1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,181 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:25,431 Speaker 2: Life Audio. Welcome back, friends, loyal listeners, and welcome many 14 00:01:25,471 --> 00:01:32,831 Speaker 2: newcomers to Story Behind Podcast. Inspiring stories, positive headlines that 15 00:01:32,851 --> 00:01:37,401 Speaker 2: might be hidden a little more behind all the, well, 16 00:01:37,420 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 2: I'll just say it this week, scarier news. I'm Sean McAvoy. 17 00:01:40,941 --> 00:01:43,501 Speaker 2: I've got myself a fresh pot of coffee here, but 18 00:01:44,101 --> 00:01:48,161 Speaker 2: I'll share a little something personal with you. My family is, 19 00:01:48,891 --> 00:01:51,471 Speaker 2: my kids are either in college or at their jobs, 20 00:01:51,591 --> 00:01:55,511 Speaker 2: and my wife is out of town on a girlfriend's trip. 21 00:01:55,571 --> 00:01:58,451 Speaker 2: So I've been a bachelor the last few days, and 22 00:01:58,471 --> 00:02:01,871 Speaker 2: that's given me more than my fair share of opportunity 23 00:02:01,991 --> 00:02:04,591 Speaker 2: to think and be alone with my thoughts, some of 24 00:02:04,651 --> 00:02:08,871 Speaker 2: which have gone to some of the scarier events of 25 00:02:08,911 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 2: the world wars. And what are we doing with artificial intelligence? 26 00:02:13,361 --> 00:02:16,020 Speaker 2: And what does our future look like? And what does 27 00:02:16,060 --> 00:02:19,341 Speaker 2: the climate change mean for all of us? There's a lot. 28 00:02:20,421 --> 00:02:23,361 Speaker 2: So I've been pondering, where does my hope come from? 29 00:02:23,740 --> 00:02:25,981 Speaker 2: And what do I look at? And where do I 30 00:02:26,060 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 2: take solace? And one thing I was thinking when I 31 00:02:30,421 --> 00:02:34,571 Speaker 2: was preparing for this episode today was to learn about trust. 32 00:02:35,781 --> 00:02:40,081 Speaker 2: look to the dogs. And we've got a couple stories 33 00:02:40,141 --> 00:02:44,801 Speaker 2: for you today about dogs. And we're not currently pet owners, 34 00:02:45,041 --> 00:02:49,201 Speaker 2: but we have been dog lovers our whole lives. And 35 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:53,321 Speaker 2: when I think about the trust that a dog has 36 00:02:54,661 --> 00:02:57,671 Speaker 2: in his owners to meet all of his needs or 37 00:02:58,251 --> 00:03:02,050 Speaker 2: how well a dog rests when she knows she's taken 38 00:03:02,111 --> 00:03:05,601 Speaker 2: care of and that she is loved and that nothing's 39 00:03:05,641 --> 00:03:09,381 Speaker 2: going to hurt her on our watch tonight. That's when 40 00:03:09,441 --> 00:03:12,471 Speaker 2: I start getting an example of, ah, that's what it 41 00:03:12,511 --> 00:03:15,311 Speaker 2: looks like, even in the midst of all the odd 42 00:03:15,391 --> 00:03:19,351 Speaker 2: things and the scary things, to just rest in who 43 00:03:19,391 --> 00:03:22,441 Speaker 2: God is, knowing that he is the one and meets 44 00:03:22,481 --> 00:03:24,721 Speaker 2: our needs. And with that, I will be right back 45 00:03:24,981 --> 00:03:36,671 Speaker 2: with these special dog stories for you. All right, our 46 00:03:36,751 --> 00:03:41,311 Speaker 2: first story on Story Behind from GodTube.com, where you can 47 00:03:41,351 --> 00:03:45,831 Speaker 2: watch without worry, is by Heather Rickman. This is about 48 00:03:45,931 --> 00:03:49,731 Speaker 2: hero kids who saved a wounded dog who went missing 49 00:03:50,001 --> 00:03:56,561 Speaker 2: after a terrifying car crash. Sometimes the biggest heroes don't 50 00:03:56,581 --> 00:04:01,741 Speaker 2: wear uniforms or capes. Sometimes they wear life jackets balanced 51 00:04:01,981 --> 00:04:05,951 Speaker 2: on paddle boards and and simply refused to leave someone behind. 52 00:04:07,471 --> 00:04:13,181 Speaker 2: For one frightened, golden-colored dog named Sugar. That kind of 53 00:04:13,221 --> 00:04:17,260 Speaker 2: compassion made all the difference because she was lost, hurting, 54 00:04:18,121 --> 00:04:22,861 Speaker 2: and in need of help. After a terrifying rollover crash 55 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:29,481 Speaker 2: in Vermillion, Ohio, Sugar disappeared into the nearby woods, leaving 56 00:04:29,541 --> 00:04:33,041 Speaker 2: her family wondering if they would ever see their beloved 57 00:04:33,071 --> 00:04:39,461 Speaker 2: dog again. Police said the driver had been texting when 58 00:04:39,481 --> 00:04:43,561 Speaker 2: the vehicle struck a large landscaping boulder, causing it to 59 00:04:43,621 --> 00:04:47,790 Speaker 2: roll several times before coming to a stop. Sugar had 60 00:04:47,851 --> 00:04:51,381 Speaker 2: been thrown from the vehicle and fled into the woods, 61 00:04:52,010 --> 00:04:59,010 Speaker 2: disappearing for days. Days passed with no sign of her. Then, 62 00:04:59,111 --> 00:05:03,380 Speaker 2: when hope seemed to be slipping away, An ordinary summer 63 00:05:03,421 --> 00:05:08,301 Speaker 2: adventure became an extraordinary rescue thanks to a few kits. 64 00:05:10,161 --> 00:05:15,211 Speaker 2: Ten-year-old Maverick Sharon was spending the day paddleboarding with eleven 65 00:05:15,311 --> 00:05:18,611 Speaker 2: other friends on the lake when something along the rocky 66 00:05:18,690 --> 00:05:23,871 Speaker 2: shoreline caught his attention. As the group reached the shore, 67 00:05:24,130 --> 00:05:28,661 Speaker 2: they noticed a dog trapped between the rocks. I was like, 68 00:05:28,781 --> 00:05:34,501 Speaker 2: oh my gosh, there's a dog, Maverick recalled. Sugar was frightened, injured, 69 00:05:35,641 --> 00:05:40,221 Speaker 2: and unable to free herself. Maverick raced to find help 70 00:05:40,341 --> 00:05:45,381 Speaker 2: while his family called 911. That's when they learned the 71 00:05:45,461 --> 00:05:48,811 Speaker 2: injured dog was Sugar, the beloved pet who had gone 72 00:05:48,891 --> 00:05:52,691 Speaker 2: missing after a devastating car crash their community had been 73 00:05:52,791 --> 00:05:57,190 Speaker 2: talking about. When officers arrived at the shoreline, they quickly 74 00:05:57,251 --> 00:06:03,171 Speaker 2: realized rescuing Sugar wouldn't be easy. The officers arrived on 75 00:06:03,251 --> 00:06:06,011 Speaker 2: scene and immediately realized that we were going to need 76 00:06:06,051 --> 00:06:09,031 Speaker 2: the expertise of the Vermilion Fire Department to get her 77 00:06:09,190 --> 00:06:13,041 Speaker 2: out of the rocks, Police Chief Scott Holmes said. It 78 00:06:13,101 --> 00:06:18,081 Speaker 2: was a severe angle of the shoreline and rocky. The 79 00:06:18,101 --> 00:06:22,561 Speaker 2: Vermilion Fire Department carefully freezed Sugar from the rocks before 80 00:06:22,601 --> 00:06:26,721 Speaker 2: a life care ambulance transported her to the Vermilion Veterinary 81 00:06:26,761 --> 00:06:30,801 Speaker 2: Clinic for treatment. For Chief Bill Brown, the rescue was 82 00:06:30,861 --> 00:06:35,551 Speaker 2: one of those moments first responders never forget. To have 83 00:06:35,571 --> 00:06:38,971 Speaker 2: the happy ending like we did with both owner and 84 00:06:39,011 --> 00:06:42,991 Speaker 2: the dog being safe was certainly a big plus, Bill said. 85 00:06:44,811 --> 00:06:48,401 Speaker 2: A few days later, all 12 kids gathered at the 86 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:52,061 Speaker 2: Vermilion Fire Station where they were honored for their quick 87 00:06:52,101 --> 00:06:56,981 Speaker 2: thinking and compassion. I can't thank them enough for their 88 00:06:57,031 --> 00:07:03,241 Speaker 2: heroism and bravery. Vermillion Mayor Russ Owens said. The mayor 89 00:07:03,380 --> 00:07:07,441 Speaker 2: even surprised the young rescuers with a special reward. I'm 90 00:07:07,461 --> 00:07:09,881 Speaker 2: going to take them to their favorite restaurant for dinner, 91 00:07:10,561 --> 00:07:16,721 Speaker 2: Owens announced. Sugar's owner says she was deeply touched that 92 00:07:16,781 --> 00:07:21,181 Speaker 2: so many people cared enough to help save her dog. Today, 93 00:07:21,291 --> 00:07:24,991 Speaker 2: Sugar is recovering well at home, resting comfortably in her 94 00:07:25,091 --> 00:07:30,401 Speaker 2: own bed. As for Maverick, His biggest concern was still 95 00:07:30,461 --> 00:07:34,961 Speaker 2: his furry friend. I hope Sugar is doing well. And 96 00:07:35,001 --> 00:07:40,471 Speaker 2: please take good care of Sugar, he said. Dogs have 97 00:07:40,631 --> 00:07:44,651 Speaker 2: an incredible way of becoming part of our families. They 98 00:07:44,711 --> 00:07:49,251 Speaker 2: celebrate our happiest days, comfort us through our hardest ones, 99 00:07:50,441 --> 00:07:53,621 Speaker 2: and love us with a loyalty that asks for nothing 100 00:07:53,921 --> 00:07:59,441 Speaker 2: in return. Perhaps that's why stories like Sugar's resonate so deeply. 101 00:08:00,701 --> 00:08:04,361 Speaker 2: They remind us that every life matters, and that kindness 102 00:08:04,981 --> 00:08:09,171 Speaker 2: has a beautiful way of multiplying when ordinary people choose 103 00:08:09,191 --> 00:08:15,851 Speaker 2: to stop, notice, and help. But somewhere tonight, one very 104 00:08:15,931 --> 00:08:20,451 Speaker 2: loved dog was sleeping safely at home because they cared 105 00:08:20,491 --> 00:08:24,111 Speaker 2: enough to answer the quiet cry of a friend with 106 00:08:24,191 --> 00:08:30,601 Speaker 2: four paws. I'm reminded of what Jonathan said to David 107 00:08:30,681 --> 00:08:35,940 Speaker 2: in 1 Samuel 20, 14 and 15. But show me 108 00:08:36,101 --> 00:08:39,471 Speaker 2: unfailing kindness, like the Lord's kindness, as long as I live, 109 00:08:39,530 --> 00:08:42,621 Speaker 2: so that I may not be killed. And do not 110 00:08:42,790 --> 00:08:48,030 Speaker 2: ever cut off your kindness from my family. We'll be 111 00:08:48,071 --> 00:08:50,471 Speaker 2: right back with our second dog story of this episode 112 00:08:51,071 --> 00:09:01,601 Speaker 2: in just a moment. All right, we are back, and 113 00:09:01,641 --> 00:09:04,021 Speaker 2: you are not going to want to miss the video 114 00:09:04,081 --> 00:09:09,790 Speaker 2: section of this story at godtube.com slash blog. The second 115 00:09:09,831 --> 00:09:15,290 Speaker 2: story of this episode is by Heather Riggleman. A retired 116 00:09:15,771 --> 00:09:19,851 Speaker 2: Army soldier reunited with the military dog who once served 117 00:09:19,931 --> 00:09:24,051 Speaker 2: by her side, and you don't want to miss this reunion. 118 00:09:25,301 --> 00:09:30,211 Speaker 2: Some heroes wear uniforms, some wear fur. And sometimes the 119 00:09:30,231 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 2: bravest homecoming has four paws, one wagging tail, and a 120 00:09:34,621 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 2: heart that never forgot. Rebecca Anderson always thought her job 121 00:09:40,861 --> 00:09:45,560 Speaker 2: would somehow involve dogs. And when she met a spinning 122 00:09:45,660 --> 00:09:50,831 Speaker 2: little Belgian Malinois puppy named Boss, it wasn't just the 123 00:09:50,851 --> 00:09:53,491 Speaker 2: beginning of a partnership. It was the start of a 124 00:09:53,551 --> 00:09:59,091 Speaker 2: friendship that would leave paw prints on her heart forever. Together, 125 00:10:00,061 --> 00:10:05,421 Speaker 2: They served as army-military police partners, training and deploying to Iraq. 126 00:10:07,041 --> 00:10:11,221 Speaker 2: Through long days and dangerous moments, Boss wasn't just her 127 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:16,161 Speaker 2: canine partner, he was her shadow, her courage, and her 128 00:10:16,201 --> 00:10:21,421 Speaker 2: faithful best friend. It was a lot more comforting, knowing 129 00:10:21,461 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 2: that I was not going over there alone, that I 130 00:10:24,221 --> 00:10:27,201 Speaker 2: did have Boss by my side, knowing that he was 131 00:10:27,241 --> 00:10:30,891 Speaker 2: going to be there every step of the way. Rebecca said. 132 00:10:32,571 --> 00:10:36,541 Speaker 2: After seven and a half years together, duty called them 133 00:10:36,601 --> 00:10:40,591 Speaker 2: down different paths. the kind that left Rebecca feeling like 134 00:10:40,631 --> 00:10:43,311 Speaker 2: a piece of her was missing as she left the 135 00:10:43,391 --> 00:10:48,551 Speaker 2: army and she couldn't take Boss with her. The last 136 00:10:48,591 --> 00:10:52,251 Speaker 2: day that I saw him, it was very sad. I 137 00:10:52,291 --> 00:10:55,491 Speaker 2: didn't want to leave him. He was just too perfect 138 00:10:55,530 --> 00:11:00,521 Speaker 2: of a dog, she recalled. While she went home, Boss 139 00:11:00,561 --> 00:11:06,261 Speaker 2: continued serving nearly 5,000 miles away. Leaving him behind wasn't 140 00:11:06,441 --> 00:11:10,261 Speaker 2: just hard, it was rough. And this was one goodbye 141 00:11:10,311 --> 00:11:15,651 Speaker 2: that tugged harder than any leash ever could. But love 142 00:11:15,951 --> 00:11:19,991 Speaker 2: has a way of finding its way home. When Rebecca 143 00:11:20,051 --> 00:11:24,111 Speaker 2: learned that Boss was going to retire, she fought tooth 144 00:11:24,151 --> 00:11:27,841 Speaker 2: and nail to bring him home. Thanks to the American 145 00:11:27,881 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 2: Humane Society, the decorated bomb-sniffing dog boarded one final flight, 146 00:11:33,681 --> 00:11:37,711 Speaker 2: not toward another mission, but toward the forever family who 147 00:11:37,741 --> 00:11:43,170 Speaker 2: had never stopped loving him. Waiting for Boss were new toys, 148 00:11:44,191 --> 00:11:47,511 Speaker 2: new bowls, and the kind of welcome every good boy deserves, 149 00:11:48,391 --> 00:11:52,971 Speaker 2: with his best friend Rebecca, who was in tears, waiting 150 00:11:53,011 --> 00:11:57,131 Speaker 2: for him to walk into the backyard. The moment Boss 151 00:11:57,271 --> 00:12:01,950 Speaker 2: bounded into the backyard, six months apart, disappeared in a 152 00:12:02,091 --> 00:12:06,611 Speaker 2: single heartbeat. Rebecca wrapped her arms around him, covered him 153 00:12:06,910 --> 00:12:10,290 Speaker 2: with kisses, and greeted him like the hero he has 154 00:12:10,410 --> 00:12:14,241 Speaker 2: always been. He is just as handsome as I remember, 155 00:12:14,521 --> 00:12:19,981 Speaker 2: she laughed. Maybe that's what dogs do best. That's the 156 00:12:20,021 --> 00:12:23,441 Speaker 2: best thing about dogs. No matter how much time has passed, 157 00:12:23,901 --> 00:12:27,780 Speaker 2: they know you like no other. They remind us that 158 00:12:27,841 --> 00:12:33,050 Speaker 2: loyalty and friendship aren't measured in years, but in faithfulness. 159 00:12:34,791 --> 00:12:39,251 Speaker 2: And that the best friendships aren't always spoken, they're lived. 160 00:12:41,271 --> 00:12:43,901 Speaker 2: And perhaps that's why God so often teaches us about 161 00:12:43,941 --> 00:12:47,001 Speaker 2: his own heart. True creatures like Boss. 162 00:12:48,081 --> 00:12:48,501 Speaker 1: Faithful. 163 00:12:49,901 --> 00:12:55,731 Speaker 2: Steadfast. Always waiting at the door. Some heroes don't ask 164 00:12:55,771 --> 00:13:01,290 Speaker 2: for medals. They're just happy to finally come home. I'm 165 00:13:01,331 --> 00:13:04,651 Speaker 2: reminded of the parable of the lost coin, Jesus tells 166 00:13:04,851 --> 00:13:10,771 Speaker 2: in Luke 15, 8-10. Or, suppose a woman has ten 167 00:13:10,871 --> 00:13:15,371 Speaker 2: silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, 168 00:13:16,151 --> 00:13:19,421 Speaker 2: sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 169 00:13:20,101 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 2: And when she finds it, she calls her friends and 170 00:13:22,941 --> 00:13:25,781 Speaker 2: neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me, I have found 171 00:13:25,821 --> 00:13:29,221 Speaker 2: my lost coins. In the same way, I tell you, 172 00:13:30,441 --> 00:13:32,861 Speaker 2: there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of 173 00:13:32,921 --> 00:13:39,901 Speaker 2: God over one sinner who repents. Thanks for listening to 174 00:13:39,921 --> 00:13:44,061 Speaker 2: this episode of the Story Behind podcast. I hope today's 175 00:13:44,361 --> 00:13:47,981 Speaker 2: dog stories encouraged you and gave you one bit of 176 00:13:48,001 --> 00:13:50,161 Speaker 2: an example of what it looks like to trust in 177 00:13:50,201 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 2: God in this crazy, crazy world and reminds you of 178 00:13:53,961 --> 00:13:58,311 Speaker 2: the ways he's still moving around us. For more faith-based podcasts, 179 00:13:58,331 --> 00:14:30,251 Speaker 2: visit lifeaudio.com. I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me, 180 00:14:30,351 --> 00:14:33,161 Speaker 2: and we'll see you next time on Story Behind.