Asters #6/ Whence Comes This Rush of Wings

A Day Late, but Still Thinking of Lussinatten...

Being of Scandinavian (Norwegian) ethnicity, I've always enjoyed the December 13th tradition of Saint Lucy's Day, celebrated primarily in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. According to legend and tradition, St. Lucy was a young girl martyred for her faith around the year 300 in Italy.

In Norway, it's called Lussinatten or "Lucy Night", and the old folk tales hold that on this night, trolls and elves roam the countryside and animals can speak. I wonder what my dachshunds would have to say if they could speak on Lucy's Night? I hope they would only have words of love for each other and for me, but somehow I think they might just ask for extra food, or tell me which type of snack cheese they prefer! But it's no matter-- they tell me every day, every single moment, how much they love me with the look in their beautiful eyes.

Angels in Disguise

I love the story of St. John Bosco and the grey dog he called "Grigio". Throughout his ministry in 19th century Italy, John Bosco was accompanied and aided by a large grey dog who walked with him through dangerous areas, forewarned him of trouble, and fiercely kept attackers at bay. In other words, Grigio was Bosco's guardian angel.

I am so blessed to have three little guardian angels! When people meet the pups for the first time, the first question is usually, "What are they?", since long-haired dachshunds aren't common in our area. The second question is typically, "Are they rescue dogs?", to which my husband always responds, "No, but they rescued Sandy". Such a true statement! After my precious black and tan dachshund Nike died, I was heartbroken. She had such a big piece of my heart and she kept me balanced... she helped  me keep a healthy perspective on the issues of life and my focus on something other than myself. When she died, I felt so lost.

Only when I got Payday, the first of my three pups, a year later, did I finally begin to feel like myself again. Like Don Bosco's Grigio, Payday would appear at my side when I needed him most. He still does, now with Coco and Honeybun not far behind. Angels & Angelology says that guardian angels are our faithful companions who will not abandon us-- "The angel can speak to our hearts and souls, yet can move other people or circumstances to aid us. Their love is a model to us for the love and care we should show to others"-- and that sounds exactly like my furry angels in disguise.

Who Loves Me Also Loves My Dog

Have you ever wondered where the phrase, “Love me, love my dog” originated? As a dog lover who considers the phrase more of a credo for life than a proverb, I did! The phrase itself is generally accepted to mean, “Take me as I am, faults and all”, but the saint to whom it’s attributed was indeed a dog lover! So perhaps like me, he too meant it literally not figuratively. As “This Day in Quotes” explains:

“... I’m a big fan of St. Bernard, because he’s the guy who immortalized a saying that’s now best known in the modernized form “Love me, love my dog”… St. Bernard’s famous dog quote was originally recorded in Latin as “Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.” The full sentence this quote comes from is “Dicitur certe vulgari proverbio: Qui me amat, amat et canem meum” — which translates as “It is said truly in a common proverb: who loves me, also loves my dog.”  This makes it clear that Bernard was quoting an existing proverb... but his use became famous and helped popularize the saying. If you read his sermon, you find that he was comparing the relationship between dogs and people to the relationship between humans and Jesus. Contrary to what some people assume, St. Bernard of Clairvaux is not associated with Saint Bernard dogs. They were named after Saint Bernard of Menthon who established a monastery and hospice high up in the Alps. Over the centuries, the monks there became famous for their efforts to rescue lost and injured travelers and for the large  dogs they bred and trained for their search and rescue missions”

Feeling Very Thankful!

Today I find myself feeling very thankful for the love of my darling dachshunds, so I share this wonderful prayer of thanks. For more prayers and liturgies, I recommend  http://www.stmargaretschurch.org/worship/prayers-and-liturgies-for-animals.html

O God, we thank you for making the animals to brighten our lives. Help us to save them from danger as Noah did. Help us to love them and care for them as St. Francis did. And when we see the animals that you have made,     help us to remember that you are holy and worthy of praise.  In the name of the Father who created such exotic beauties as the giraffe and zebra, and of the Son who is called after a beautiful white Lamb, and the Holy Spirit who came to us as a Dove.

--Amen--