Every day I read more and more about the intelligence and abilities of both wild and domesticated animals. Some of it is stuff I as a pet owner, already figured out. Knowing that my pets understand me, sometimes more than I do myself. And so it is with the latest article I read (Dogs Use Subway, Cat Takes Bus and Other Adventures in Animal Intelligence). I can honestly say I'm not surprised. My dogs have understood me for years. They read my mind and always seem to know when I need them, when I'm emotionally upset or when I'm really hurting.

I firmly believe that my sweet dogs are probably closer to God than I am. There is a deep understanding there that I can see in their eyes. When we were having regular services, I always noticed that the animals would bark and play . . . until the service started. Each time I led a prayer, all the noise would stop. As if the dogs realized that this was an important and sacred time.

Dog (and other animals) have a much deeper sense than we realize and science is finally proving it. Just as I believe that science is slowly proving the existence of God. The deeper they study, the more they will find God at the center of it all. I know science and spirituality go hand in hand. And I believe that you should be able to explore and question both your religion and science. Don't just assume your pastor or religious leader knows it all. They don't. Nor is the Bible (as beautiful as it is), the end of God's efforts to communicate with us.

So question your religion, question your science and expand your mind. God is much, much larger and greater than we can ever conceive. And God wants us to explore His kingdom and learn everything we can. Reach out, open up and love. It's a beautiful world.

Revs. Claudia and Arleen and the critters...

I'm sure there are some folks out there who have questions about this "pets welcome" church and want to know why and how it came to be. So I thought in this journal, I would try to answer some of those questions and explain how we came to be.

I've been reading about all the pastors who have been "exposed" doing things they have preached against. And about all the politicians who are busy digging up the dirt on their rivals. It's very tiring to me. ALL of us have at some time or another made bad decisions, done things that we know in our hearts are wrong and otherwise been, for lack of another word, stupid.

Sometimes it's strange that we want to move forward, make progress and grow, yet we hold back. We waffle and let indecision take over. There have been comments made about bridge burning and running away from our problems. But is that always the best way to go? There is no blanket answer. Each of us are individuals with our own agendas and lessons to learn. Yet we still want someone else to tell us what to think and how to live. We ask our friends, family and sometimes total strangers to tell us who we are. Looking inside is not an option.

For those of you who came out to our annual Pet Blessing today, I apologize for the disruption of the service. I'm sorry that you were not able to get your pets' blessed. I should not have allowed myself to get caught up in the discussion of one disruptive person and I am sorry for that. I hope you will all return next week when we will have our pet blessing service. The disruptive person has been told that if he interrupts the service again he will be asked to leave. Again, I'm sorry you were not able to get your pets blessed and I hope you will come back next week.

It was a beautiful day today and I had considered opening the door and having the service outside, but decided it would be too hot for the pets. I hope you had fun today with your companions and have a safe and blessed week.

Rev. Claudia and the critters...

Well, it's been a while since I've done any writing. I have to admit that after Dunk N Dogs rented out their back room for storage and we were unable to find another place to hold our services, I got a bit discouraged. I'm human just like everyone else and even though I'm a pastor, sometimes when life gives me lemons, I forget how to make lemonade. 

But God had a plan for us. A few weeks ago, I got a call from Natalie Barnes, the new owner of Dunk N Dogs (I didn't even know it had been sold). A man had come into the shop with an old flier and asked about the Sunday services. She called me and asked about it. In the end, she and her husband invited All Creatures ULC back to Dunk N Dogs for our Sunday services.

We are having our first service tomorrow and I am excited about it. In addition, we will be having our annual Pet Blessing Service next Sunday, October 10th at 1:00 pm. I have spend the last few days spreading the word online and with fliers. If you would like, please join us any Sunday at 1:00 at Dunk N Dogs, 27911 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, MI.

This past year has also brought some changes to our family. We lost three of our beloved pets and gained one new one. Sapphire, my sweet Budgie and mom to Pippin, Sammie and Max passed away. She was around 8-10 years old and will always be missed.

Just before Thanksgiving last year, our beloved Bentley  passed away. He was almost 17 years old and, I think, ready to move on. Although it was a tough decision for us, I believe he was glad to go. The infirmities of old age were taking a great toll on him. He will always be missed.

In July of this year, my sweet, noisy Dinky got very sick.  He was too sick to even eat his favorite (hot dogs) so I knew he was also ready to go. Still, it was a hard decision to make and I still miss my lil stinker.

Life is still busy and fun, although we are both moving a bit slower. The house is full -- today I picked up a new foster dog named Bailey. He is a 1 1/2 year old Schnauzer mix and, right now, he's a little shy and scared. But I know it won't take long for him to relax and join the pack. Tootsie is, however, getting crabbier in her old age so some days, everyone has to tread carefully. She is after all, still the queen.

We also have had Toby join us. He is a 2-year old Dachshund rescued from a puppy mill. Livingston County Humane Society took in approximately 70 small dogs, mostly Dachshunds from a puppy mill. The mill was done with them. I am pretty sure that Toby is a purebred Doxie and he is loving being just a pet. If you have an opportunity to save a pet through adoption, I highly recommend it. Don't shop, adopt.

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed weekend and I look forward to seeing some of you at our Sunday services.

Rev. Claudia and the critters...

Dinky is sitting on the desk snuggling with me and snoozing on my arm as I type this. I haven't been blogging as much lately. Been so busy with work and Bingo has taken up all the rest of my time. He is definitely a handful.  He just has TONS of energy and the usual puppy exuberance. Unfortunately, my arthritis has been acting up with all the cold and getting him out for exercise has been tough.

The past two days I have taken Bingo over to Jim's to play with Sadie. They have had a blast, although yesterday Sadie wasn't quite as excited to play with him. Of course, Sadie is around 5-6 years old, she's around 45 years old in human years. Bingo is still just a little kid to her and has a three-year old's energy. Still, they had fun.

Bingo will be going to a new foster home today. He needs a family with a lot more energy than we have here. I'm told the new foster family also has another dog for him to annoy. I know Dinky will be glad to see him go. He has been wearing poor Dink out chasing him around the house and bothering him.

I feel bad when I have to let a foster dog go to a new home even though I know it's for the best.  Bingo is a great dog — very smart and lots of fun — he's just too much for old farts like us! He has learned so much here and I know he will learn even more at his new home.

I am supposed to pick up a new foster dog today or tomorrow from Southgate Animal Shelter. "Clyde" is a Min Pin  puppy who is very scared at AC. I'm hoping to pull him today or tomorrow. He is a little cutie and I hope he'll be better with Dink and Muff. He will have to be neutered and have all his shots updated, but I think he'll get along fine. As long as he doesn't harass Dinky, we'll be fine.

Well, gotta go get ready to take Bingo. Have a safe, blessed weekend.

Rev. Claudia and the critters...

The foster puppy was a total maniac yesterday. Like my own Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One minute he was sleeping peacefully, then he was tearing around the house nipping everything he could, including me.

Finally around 8:00 pm, I took him out for a little walk and he finally calmed down. Today, on the other hand, he is sleeping peacefully by my chair as I type this being a total angel. Go figure! In a little while we will be heading out for a doggie playdate. I am hoping it will wear him out enough so I can get some stuff done today. Probably not but one can hope.

Anyways, happy Boxing Day and I hope everyone has a safe, blessed weekend.

Rev. Claudia and the critters...

Right now I'm feeling cold. I think it's just the fact that I feel rather lost today. Arleen is still not home from down south. She left Dannys and went to stay with Keith in North Carolina for a week. And then the big snow storm hit. They were planning on leaving Friday afternoon, but... They are going to try to leave today some time. That means they will probably get here sometime late tonight or tomorrow morning.

I brought home a new foster puppy yesterday after being Santa at PetSmart for Metro. I had fun being Santa but the outfit was hot and scratchy. However, the dogs were adorable and mostly well behaved. I got my picture taken with Muff, Dink and Toots. It came out really well, I think.