A Metro Detroit man recently shared how the death of his Chocolate Labrador Retriever helped bring people to church.
Buddy the dog was known for his favorite yellow raincoat as he walked with owner John Karakian throughout the communities of Novi, Walled Lake, and Wixom over the past 12 years.
Regardless of weather conditions, walking outdoors was Buddy’s favorite activity.
After his dog’s death last March, Karakian continued their walking routes while handing out photos of the two of them along with tickets to an Easter production at Brightmoor Christian Church, where Karakian attends.
To Karakian’s surprise, there was a positive reception as he received phone calls, messages, and over 60 sympathy cards. Moreover, memorials for Buddy were set up in front of Karakian’s house.
One day, a police officer – having not seen Karakian around for some time – paid the former dog owner a visit. As Karakian shared that Buddy had passed away, the conversation became spiritual when he asked the officer, “do you think he’s in heaven?”
“Next thing you know, we’re talking about Jesus,” Karakian adds.
At the Easter production, Karkian didn’t think anyone would show up, but many did, noting that they were there for Buddy.
Karakian recognized people “from more than a decade of walks with his chocolate lab”. Moreover, he knew their faiths from previous spiritual conversations, ranging from Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and even Atheists. Additionally, Christian women with non-Christian husbands attended.
Despite the great turnout at the Easter production, Karakian heard the Lord say, “You’re not done yet, keep sending those letters out.”
Karakian was initially reluctant as he told God, “I can’t be walking around telling everybody my dog died”. He feared that people were “going to think I need a psychiatrist.”
But as he shared with CBN News, “God had a plan.”
“You do the walking, and I’ll do the talking”, God told Karakian.
Karakian spent the 7 months walking on the usual routes hand-delivering more custom-made cards of Buddy. Included would be 400 “Buddy tickets” to his church’s Christmas program last winter.
Source: Christian Headlines
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