Duchowe życie psów

by Andrew Root, Urszula Gardner (Translator)

Czy psy mają duszę? Co o nas myślą? Dlaczego chcą być naszymi najlepszymi przyjaciółmi?

Teolog Andrew Root i jego ośmioletni syn mocno przeżyli odejście ich czarnego labradora Kirby'iego. Dziecku tak bardzo zależało na godnym pochówku ukochanego czworonoga, że skłoniło to autora do przemyśleń: skąd bierze się duchowa więź między psem i człowiekiem?

„Duchowe życie psów” to pouczająca i szczera próba odpowiedzi na pytania dotyczące psiej duszy oraz bezgranicznej miłości i wierności tych zwierząt. Doktor Andrew Root w przejmujący sposób tłumaczy, jak we wzajemnej ewolucji człowiek i pies zostali najlepszymi przyjaciółmi.

To książka dla tych, którzy spoglądając na swojego pupila, zadają sobie pytanie: „o czym myśli?”, oraz dla rodziców, którzy zastanawiają się, jak wytłumaczyć swoim pociechom, czy psy też idą do nieba.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs, Theology, Science, Spirituality, Psychology

144 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Andrew Root joined Luther Seminary in 2005 as assistant professor of youth and family ministry. Previously he was an adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C., and Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J.

Root received his bachelor of arts degree from Bethel College, St. Paul, Minn., in 1997. He earned his master of divinity (2000) and his master of theology (2001) degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif. He completed his doctoral degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2005.

Root's ministry experience includes being a gang prevention counselor in Los Angeles, youth outreach directed in a congregation, staff member of Young Life, and a confirmation teacher. He has also been a research fellow for Princeton Theological Seminary's Faith Practices Project.

Root has published articles in the Journal of Youth and Theology, The International Journal of Practical Theology, and Word and World.

He is a member of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry and the International Bonhoeffer Society.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me
‘Cause I’d already know
- Extreme “More Than Words”

In the summer of 2002, Andrew Root and his wife Kara were new residents of Princeton, New Jersey, leaving behind the hustle and bustle (and, oh, the freeways jammed with traffic) of life in Los Angeles. Root had recently “survived” his introduction to Princeton Seminary’s PhD program.

Both he and his wife had grown up with dogs, hunting dogs in particular. Kara’s childhood included a black Lab who hunted, while Dr. Root’s childhood dog was a Brittany Spaniel who attempted running away every chance she got. It was only a matter of time, they both knew, before they would get a dog.

Then one day they went out for milk from a farm they’d discovered that had fresh milk and amazing ice cream, and on their way home a sign that led them to stop and look, peering “inside at the naked pink belly of a sleeping little Lab who was panting like a fat man on a long run.” With milk and ice cream growing warmer by the minute in the car, when they were asked if they wanted to hold him, the obvious answer was replaced by a mouth that uttered the complete opposite of common sense, and fifteen minutes later, they were on their way home with an eight-pound puppy, bags of dog food, etc. etc.

All the other dogs in the Princeton theology circle were, of course, named after theologians. Calvin, Augustine, etc., so it only made sense that he names their dog Kirby, a name reminiscent of youthful summer days, baseball and Minnesota Twins’ centerfielder Kirby Puckett. A name associated with being a winner by most standards, and certainly by baseball standards. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Kirby’s favourite pastime was fetching balls. Or snowballs.

Two years later their first child, Owen was born, and as time passed, Kirby became aware that this little squiggly and squirmy thing that had arrived was a miniature sized human, those creatures capable of throwing his favourite tennis ball. And like that, he became Owen’s best friend, his playmate, snack-mate, his entertainment, his pillow for television watching, and the self-designated watcher of Owen. Another two and a half years later, Maisy, Owen’s new baby sister, comes home and Kirby's focus expands to include not just one, but two young charges.

As a practicing theologian, Root explores the question of dogs having souls, the spiritual significance of the everyday, the caring of and for each other, including one his life’s greatest joys, caring for and being cared for by a dog. In attempting to answer his son’s questions, he asks his own.

”Could our connection with a dog in some way endure even into eternity?”

One of the first things he discovered in his research was that Konrad Lorenz, a Nobel Prize winning zoologist, had been interested in the unique quality of dogs and their relationships with people.

”The whole charm of the dog,” he wrote, “lies in the depth of the friendship and the strength of the spiritual ties with which [the dog has] bound himself to man.”

And so his search began.

The research he uncovers in this quest is pretty convincing from a theological point of view, a human-canine connection point of view, from several points of view. I wouldn’t say that this book is heavy-handed in any specific religious viewpoint, but there how does one talk about the soul of a person or a dog without invoking a religious perspective? There are multiple religious viewpoints included, along with scientific research, his personal perspective on their interaction with their dog, and his personal recognition of what feels true to him.

This was alternately interesting, charming, educational, emotional. I found that it had me often pause and reflect on what I had just read. Despite the potential for this being a heavy read, it’s not. It has some of the essence of something closer to Bruce Cameron’s “A Dog’s Purpose” than “Marley and Me” which keeps it lighter, and beyond the research it includes many touching family moments, and insights adding a more personal touch.

To sum it up for me, Root included a favourite quote of mine about the eternal nature of our relationship with our dogs.

”If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”
– Will Rogers

Amen.

And because it bears repeating, from a dog's perspective:

More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me
‘Cause I’d already know

For those who have a love of dogs, and / or an interest in the bond between humans and dogs.


Published: 20 June 2017

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Crown Publishing / Convergent Books

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read. Root, a Lutheran theologian, through experience and research, helps us see how our relationships with dogs is quite different from relationships with other domestic pets. Dogs "see us," play with us, protect us, and enjoy being in our company above all other species. With dogs we experience grace.

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 1 out of 5]

To by się bardziej nadawało na notkę na bloga niż książkę. Czas albo nauczyć się robić DNFy albo czytać opisy książek, bo autor na sile próbuje nadać psom teologiczne znaczenie. Marnowanie mojego czasu, pierdolenie o szopenie i droga przez mękę. Mówię stanowcze nie.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

kocham psy.

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a perfect little book - the author is basically trying to prove through his theological background that dogs are the best form of life and, guess what? He succeeds!

[Ola · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wiele kwestii w tej książce budzi we mnie zgrzyt. Niektóre wręcz uznałabym za szkodliwe. Nie podoba mi się romantyzowanie roli poddańczej i służalczej psa wobec ludzi. Nie podoba mi się rozmarzenie nad wspólnym polowaniem z psem. Nie podoba mi się obrócenie w żart impulsywnego kupna psa w dziwnym sklepie. Niepokoi mnie zachwyt nad filmikami z internetu na których psa niepotrzebnie się pobudza dla zabawy odbiorców… czy też rozpływanie się nad cytuję „otyłym border collie” wykorzystywanym do terapii dzieci 😬😬😬Wydaje mi się, że zabrakło w tej książce rzetelnej wiedzy na temat psów, ich psychiki, mechanizmów działań, tak żeby to co autor pisze o ich duchowości mogło brzmieć przekonująco. Co więcej! W książce jest kilka szkodliwych błędów, które nigdy nie powinny zostać opublikowane. Może to kwestia tego, że książka jest z 2017 roku, a od tego czasu wiele założeń na temat psów zostało już obalonych? No nie wiem. Ale szkoda, bo co do konkluzji jesteśmy zgodni. Dla mnie duchowość psów jest oczywista (ale nie ta duchowość teologiczna, na której koncentruje się autor), tak samo jak złożoność ich emocji, ze zdolnością do odczuwania empatii na czele. Mam jednak świadomość tego, że wobec tych, dla których nie są to kwestie równie oczywiste, brak merytoryki w tej książce może zadziałać w przeciwnym do zamierzonego kierunku ☹️

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really felt moved by this book. I see Christ in so many things and there are so many times that yes, my dogs have been that for my family. I struggled with sharing just one quote because I feel you need the book as a whole, but will just put this one out there. When the question is posed, do humans and dogs have a “spiritual connection?”, he writes:
“So, really, I see it as a choice. We can think of our dog as a beast that makes constant, primitive demands and sprawls over the couch we worked hard to pay for. Or we can see him as a natural-born spiritual director and healer, one who excels at helping us receive the eternal that’s waiting in each moment.”
Dogs CAN help us heal....

[Jim Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, if you've ever had a dog you've loved you'll love reading this.
Root does a nice job reviewing some of the current science re: our relationships with dogs without getting bogged down in it.
Pretty decent theology.
Warning: It's about kids, their beloved dog, joy, death, and more joy. If you don't appreciate a good cry or a few good cries, don't read this.
It's a quick read. Glad my daughter, Claire, recommended it.
Oh! And it's cheap! :)
Get it and read it!

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the chapters that described their family's relationship to their dogs a lot. The "research" part was a lot of mixes of different ideas and research that was supposed to support the idea that dogs "love us" and have souls. I wasn't quite convinced.

[Jdshankles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my new favorite books, and one of my favorites from Andrew Root. A thoughtful, interesting, and heartwarming book on the spiritual connections between dogs and humanity.

[Heather Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and snuggly balm to my weary soul. A reminder that God will meet us in seemingly insignificant yet so very tender ways. Can't stop loving on my pups now.

[Alex Zuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year ago, I adopted Arya, a black lab mutt who is an incredibly high energy puppy. She had been adopted before, but was returned to the shelter because the family didn't have the time or energy to deal with her. She came into my life at a time when I was beginning to face by own depression, while I was struggling through my final year of seminary, and when I was feeling exceptionally isolated in my internship site. The love this dog poured into my life was nothing short of God's grace made known here on earth. I've begun to refer to her as my Bishop, as she is the one who Pastors the Pastor. Andrew Root has masterfully captured everything I've experienced in my relationship with Arya, and have as of yet been unable to put into words. I'm grateful that he stepped out of the normal bounds of theological writing to compose a work like this that lives fully into what practical theology should be. This book reveals the often unexpected and unassuming ways that God's grace appears in our lives. I've found grace through Arya just as Root and his family found grace through Kirby. This powerful and easy to read book examines the love that every dog owner has known in a way that illuminates the means by which God's love and promises are made known - through our relationships, even those with our canine companions. I cannot possibly recommend this book enough!

[Jenny Savage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful, engaging book on the shaping influence relationships with dogs can have on their owners. I could see better how my dog, Samwise, has shaped me for the better because of his patient faithfulness to me.
Update: after entering quotes into my commonplace book, I realize this book, in many ways, is also a theological anthropology. He presents a view of man and his ways of relating based in imago Dei. Setting aside the book for a short time before I entered quotes allowed me to realize how subtly this book has challenged me to examine beliefs that I truly hold to that may or may not be rooted in a sound theology or that I thought I held to but in practice have failed miserable. This has been both a pleasant surprise and a rude awakening.

[Book Nerds In MN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just plain fantastic. For those who love dogs and/or God, this is a must read. He does a fantastic job with research on all levels to tell us about the spiritual lives of dogs, and not just because us dog lovers WANT to hear it, and WANT to see our dogs in heaven. No blasphemy here, but just plain logical thinking, and even Biblical thinking. I am a youth director, and my youth frequently ask me about whether or not they will see their dog or other pet in heaven. I feel much more solid in my knowledge after reading this and I can back them up with much more profound answers. LOVED IT.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about the book. I only wish there was more of it! If you have a dog, you’ll connect with everything the author is saying. I have no doubt in my mind that my dog will be waiting for me in heaven when I get there. There’s a connection between human and dog that you can feel and is just unexplainable. I cannot put words to it. This book describes that a bit. It was fabulous.

[Laura Hennen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me after the loss of a beloved dog. I now gift to all who are going through the same terrible loss. If you are a person of faith, and if you are a person who also appreciates scientific backing in your faith, if you’re a person who simply has known the love of a dog, this is for you.

[Alan James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the author’s basic thesis that the unconditional love and loyalty and perceptiveness of dogs are unique among animals and that dogs have an unconscious soul-ish depth to them. Quite what the soul-ishness is the author eventually pins down as the ability to relate to us, to love us, to share in our lives, to give themselves to us. So far so good.

But as a theologian, the author steps way out of line in suggesting that “love” is the key to heaven, to a future with God. That’s wrong theologically, shockingly wrong. And it is reprehensibly irresponsible to suggest that (a touch of New Age/liberalism perhaps?) because it allows people to think that they are saved because they are loving people. It is only faith in Christ that is the key to heaven.

Using his wrong theological thinking he argues that dogs will be “swept into heaven” because their love for us reveals “a manifestation of the relationship of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. That’s woolly writing. No logical connection there. Does he mean the relationship of love between the three members of the Godhead? Or does he mean the love relationship that God has with his world? Or does he mean the love that is an attribute of God? Whatever he means does not make sense. Yes, a dog’s love does reflect the love attribute that God possesses and which we as people made in his image have. But that love does not mean that the dog will be swept into heaven no more that the love we have for others or even for God will mean that we will be swept into heaven. Dogs do not and cannot have faith, so their entry to heaven will depend on some other factor. What could that be? We do not know. My humble suggestion is that if we GIVE our dogs to God/Jesus, if we make them therefore HIS dogs, they will enter heaven and possibly be with us there. God knows that dogs cannot have saving faith, but, I like to think, in his mercy (to us and to the dogs) will save them because they have become his charges.

Disappointingly, much of the book reveals woolly argument, as well as speculative suggestion and wishful thought. And it is vitiated by a soppiness/sentimentality not worthy of an academic - even for an academic writing for the general public. Lots of references to tears and emotions and beloved children … But perhaps he supposed that this soppiness would make his book more appealing to the masses of dog-lovers? That it will project a feel-good factor.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1999 my 75 year old mother bought a little brown chihuahua; I thought she had lost her mind. She had earlier said she could not risk that grief again having found our 13 year old chi passed away on the floor one July morning in 1979. Twenty years on...the responsibility and the demands and the expense. Drives from Georgia quickly brought Pepper into my heart; "Joseph's coming home" mother said she would tell him, and he would jump to a chair and gaze out the window. But amazingly, she told me, Pepper would start barking, furiously, alerting her, ten minutes or so before I would arrive! Later as I stared at him, and he focused back on me, I would wonder at how much more dogs know than we do, and how little we know about them! What did he want, or know, or was trying to say? In this fascinating little book theologian Andrew Root delves into the domestication of dogs, their need for us, our need for them, and spiritually human's need to quest for something greater...beyond. Using the painful loss of his family's beloved black lab, and his children's searing grief, Root goes into a dogs mind, citing the work of researchers, and back into time, when "kind" humans sought "kind" wolves, back to caves and early fires and the earliest bonding between humans and dogs. With Pepper, I wondered about his fixation on my face, on my mother's face. Our face was his point of communication with us. This also Root explores in a dog's response to mere human gesture. I don't know if this appeals to dog lovers alone, and whether even dog lover will agree with some conclusions. I do know that like Root and his family, another dark July day when we had to say goodbye to 16 year old Pepper, I had to leave the room, leaving my elderly mother alone with him. Right perhaps, as hers was that first face he showed kindness to, and snuggled to when she had a cold, and looked to yes for food, but also for love. Mother has now gone on to the great mystery, the unknown eternity. Root has written a great book of practical experience and theological reach. And a kind conclusion.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content centered on the heart, sincere and genuine search!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, I have read it with much interest because of the strong bond I have had with my dogs throughout my life.
The book deals with the subject in a very interesting way, on the one hand looking for rational or scientific arguments, and on the other honoring the possibility of a spiritual connection between dogs and humans. The author weaves the dilemma in a very interesting and illuminating way, with his scientific, philosophical and theological research.
In my opinion the most interesting turning point is that the author shares the family pain of losing his dog and seeks a transcendent explanation since many humans are experiencing something special in the link with our dogs.
For centuries culture has favored the objective way of thinking and devalued our intuitive perception and emotional wisdom, but fortunately we are entering into a more holistic and integral paradigm. Emotions help us to give meaning to our experience of life, make reality come to life in our inner reality. I read somewhere: "The most self-aware people are deep feelers".
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

[Rrshively · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Root brings a Lutheran theologian's perspective on the relationship between humankind and dog. Do dogs have spirituality? In examining bonding, empathy, and play as aspects of a spiritual being, he shows how dogs really can love us beyond the dish of food we give them. Dogs seem to be hard wired to adore and please humans, to even lick the tears from one's face. Going back to when humans first tamed dogs and surmising how that was done, the author has a lot to say about humans and their spirituality as well. I especially liked his guess that humans befriended the "kindest" wolves and chased off the snarling mean wolves. He also seems to say that what made humans unique is that we tended to mate with "kind" humans and tried to raise "kind" children. That got me to thinking that humane and humanitarian both refer to kindness. Dr. Root even tackles the perennial grieving child's question, "Do dogs go to heaven?" Although I rated this in the middle of the pack, this book gave me food for thought, not only in our relationship to dogs but in our relationship to each other.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked seeing the perspective of someone very spiritual although I wished it could be written from a more philosophical standpoint rather than religious. The author made many references to God and how dogs are supposed to remind us of him. For me it was too churchy even though you could easily translate the Christian references to any other belief system. My biggest issue with this book is that it wasn’t always scientifically correct. Dogs bite and that could make them sinners. Why not victims? Someone crossed their boundaries and didn’t read the signs they sent asking them to back away. If you know anything about dogs other than loving your own, you could easily tell that when the author crossed the line from spiritual to scientific he could have used a coauthor to make it more accurate. If you wanted to gain some insight into what dogs actually feel “Dog is love” is a much better read. Written by a behaviourist and a scientist it’s devoid of any spiritual digressions while still being the warmest, most comforting book about dogs I’ve ever read.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Dr Andrew Root. He hooks you right away with the story of his dog, Kirby & his son's reaction to Kirby's passing. Do dogs go to Heaven? God doesn't lose what He loves.

I enjoyed the premise that dogs are unique in creation as they chose to be with man. Anyone that has ever been owned by a dog, knows & understands this but Dr Root lays out a logical case for it. He uses research that I was familiar with but brings a spiritual side to it.

I enjoyed his theological premise for the Grace of Dogs. Although deep at times, it takes some real concentration at times, I found it stretched my thinking as I pondered his presentation. It confirmed what I already felt in my heart....the loyal dog is an extension of God's love.

If you Love God & love your dog, I would recommend this book to you. Let stretch you, stretch your thinking & stretch the Grace God has blessed us with.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all this is a great book! What a fun exploration into the relationships that humans have with their dogs and that dogs have with their humans.

Writing with humor, Andrew Root explores why dogs have captured a special place in so many hearts, and dares to ask it there is something spiritual about it.

Root is no writer of generic feel-good spirituality. He writes as a serious thinker whose day job is as a teacher at Luther Seminary in Minnesota. So he’s got the credentials but he’s also got the heart.

If you even remotely love dogs and believe dogs love you (I mean, c’mon, haven’t you see those videos of dogs greeting their human soldiers who have returned from duty?), then you’ll want to check this book out.

It’s an easy and delightful read, yet it stretched my thinking and deepens my already deep love for our furry friends.

Oh, and I loved his reflections on the righteous dogs in the Exodus story. How did I miss that before?

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I heard the author tell the story that inspired the book on a podcast, I knew The Grace Of Dogs had to be my first read of 2018. As I write this, my dog Skip is curled up by my side keeping me warm and catching a cat nap. I love dogs. Almost all of my fondest memories include them. I am amazed by their capacity to love, to nurture and comfort, to make life more fun.

Andrew Root has two children and works as a theologian. His lab, Kirby, got sick suddenly and the family was called in to say goodbye. Root's young son spontaneously gave the dying dog communion. The moment haunted Root and in the days following Kirby's death, he was inspired to write this book.

Researched like a true Enneagram 5, Root dives into the history of dogs and humans. He uses a cerebral approach to put words to a subject that reaches deep into our souls and psyches. Our love of dogs defies words yet Root puts forth some theories on how this phenomenon evolved and why. I'm glad I invested the time to read these theories and learn more about the heart behind the relationship.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise (maybe I'd give it 2 and a half stars), though I disagree with at least some of the author's conclusions. I don't believe that dogs (in general) would prefer to be with human beings rather than other dogs. In fact, at a recent campout I attended, with seven dogs running around, it seemed to me that the dogs preferred to be with each other, rather than interacting with the people at the campout. I think they treat us as "surrogate" dogs, when other dogs aren't available. I also think the author may have drawn some different conclusions if his toddler son hadn't been EXTREMELY LUCKY not to be bitten when he was harassing their dog. All in all, I guess I'd give this a sideways thumb--I'm being wishy-washy, I know, but I can't really recommend this title.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Love of Dogs

An interesting read for dog lovers. It’s a very well documented well written book. A great deal of research went into this book which I really enjoyed. The authors arguments were well stated and backed by scientific studies and theological tenets.

I especially enjoyed the discussion about how dogs relate to our face. I have two dogs and the smaller of the two is very jealous of my attention. When he leaves the room the bigger dog will jump up to sit by me, or on me. When the little one comes back he allows the bigger boy to stay where he is but will always position himself closer to my face, on my shoulder or neck and sometimes covering half of my face. Now that makes sense to me.

[Cathy Tibbetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love never ends, on this we can depend.

Thank you Andrew for your caring, thoughtful heart, and for sharing this lovely journey of a boy and his dog (and here I speak of you Andrew, for I believe we are always and forever God’s beloved children).

My two most memorable ‘take always’ from your book are the powerful story of your son’s blessing of his dear friend at his death along with your historical account of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s reflection to another young boy concerning his own theology (and mine also) that God never looses what is revealed to us as love.

God bless and keep you in your teaching Andrew and also with your sweet family this day and forever. Cathy Tibbetts

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I liked the first few chapters of narrative, that depicted both a dog's death and his origin in that particular family's life, I couldn't help but be bored at times. Do dogs really have souls? Do they go to heaven? Questions like these are what the author is trying to answer, but somewhere along the way, the reader tends to lose interest - as a result of the dissertation-driven research writing that is employed all along the book.

It's true: in dogs, we experience grace. But I didn't need to read the material to know the same. One can just spot that in their goofy grins, wagging tails and sexy 'sploots'.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated that this book was a short, quick read. I was actually a bit surprised how philosophical/theological the book was. Most dog books I read have touching dog stories, but don't dive into a deeper attempt to understand why we experience these deep connections with dogs. I enjoyed the lessons about the history of dogs and their relationships with humans. I also found it interesting some of the explanations of how dogs interact differently with humans than any other animals. I think I was surprised by how different this book was than I was expecting, and yet, I enjoyed it immensely.