I never had a pet of my own. Through my childhood, I observed my mother loving, feeding and caring for unwanted domestic animals like cats and dogs. She also loved and cared for a beautiful canary belonging to my other sisters. Caring as she cared for everyone and everything that came into our family, making sure that all knew that they were loved. I was so blessed!

After I entered the consecrated life, one of my missions was at St. Charles School in Orlando, Florida. It was there that I received a call from my mother, filled with concern as she asked me if I could find a home for a beautiful German Shepherd-Collie mix. For my mother, I would do anything and everything.

This wonderful dog was named, Wendy. She was beautiful, loving, gentle and obedient. I thought our cook at the convent, who had just lost her dog, would be a perfect match for Wendy. That evening, as I raised the subject of Wendy for our cook, the twenty-plus sisters in the room all chimed in saying “we want her!” I was surprised and elated at the same time. Together, we cared for Wendy. The sisters helped to teach me how to care for her and I fell in love with this precious animal. All the sisters, with the exception of one, loved Wendy!

Wendy would follow me all over the school. The students and the teachers loved her presence and she loved them. Much to the glee of the students, Wendy would stand at the end of the line of students to drink cold water out of the water fountain. She was very polite. She would rise up on her hind legs and flip the water lever and drink her fill.

One of the other Sisters of St. Joseph had a friendly little tabby cat that was crazy about Wendy. Wendy and the cat shared many things together, sleeping, eating and playing. When Wendy had a dog bone, the cat would lie beside her and share munching on the bone.

One day, as I was by myself working in my school office, a disturbed man came into the room and closed the door behind him. I could sense he had no good intentions, when all of a sudden Wendy knocked the door open and lunged into the room. The man turned and ran away. We later learned the same man had broken the Church window.

My family and especially my mother would come to our convent at St. Charles to visit Wendy. There were times that I would journey back home to see my mother and bring Wendy with me. Something that fascinated me was how Wendy would never enter the dining room while we were eating. She would always wait patiently for us to finish and rise from the table. It was as if she understood what good manners were.

Years later, I was assigned to a Catholic school in Gainesville, Florida. Wendy came along. As it was in Orlando, Wendy had a magnificent relationship with the students and staff. She was loved and hugged and brought goodies, and she became a wonderful school watch dog, chasing strangers off the grounds.

I was again re-assigned to Saint Augustine, Florida, where I would be living on the fourth floor of the Catholic boarding school there. I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. With Wendy getting older and her legs becoming arthritic, I knew she would not be able to live comfortably there. My school secretary in Gainesville was someone I trusted very much and who loved Wendy so much. She asked me if she could keep Wendy and give her a loving home. I said yes.

The day of separation was one of the hardest of my life. I could see the sorrow in Wendy’s eyes…..she knew I was leaving. How she knew I don’t know, but she knew.

Wendy did not live that much longer and died peacefully. My personal family and all the sisters with whom she had lived mourned her death.

Susi’s book healed my heart as it will for many people. After having such a beautiful encounter with this loving dog, my life was changed forever. It drew me more deeply into the heart of our Lord who loves all that He has created. I believe that Wendy is being watched over by Our Lady until we can be reunited in our true home in heaven.

Thank you Susi from all of us who love not only our pets, but everything our good God created.

Love and Prayers,

Sister Marie Rene, SSJ

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