Is your pet a theologian-

Russ Waldrop / News Virginian
Published: February 29, 2008

Take sheep, for example. We are mostly out of touch with their world, but in Biblical times they were as common as our pets are today. The 23rd Psalm presents the relationship between sheep and their shepherd as how we experience God. Jesus called his disciples "my sheep" with all the mental associations sheep carry today. Yet, sheep were not the only animals in his encyclopedia of picture language for God. How many do you remember-

Jesus found theological meaning in donkeys, birds, foxes, mother hens, camels, dogs, even in moths, snakes and vultures. He would surely have approved of the Old Testament imagery of God found in eagles, deer, bears, lions, even hippopotamuses and ants. They represented God's wisdom, fierce protectiveness, faithful devotion and enduring love. Long before Animal Planet and the Horse and Dog Whisperers, Biblical authors were documenting spiritual lessons from the animal world. (Remember, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard" from Proverbs 6:6-).

So, what about those pets in our house who, when we come home from work, seem to know what kind of day we've had before we take our keys out of the front door- Or, when we have yelled at them or forgotten to feed them, still put up with us- Can we learn anything about the unconditional love of God from them- When we need to talk, and they listen and even seem to try to talk back, can we learn anything about praying to God-

There are many parallels between our relationship with our pets and our relationship with God; "relationship" is not too lofty a word for it, considering what is involved on a daily basis. Some people say that their pets are their best friends, if not also their children.

Good relationships with pets must be cultivated. Like humans, they need limits, nurturing, play, rest, food and sometimes medicine. They can't be allowed to run freely throughout the house with no restraints on their eating, sleeping, biting, licking, grooming and bathroom habits. A happy and healthy pet is obedient, friendly, well mannered, well groomed and wants to please its "owners" (or, are we their "managers"-).

But how do they get to be that way- Like parents raising children, it does not happen overnight; there are often two steps backward in training for every three steps forward. Often, the question arises, "Who is training whom here-"

Pets resist training; children resist parental discipline; and we often resist God's direction in our lives. Sometimes it is a simple matter of misunderstanding. Our pets may not understand what we want from them when we give them commands or bath them; so also, we do not always understand what God wants from us, or is doing in our lives. Undoubtedly, some of this is rebellion, like our resistance to those Ten Commandments or our confusing "irresponsibility" for "freedom" (Gal. 5:13).

Well, suppertime is just a few hours away now. Have we learned anything about God from our pets- If not, we might want to feed them a little slower tonight and look at their faces and their behavior as we do. We might find something there about loyalty, trust, hope, commitment, love, etc. You know, all those things we take for granted with God.

The Rev. Dr. Russell G. Waldrop is a pastoral counselor and a licensed professional counselor. He is the chaplain of Western State Hospital. Contact him at 540-332-8004 or .

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