“I felt that the animal was conveying security to me, that it was healing me as well as lifting me toward the surface. My stomach cramp went away as we ascended, and I relaxed with security, but I felt very strongly that it healed me too” (page 4)

  From this quote and the first couple pages of the book, my initial reaction is that this book will be about how animals can impact our lives in a positive way and truly make a difference. Off the bat the man was in trouble and needed some help. Who better to help than the friendly dolphin? This instantly made me think of the spirit animals we each discovered last week. How they can truly impact our lives and make a difference if we really open up and give it a chance.

Once we learn to take fear out of the equation, we can realize just how helpful animals can be. I admit that I am not the biggest animal lover in the world. I am usually the one who is standing in the back or running away, due to fear. I pray that eventually I can overcome that fear and learn to see animals as a companion. “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” (Anatole France) 

   

 “At times, helping happens simply in the way of things. It’s not something we really think about, merely the instinctive response of an open heart.” (page 5)

   How often do we go out of our way to lend a helping hand to a stranger or a friend? To help someone pick up a book that they dropped on the floor, or volunteer at a food bank. Hopefully, the answer is all the time, simply because that’s just who we are. In life there will always be a moment when you wish someone gave you a helping hand. Right now, we might think that we will never be in need or lack some the things we take for granted, but you never know. Life can change in an instant and the things we thought were just a given could suddenly be gone. That’s why it is so important to be grateful for the things we have been given. God has blessed us with so many opportunities and it is so important to use our opportunity to bless others in any way we can. “Helping a person will not necessarily change the world but it will change the world for that person.” (thatonerule) You never know what someone is going through. “Instinctively, we come out of ourselves, just to be there with her and say a few reassuring words.” (Page 7) Sometimes just being there is enough to make someone feel better.