Book Excerpt: Angelic Tails
The little ball of dirty white fluff was apparently frolicking on the railroad tracks in Kerns, Utah that night when Fred Krause’s freight train approached. It’s the situation engineers dread most, and Fred and his conductor both froze. The two engines were pulling ten cars on a local run, and there wasn’t enough time to stop. “I saw the dog on the rails ahead,” says Fred, “but it was too late to do anything about it.” As he passed over the furry pup, he knew it would have had no defense against the huge mass of steel, and the result was inevitable. “There’s nothing you can do,” he says. “It breaks your heart.” Would someone be looking for this cuddly little mutt? Would they ever discover what had happened? Best to just put it out of his mind.
Fred made his delivery at Kennecott Copper Mine, the only stop on this sixteen-mile-long route, and started his return trip. “Normally on a Sunday night we would have picked up cars from other trains, and then proceeded on to Provo,” Fred says. “We almost never do a Kennecott “flip” (a run up to Kennecott and back,) without a trip to Provo.” Fred remembered where the accident had occurred. On an impulse as he approached the spot, he slowed down. A mile, another mile and then…Wait! Fred leaned forward. What was that, trotting towards him down the tracks?
No! Fred could hardly believe his eyes. By the flare of the engine light, he saw the white dog, alive and unscathed! He must have scooted between the rails, and the train had probably passed right over him, without doing any harm. However, like a bad dream, it was all happening again! “Come on, buddy, get off the tracks!” Fred flashed the lights, blew the whistle and tried to slow down, but the dog—unbelievably—scampered toward the engine. Right before it hit him, Fred got a clear look at the dog. “Oh, no!” he shouted. “It’s a Shih Tzu!”
Fred and his wife have a Shih Tzu, seven-year-old Milo. It made the situation even worse.
Everything was happening so fast…and then the train ran over the dog. Fred heard an unmistakable sound, the thud of the snow plow mounted on the front of the engine. If he hadn’t been crushed, the stray would have been struck by the plow. Either way, it was definitely over.
(And what happened next?)
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Angelic Tails: True Stories of Heavenly Canine Companions is a wonderful collection of stories that will touch a chord with all canine owners. I purchased an autographed copy of the book directly from the author, Joan Wester Anderson.
Joan takes a leap forward from her other books about angelic visitations (Where Miracles Happen) into an impressive theme revolving around man’s best friend, canines. The accounts are uplifting and show how God can work through mysterious ways even with pets.
‘Snow Angel’ is one such heartwarming story. Joan writes in her new book that during a snowstorm, Linda Baxter and her daughter, Lesley, are saved by the neighborhood dog during a blinding blizzard. Praying for assistance, Punkie appears out of nowhere and guides them back on the appropriate path to their home.
Even more amazing is the story about St. John Bosco. Traveling at times in dangerous areas to help homeless children/teenagers, he would be robbed or assaulted. Praying for God’s assistance, a large dog would appear and walk with John during his journeys. Joan writes that on one occasion, Grigo saved John from a shooter by running after the assailant. Later on, twelve men confront John with sticks. Before they could strike, Grigo suddenly appears and drives them away. Grigo would appear at St. John Bosco’s side for thirty years as a heaven sent companion! Remarkable indeed!
This book is not only a great read for pet owners, but also for anyone interested in knowing how God can manifest his assistance and protection through canines.
I highly recommend purchasing Angelic Tails and reading all the inspirational stories; you will not be disappointed in this delightful book.