Four-Footed Angels

Original Photo by Author

Our Brittany, Cooper, woke my husband up several nights at around the same hour. He didn’t ask to go out or seem to want anything other than to wake my husband. We’d read stories of dogs alerting to their master’s health issue, but my husband couldn’t recall waking with any discomfort.

One evening a few months later, we watched a historical movie about women spies in WWII and the violence they endured at the hands of the Nazis. That night, I had a nightmare. I was trapped in a house with an abusive stranger. I escaped the building and ran down the long drive toward the street, hoping passersby would help. The man caught me before I reached the street, but I was close enough to see the passing cars. He swung a heavy board at me. I screamed and kept screaming, praying my screams would attract people’s attention.  

Cooper woke me up. He alerted to my distress even though I know I hadn’t made a sound.

Now we understood why he woke my husband. As a retired police officer, he is prone to nightmares, a form of PTSD, not uncommon among law enforcement.

Besides guarding our house and alerting us to anything out of the ordinary, Cooper also guards us from emotional distress. We didn’t train him to do any of these things. They are innate. He is intelligent and perceptive, but this is a whole new level.

We are blessed to have this four-footed angel as our companion.

Have you had an unusual experience with a furry companion?

Why, O Why, Can’t I?

It started with the birth of my first son. My brother died of SIDS when he was three months old, and for whatever reason, I became terrified that my son would die at that age too. I didn’t sleep, slipping in out of his room every hour checking for breath. After he survived those first three months, I relaxed, certain the danger had passed. 

But another fear took its place. 

I’ve written about my ex-husband’s abuse before, so I won’t go into any details. However, the residual fear, which I now understand is a form of PTSD, will never completely go away. I will always suffer from occasional flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks set off by certain triggers. Bullying is one of them. I vowed once I escaped from that environment that no one would ever threaten or abuse me again.

This last week, a scene in a movie triggered a flashback. Videos of some protestors assaulting pedestrians, torching cars, and destroying property brought on nightmares. The verbal bullying on social media, even though not aimed directly at me, inflamed panic attacks. I couldn’t sleep. I panicked at the thought of going outside. It took tremendous strength not to curl in a corner and sink away to a dark, quiet place where I could escape the terror.

God met me in that pit. He sent my husband to listen, to comfort, and vow to protect. He gave me encouragement through scripture in my daily devotions. 

Psalm 27: 1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”

Gradually, the nightmares, panic attacks, and flashbacks dissipated — for now. They’ll be back when another trigger strikes.

This morning another fear replaced the one I had just conquered, one that happens too often. I lay beside my husband listening for his breathing and watching for the rise and fall of his chest. 

After losing two husbands to early deaths, I know the pain and sorrow of being a widow, and understand it is likely to happen again. My husband is nine years older than I am and although it certainly isn’t a guarantee he will pass away before me, it is a reasonable probability.

My morning devotions listed Psalm 23:4: “Though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me.” 

He will be with me, and just like in my favorite song all my fears will melt away, over and over again until I fly from this earthly home to my heavenly one, where there is no sorrow, pain, or fear.