M.R. Wells - Doctor Dog: Healing Touches from Pets We Love

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Verses marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Verses marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Verses marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Cover by Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Naples, FL 34135.

The information shared by the author is from her personal experience and the personal experience of others. It should not be considered professional advice. Readers should consult their own health care and dog care professionals regarding issues related to their own health and safety and the health, safety, grooming, and training of their pets.

All the incidents described in this book are true. Where individuals may be identifiable, they have granted the author and the publisher the right to use their names, stories, and facts of their lives, including composite or altered representations. In all other cases, names, circumstances, descriptions, and details have been changed to render individuals unidentifiable.

DOCTOR DOG

Copyright 2016 by M.R. Wells

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Wells, M. R. (Marion R.), 1948- author.

Title: Doctor dog / M.R. Wells.

Description: Eugene, Oregon : Harvest House Publishers, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015046923 (print) | LCCN 2016014930 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736964654 (pbk.) | ISBN 9780736964661 (eBook)

Subjects: LCSH: DogsReligious aspectsChristianity. | Human-animal relationshipsReligious aspectsChristianity. | Dog rescueAnecdotes.

Classification: LCC BV4596.A54 W443 2016 (print) | LCC BV4596.A54 (ebook) | DDC 242dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015046923

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This book is lovingly dedicated to all dogs and humans who work paw in hand to bring a healing touch. And to represent them, we salute Skylee and Oki. Golden retriever Skylee and German shepherd Oki were founding members of the American Red Cross K9 Action Team. They attended special military events and were a comfort to servicemen, servicewomen, and their families who were facing deployment or the stresses of reentry. Skylee and Oki moved on to their doggie reward during the writing of this book, but their memory lives on in the hearts they touched. To Skylee and Oki, their beloved humans, and all the other dogs and humans in these pages, thanks for being Gods blessing!

Many hands (and paws) make light work, and this book is no exception. I am incredibly grateful to all who shared their stories in these pages. I am so blessed by my wonderful team at Harvest House Publishers, including my editor, Kim Moore, and my amazing agents, Mark and Janet Sweeney. Special thanks goes to Dottie P. Adams and Pastor Jim Leonard for their review and suggestions. Most of all, I am grateful to God, our Great Physician, the source of all healing, the One who designed us and dogs for each other. All praise and glory to Him, forever and ever!

Contents

D-O-G Spells Hope

God Gave Himself to Heal Us

God Heals Our Brokenness

God Guides Us to Healing

Gods Insights Bring Healing

God Unblocks Our Hearts

Gods Touch Is like No Other

God Heals in His Timing

God Makes Healing Connections

God Heals Our Disappointments

God Gives Us Healing Moments

Listening to God Brings Healing

With God, No Healing Is Impossible

God Heals Our Perspective

Gods Prescriptions Are Perfect

Gods Love Keeps Us Going

Our Great Physician Knows Us Inside Out

God Can Bring Gain from Pain

Hope Is Healing

God Is Our Gate to Healing

Gods Healing Gifts Amaze

Gods Warnings Are Healing

Gods Methods May Surprise Us

Finding Meaning Brings Healing

God Heals in Miraculous Ways

Helping Others Is Healing

Gods Healing Is Specific

Gods Refuge Is Healing

Comfort Is Healing

God Keeps Our Hope Alive

Gods Time-Outs Are Healing

Facing Feelings Brings Healing

God Sends Healing Help

God Is with Us in Trauma

Cast Your Stress on God

God Feels Our Pain

Gods Presence Is Healing

God Heals Through Relationships

Rest in God

God Is Our Strength

God Is with Us in Our Storms

How Pain Can Be Healing

God Gives Healing Joy

Gods Caring Is Healing

God Heals to the End

A Healing Bridge in Loss

Gods Watchmen Bring Healing

Gods Healing Touch in Grief

D-O-G Spells Hope

O ne of my favorite words in the English language is hope . What a tower of meaning that tiny word carries! Hope propels us past seemingly insurmountable obstacles and lifts us from the pit to reach for the stars. Hope is a pinprick of light in the blackness; a set of steps in a sheer rock wall; an opening parachute in a plummeting free fall. And for some in this books pages, hope has been a dog.

Dogs are a marvelous healing influence. They give hope by doing what humans cant or wont, and they delight to serve. Dogs are a help and a lifeline for children and adults with special needs. Dogs open bridges of communication to people stunned and numbed by crisis. Dogs coax responses from the sick and the aged that at times are nothing short of miraculous. Dogs walk with us through our hurt and pain, soothe our stress and anxiety, and offer a balm to those crushed by depression. And they do it all with gentleness and love.