Angel Animals® and Allen the Existential Cop

 


Home | About | Blog | Weekly Story | Newsletters | Photos | Quiz | Articles | Books | News | Calendar | Press Kit | Speaker Details | Contact

Menu

Special Angel Animals Sites to Visit, Stories to Read, Contests to Enter, Networks to Join, and Videos to View

 
Angel Animals Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increasing Love & Respect for All Life -- One Story at a Time

If your pet is a family member, you're home now -- at the Angel Animals Network!

 

Facing Your Fears
By Allen Anderson

We often take Leaf to the dog park.  We especially like the one that has a river running through it.  At this park Leaf runs, plays, explores, and has a great time.

On a recent November day Leaf was having a lot of fun.  I (Allen) would throw the ball into the river, making sure it didn't float out too far. Leaf would go in after it with only a bit of hesitation as he evaluated the distance and possible challenges.

We walked the long distance to where there is an inlet of still water from the fast-moving river. The water in this inlet is dark, undisturbed, and appears to be deep. It's unlike the river where there are all sorts of activities with dogs jumping in, small waves from the boats passing by, and people chatting and throwing sticks into the water while intermittently sipping on their Starbucks coffee.

This inlet also had a few ducks swimming nearby. But the real difference was how still the dark surface of the water was, as if there were unknowns lurking below it.

Leaf loves his black-and-white ball.  He lives to chase and find it, often running into the water and retrieving to bring back the ball for more tosses.

After we arrived at the inlet I threw Leaf's ball into this different type of water. He hesitated.  He looked at the ball and at me. I said, "You can do this."  It was not that far for him to swim and retrieve the ball, maybe six feet away from where he stood on his short legs with water up to his knees.

A gentleman sat on a log nearby and watched us.  I learned later that his larger dog was also a rescue. Like Leaf, the man's dog had become a wonderful friend and companion. The man called out words of encouragement for Leaf to go and get his ball.

Leaf barked at the ball. He whined and whimpered as if pleading with it to return on its own. Since the ball wouldn't cooperate, Leaf took one careful step after another into the water. It was clear that he did not know if he might be hurt by some unknown danger lying in wait below the surface.

Nearby, maybe three or four feet to the left of where Leaf's ball floated, an old rather large tree branch had fallen into the inlet.  Leaf looked at the branch. He assessed the situation and worked out a strategy.

Carefully he jumped up onto the long branch and slowly walked toward where his ball floated.  He took one cautious step after another. As he drew closer, I could tell that he still felt conflicted. Should he continue on his quest or retreat to the safety of land?

Bravely he continued onward.  After arriving at the spot closest to his floating ball, Leaf had to make another decision.  Would he jump into the ominous water or retreat from a dive into the unknown?

The gentleman said that watching Leaf's dilemma and problem-solving skills was the cutest thing he had ever seen a dog do. He commented on how smart Leaf was to find a way to retrieve his ball.  He also observed how conflicted Leaf seemed to be.

I said nothing to Leaf at this point. I knew he needed the freedom to make his own decision.  And he did.

He held tightly to the branch with his paws. He jumped into the murky, still water. His head and body dipped under the surface for a second.  He emerged from the dive, saw his ball, grabbed it in his mouth with determination, and victoriously swam back to shore.

Leaf had conquered his fear. A bright light of new confidence emanated from him.  Both the man who had been watching and I were totally enthusiastic about Leaf and his victory over fear.  He had made the decision to face the unknown, and I was so proud of him.

See Video of Leaf playing at the dog park at www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiVo_Jdt8lA

What fears lurk in the dark, still waters of your life? When have you witnessed an animal overcoming fear or anxiety to burst into the light of self-confidence?

 


 

Click the images below to view interviews and presentations featuring
Allen & Linda Anderson and the Angel Animals Network.

 


Angel Dogs story "An Angel in the Night" featured on Montel

 


Showcase Minnesota -- Rescued Interview

 


Clip of Linda Speaking about 
Rescued

 


WCCO News Rescued Interview

 


Amazing Angel Animals

 

 

 

 

 

 

To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter send a blank e-mail message to angelanimals-on@mail-list.com.

Visit http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals
 to read past Angel Animals newsletters.

Angel Animals Books

 

New World Library is the publisher of the Angel Animals series of books. New World Library (newworldlibrary.com) is an important supplier of great books for animal lovers.

Click the button below to visit our online bookstore at www.shop.angelanimals.net for secure shopping to purchase autographed books by Allen and Linda Anderson.

 


 
Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service

 


 
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration: Divine Messengers of Wisdom and Compassion

 


Angel Dogs with a Mission: Divine Messengers in Service
to All Life

 


Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals: Finding Comfort
after Losing Your Pet

 


Angel Animals:
Divine Messengers of Miracles

 


 
Angel Horses:
Divine Messengers of Hope

 


RESCUED:
Saving Animals from Disaster

 


Angel Dogs:
Divine Messengers of Love

 


 
Angel Cats:
Divine Messengers of Comfort

 


 
Rainbows & Bridges:
An Animal Companion
Memorial Kit

 

Home | About | Contest | Blog | Forums | Weekly Story | Newsletters | Photos | Quiz | Stories | Articles | Books | Bookstore | News | Calendar | Press Kit | Speaker Details | Guestbook | Contact

Angel Animals® Network Copyright © 2002-2013. All rights reserved.
No part may be used without permission.
The term Angel Animals ® is a registered trademark.

Angel Animals® Network, Post Office Box 16682, Minneapolis, MN 55416