Puppy Dog Tales - February 2016

The Dog Chapel and Angel's Rest

Two extraordinary places pay homage to the lasting love between dogs and their human companions. 
 - by Daisy Mae Delray, columnist and registered seizure alert dog

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February is the month we celebrate the feast of Saint Valentine, the celebration of love and affection. It is a good day to remember all those we love who are no longer here with us. I have two places to share with you that celebrate the love between animals and their humans.

The Dog Chapel
In 1977 the artist Stephen Huneck began construction of a chapel on the grounds of Dog Mountain, his mountaintop farm in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He wanted to celebrate the spiritual bond people have with their dogs, and for it to be a place welcoming to all faiths and belief systems.

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Outside the white chapel with the golden lab at the top of the steeple is a sign that says, “Welcome all creeds and breeds; no dogmas allowed.”

Stephen was an author, sculptor and painter. His works are in many museums and collections. We think the Dog Chapel is one of his finest achievements. Through this project he was able to reaffirm the connection between art, nature, life and love.

Friends of ours visited the chapel in 2009 and bought us the book on the dog chapel. The inscription reads, “Daisy and Mickey, Nancy and I went to this chapel in Vermont – it was great to see how much people care about us. Signed, Chewie.” Both Mikey and Chewie are gone now so the words and the book are precious to us.

To visit the Dog Mountain website and read more about the chapel, visit  www.dogmt.com.    
You can watch the video below for a visual tour of Dog Mountain. It is quite a place and I hope you get to visit there one day.

One of the gifts of the Dog Chapel is sharing your love of your pet with others. When Stephen Huneck built the chapel, he invited people to post or send in pictures of their pets. He hoped to cover the foyer with photos but something happened. Watch Zelda’s Song and you will see the magic of the chapel.

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Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is in Kanub, Utah. We wrote a story last year about the Two Bobbies, a blind cat and a dog that survived Katrina in New Orleans who wound up at Best Friends and were adopted and then the subject of a lovely book about their experience.

One part of the sanctuary is Angels Rest. More than a final resting place of the animal companions of Best Friends members and staff, this peaceful and serene place is filled with wind chimes and memorials of many beloved pets.

My brother Mickey MacDougal died in 2010 and a friend contacted Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and sent in a photo of Mickey to be included at the Angel’s Rest Memorial. In this beautiful setting his name, photo, and the words “To be loved is to live forever” are on a chime that tinkles when the wind blows, sending upwards the constant prayer that he was loved and will not be forgotten. This video is a testament to the love we share.

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May all your memories of lost loved ones be sweet.  Happy Valentine’s Day.

Keep your tail high and your feet dry.
Love, Daisy Mae