A lot of us believe that some of the people we encounter are really angels in disguise. I know I certainly do. But I think animals can sometimes be angels as well.
I remember growing up with one of my favorite dogs of all time, a terrier mix named Buffy. Buffy was a wonderful dog for me, especially because the Schnauzer my parents had in my childhood often left bite marks on my shoes! And, occasionally, my leg.
Growing up can be so hard. As an awkward teenager with acne, glasses, braces, and a back brace for scoliosis, life was challenging. Whenever sadness enveloped my heart and caused the tears to fall, Buffy was there to comfort me. Somehow, she knew when I needed a kiss, a nudge, or just her presence beside me.
Adulthood isn’t a walk in the park sometimes, either. My husband John, my son Jonathon, his girlfriend Olivia, and I had a wonderful vacation in South Dakota in mid-July. The flights home, however, were … stressful, to say the least. (Fellow columnist Jan Hart Leonard knows my pain.) My other son, Jacob, was at home preparing to move to Bloomington with his girlfriend the week we got back.
The day we finally left to come back to Indiana, I encountered issues with the U-Haul we had reserved. Jacob’s power steering went out on his Ford Fusion – thank God he was close to home. Jacob and his girlfriend’s job search hadn’t produced anything yet. All this, combined with the stressful trip home, completely overwhelmed me. Despite trying various tactics, I didn’t sleep well Sunday night.
I fell to my knees beside my bed last Monday evening and just prayed with my mind, heart, and soul to God. I knew He was in control of everything and that I had to let my worries go.
The next thing I knew, our cat, Chilly, hopped on my bed and came over to nuzzle me. I finally let the tears fall … tears that I had been holding back since our flight troubles began last Saturday. Chilly just sat quietly beside me, purring softly as I stroked her long, soft fur. I felt such a release … such peace.
Chilly has comforted me in the past when my heart was heavy, and I’ve often called her my Angel Kitty.
After 15 pages of dense local coverage about the fat cats of Hamilton County, our columnist’s Angel Kitty, Chilly, needed a nap. (Photo provided by Amy Shankland)
That night, I slept well. I woke up the next morning filled with hope. Was everything 100 percent resolved? No. Did I have faith that God would handle everything in His way, in His time, to eventually surprise us all with something we never even expected? You bet.
Countless studies show the benefits of pets in our lives. Many say they provide relief from stress thanks to lowering cortisol.
Me? I think they’re often sweet angels sent to us from God. I’m grateful for my Angel Kitty. If you’re a pet owner, I hope you enjoy your angel (or angels) as much as I do. What a blessing they are!
Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.