The Book: The Amazing Love of Dogs and God!

Writer's Bio

In the begining: a picture of a black lab named Jack sitting behind two year old Billy in his stroller. After that, several dogs and then Joe, the Golden Retriever, the beloved "Brother of his youth.

And then there were no dogs for 60 ears! As a busy Omaha pastor he felt unable to give a dog the attention it deserved. In between, he went from Billy to Bill, to Fitz and to Father Fitz. At sge 56, he had a life changing experience with Creation Spirituality and thereafter he pledged to bring its earthy flavor to every book he would ever write subsequently under his pen name: William John Fitzgerald.

 And now in his eighties there is Buddy, the blessed companion of his Autumn years. They live together in the shadow of Camelback Mountain inScottsdale Arizona. You will meet Buddy and Joe and other amazing dogs in his new book: The Amazing Love of Dogs and God.

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."

Ed Hays, an accomplished writer and once college room mate of mine has written a review of my new book which will be distributed by Catholic News Service to various Catholic newspapers.

In it he makes several interesting observations: one being that he thinks this is my best book so far, for which I am very grateful.

He ends his review by pointing out that having a dog to care for actually helps us to grow in the Christian life. Why? Because having care for others is the path that leads to Christian growth.

Even caring for an animal can teach us lessons in what the Christian life is meant to be: putting someone else's needs above our own.

I can testify to this since many an evening I get comfortable in my easy chair, and Buddy may come over and wag his tail and nudge his cold nose against my hand and declare in his own dog language: "I have to poop!"

So even serving the needs of a canine can fulfill what Jesus is talking about in today's Gospel:

"...he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.."

Even of Buddy!

And so we pray:

O God help me to learn the lesson of  servanthood.

In this age of the "selfie"

may I glimpse a bigger picture:

the needs of so many who surround me every day.

Amen