'I know dogs in my life the way I know people and
cats and trees and landscapes. Dogs are in my
mindscape and help shape my thoughts, feelings, and
prayer life. Dogs have taught me attributes I feel in
myself when reflecting and praying.

Dogs have shown me the spirit of being loyal, glad,
overwhelmed, protective, committed, vigilant, patient,
kind, energetic, discerning, forgiving. Unfolding these
attributes of dog life opens my own spiritual being. My
relationship with dogs mirrors my relationship with God.
The title of this book might have been
"God, I Am Dog".

In "Dog Psalms" the reader can use a dog's attributes
to speak to God. It is a natural connection. Like
a dog, I, too, wait and watch. Waiting and watching
is a silent power, a gift in me. I wait for what I
want, hope for, long for, need. I wait for what is
next, for company coming, a voice on the phone, a word
from the doctor. I watch for those who are away.

God, I pray in my waiting and watching. You have
given me the gift of time. You have told me later,
tomorrow, next year, later, later, later. You are
my good master.'

'"Dog Psalms" is about what dog lovers have learned
from watching the best friend lying at their feet.
These teachers wiggle and wag, snuggle, chase sticks,
beg, depend on others for life, and exchange everything
for lifelong commitments of faithfulness and love.

"Dog Psalms" is also about the human spirit, yours
and mine. The readings are meant to help us speak
out loud to our Master. We wiggle, we guard, we wait,
we give, we hope, we hunt, we dig, we growl, we
forgive, we beg, we stray, we whine, we jump, we snoop,
we cuddle, we nudge, we pant, we charm, we heal. And
our Master watches and loves us through it all.'