It is officially the Dog Days of Summer! These hot, humid days of July & August can feel relentlessly brutal, but together we will beat the heat by enjoying the company of some adorable Saint Luke pups. “Dog Days of Summer," our lighthearted devotional summer series, explores the remarkable lessons we can learn about God and faith from our furry companions. During this series, you will meet some of the canines of Saint Luke and hear from the owners that love them as to the many ways their dogs have taught them about faith.
As we embark on this journey together, we will delve into the endearing qualities that make dogs such beloved members of our families, and discover how they can illuminate profound truths about our relationship with the Divine. From their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love to their ability to bring joy and healing, dogs offer us a unique perspective on the depth of God's love and the transformative power of faith. Sit, stay, & enjoy these canine stories from our furriest Saint Luke friends.
Meet JoJo
Jojo is a lovable 4.5 year old mutt that joined the Milby family at just the perfect time. He appreciates the music stylings of John “Jojo” Hermann, whom he is named after. This adorable pup enjoys leisurely days spent sunbathing, chilling on the sofa watching Lucky Dog on TV, or cruising around town in the car. If he is feeling extra adventurous, you may find him chasing bunnies or squirrels around the yard, or squeaking his toys to his heart’s delight. Relaxing or playing, Jojo brings joy and love wherever he goes.
Here is what one of his owners, Judy Milby had to share about this special guy:
The Basics
Nickname: Joey. Every dog we have had is named after a musician. Our JoJo is named after John "JoJo" Hermann who’s an American singer, musician and songwriter, best known for his involvement in the band Widespread Panic (Bill Milby’s favorite band).
Breed: JoJo is a rescue dog and we've never done a DNA test, but the shelter thought he was a Catahoula Leopard mix with Australian Shepherd.
Dislikes: Thunder, fireworks and our sweet mailman, Pete.
How long have they been a part of your family & how did they join your family?
JoJo became a Milby in March 2020 when our boys were home on their college Spring Breaks and because of the Covid outbreak, never returned to their respective colleges for the semester. It was a great time to welcome a new furry family member since all 4 of us were home! We had been dogless for over a year - previously we had a rescue dog (Woody) that was only a Milby for about five weeks until an unprovoked attack on Lukas (our youngest son). It was a sad, traumatic, and scary experience that required an ER visit and we needed to return him to the shelter. We wanted to wait to adopt again until Lukas was ready. We went back to the same animal shelter (Main Line Animal Rescue) who remembered our unfortunate last experience and wanted to ensure we found the perfect new dog!
Lessons about God & faith
What has your pup taught you about faith?
Since God and JoJo cannot “talk” to us, there will always be things we cannot fully understand. It’s just the way it is with both of them, and we easilyl accept that. It does require having a whole lotta of faith and trust in both relationships and both do “talk” to us in their own ways. There are similarities between JoJo and our faith. They both don’t judge us and just love us no matter what. God has a crazy abundant love for ALL – even on our worse days and even when we sin. This is just like JoJo who loves each of us Milbys, no matter our circumstances – whether we have left him for a few days or if we have wronged, hurt, or disappointed another. JoJo always forgives us and welcomes us home when we’ve been away, just like scripture assures us that God will always forgive us and welcome us home. Even though both God and JoJo cannot “voice” their love for us, it is shown and evident in other ways which brings us tremendous comfort and joy.
How has your dog made you see God differently?
We’re not sure if JoJo has made us see God differently but JoJo has helped us to see God more. You see, we see God in all that is good and in dogs, God created the ultimate goodness. Dogs are undoubtedly the perfect companion. Our JoJo asks for very little yet gives so much in return. He is very forgiving. He showers us with considerable happiness and loves bountifully. Sound like someone else we may know? God may have created dogs as another way to teach us about his love for us. Dogs are another one of God’s wonderful creations that are a gift and make life grander.
Dogs rely on their owners for provision and care. How does this reliance on a loving caregiver mirror our dependence on God for all our needs?
JoJo wants to always be close to us, will do anything to protect us and depends on us for all his daily needs. He always wants to please us and feel our love (and of course get belly rubs) and this serves him well. This isn’t too different than how we rely and depend on God. He gives us things, much more than we usually need, and he blesses us in ways we rejoice in, may not know, understand, or appreciate at times. And this serves us well. We pray to feel close to God and give thanks, we ask him to protect us and others and depend on him to watch over us with his boundless love. God is our ultimate caregiver and caregiving is the ultimate act of love. JoJo will always have us as his caregivers and we always will have God as ours, thankfully. “And the greatest of these is love”, 1 Corinthians 13.
May God bless your days with the kind of joy that comes from squeaky toy symphonies and chasing bunnies with total abandon. May you recognize God’ boundless affection in the wagging tails and be reminded of life's simplest pleasures. May the blessings of our friends- furry and not- fill our hearts and souls, making every moment a playful and cherished treasure. Amen.