Dog story is also a spiritual tail

Despite my best efforts, I've never fully understood religion-bashing, such as that expressed in letters and recent guest columns. Spiritual health is as natural and vital to happiness as is physical health. It stands to reason that people with different upbringings in different places will follow different paths to achieve it, based on their personal histories. As long as they get there and as long as they don't harm others, I have no argument. Neither does the Constitution, which guarantees in law a respect for choice too few seem to share.

What matters is that spirituality is pursued at all. Even a dog knows that.

At least one does. I imagine she's not alone; sometimes it's hard to deny the "anima" in animals exists - a soul, a life beyond their physical limitations, as Native American and other ancient cultures have long asserted. Bailey's was highly developed.

The golden retriever taught a minister to meditate anew. A few years ago Bill Peterson of Coeur d'Alene lived next door to a man slowly dying of cancer. No, Bill's visits weren't to minister to humans; this couple made no bones about not being religious, although given the gentle awareness of their beloved and loving pet, they must have been spiritual.

Over time, Bill's visits became increasingly about young Bailey. It was she who guided Bill. Bailey would bark when Bill was outside, until he came to the gate. Bailey let him know when she didn't want to play ball, that she wanted to communicate. After Bill once knelt down to give her a hug, Bailey habitually pawed his leg to make him kneel to her level, eye to eye. Once he obeyed, Bailey stepped back from him and sat down.

"Possibly for my own physical comfort, at that point I crossed my arms and placed them on my knees. That seemed to be all Bailey needed to begin the 'meditating' ritual, as she would place first one front paw and then the other on my crossed arms, and place her head on her paws/my arms, close her eyes, and be silent," Bill told me.

This began their meditation, which continued until Bailey broke the spell. In short order and always at Bailey's instigation, their meditations became daily, and nothing - not even walk time with Bailey's mom - would interfere. Perhaps Bailey knew she needed renewal, given the stress and sadness at home.

"I felt I was receiving confirmation that indigenous folk in many parts of the world perceived/believed, that all of nature is imbued with spirit. Bailey also helped me to expand my thinking as to the capacity of animals to participate with humans in activities that exceeded and/or preceded any effort on the human part to 'train' them," Bill observed.

Bailey was only about a year old when the meditating began, but she must have had an old soul. Animals have a way of reminding us of what's important. To stop and simply "be" for a few moments each day, to focus on the basics in life and not get hung up on details. To love and to love well, while we have each other in this brief life.

Perhaps most important: Despite any outer differences, to recognize in each other the same spiritual core.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].