St. Francis of Assisi became known as the Patron Saint of Animals because of his endearing devotion and tenderness towards all animals. Throughout his life and travels, St. Francis preached and demonstrated love and care for our animal companions. Today, we celebrate his legacy with the "Feast of St. Francis." It has become a special day for people and their pets that is celebrated at an annual event called the Blessing of the Animals. This event promotes compassion for all animals and offers individuals with pets an opportunity to reflect upon the positive impact animals have on our emotional and physical well-being.
Although my girls and I were excited about going to the celebration today, it was a bittersweet day. After returning home from this event that celebrated my dogs and what they mean to me as well as my community, I sat down and read the weekly breed-specific-legislation update that tells all the places in our country where my dogs are considered "monsters" and not allowed.
It doesn't matter that they have saved lives, that they have helped bring closure to many grieving families, taught thousands of children how to be safe around dogs, helped the disabled through therapy or even comforted abused children who did not know what trust or love was. Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe have touched the hearts and souls of those in need.
Yet, many want them destroyed...simply because of what they look like.
So tonight, as I do every night, I will thank my lucky stars for these incredible animals...for I am truly blessed. Then I will say a prayer, as I do every night, that someday I won't have to imagine what it would be like to have my dogs looked at, around the world, as the heroes that they really are.
St. Francis of Assisi Blessing
St. Francis, you have loved all animals.
To you they were your brothers
and sisters. Help us to follow
your example of treating every
living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals,
please watch over my dogs
and keep my companions
safe and healthy. |
Dakota, Tahoe and Cheyenne
Deputy Dakota, Trooper Tahoe & Sgt. Cheyenne
Terri introduces my girls and gives speech
"Despite
having to fight stereotypes, discrimination, and some incredible challenges, Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe, have been making a difference in the community for almost a decade. We'd like to recognize them for the work they do and also a few of their accomplishments:
Cheyenne has been a Therapy dog her entire life, bringing joy and smiles to children in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Dakota and Tahoe were Search and Rescue Dogs with experience in urban, wilderness, snow, water, disaster, cadaver, and forensic evidence search.
For several years Kris and her dogs were one of the most active search dog teams in the state. Many times working in miserable conditions; rain, high winds and sleet, below zero or over 100 degree temperatures, swamps, high altitude, in homeless encampments, landfills and murder scenes. That "never quit" attitude that this breed possesses was extremely valuable when searching those miserable places to return missing loved ones to their families....or to bring them closure.
Kris and Dakota responded to over 200 search missions for lost or missing people including some very high profile search efforts.
Kris and Dakota were part of the search effort to find Laci Peterson and were one of only two dog teams deployed to search for additional evidence the day she washed ashore. They were the only dog team called to return to the scene the following day.
Kris and Dakota were hand picked by FEMA and NASA for an elite team tasked to search for American heroes.....the astronauts that lost their lives in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. It was up to Kris and Dakota to bring them "home" and to provide closure to their families and our nation.
Because of the success Kris has had with her girls, they've received numerous awards, a Certificate of Appreciation from the FBI and a letter from the Governor of CA stating that they 'demonstrate the true strength of California and represent the best of the Golden State'. They've been featured in newspapers, magazines, books, newscasts and on Animal Planet, National Geographic, A & E and even the History Channel.
All three dogs now spend their time teaching safety programs at schools and to children's groups, working with physically and mentally challenged children and also battered and abused children. Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe, with their gentle demeanor and loving spirit, serve as role models to these children showing them that it is possible to overcome overwhelming obstacles to succeed.
With hearts as strong as their bodies, when Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe set out to do something, whether that be searching to find a missing Alzheimer's patient or providing comfort and a smile to a sick or disabled child...they do it with everything they've got!"
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There were attendants to help escort my girls in to the park
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