting a treat whenever I gave Barney one. During the last weeks when Bo couldn’t get up without lots of pain, he still expected his treat when Barney got his. So I always gave him one too and on his last day we gave him lots of treats before he began his last sleep. He still loved to eat, even with so much pain Bo was an integral part of our family and we cherish our memories. -Shirley