Walking with Jesus – Lessons from a Dog and a Cat.

Walking with Jesus: Lessons from a Dog and a Cat

Pastor Calvin Cook

July 11, 2026

I have had many pets throughout my life, but two stand out.

The first was a dog named Jetta. Jetta was a beautiful Kerry Blue Terrier. She was a show dog—a champion. She completed her championship and earned permanent recognition through the American Kennel Club. Once she left the show ring, the hours of training, preparation, and travel were behind her. She became an ordinary everyday dog.

But she was so much more than that.

Jetta stayed with me through some of the most difficult seasons of my life. During the final days of my mom’s life, through setbacks, disappointments, and countless other moments, she remained my constant companion. She was always with me, always greeting me at the door, always ready to go wherever I was going. I never had to wonder where Jetta was because she was always close by.

The second standout is my cat, Mabel.

Mabel is something special. She is a Manx cat. Besides not having a tail, the Manx breed is known for being faithful and often becoming devoted to one particular person. That certainly proves true in our house. Mabel is my cat. She tolerates everyone else, but she is my cat. Sylvia, our other Manx, belongs to Gail. Wherever Gail is, Sylvia is never far behind. Sylvia has turned Gail into a crazy cat lady, and Mabel has turned me into a crazy cat dad—which I never imagined would happen.

Mabel is still my encourager and comforter. I know that may sound a little crazy, but we have developed routines together that are unique to our relationship. There are things Mabel does with me that she does with no one else.

It was much the same with Jetta. We shared a bond—an unspoken commitment to one another.

There is, however, one major difference. Jetta could be trained. She sat, stayed, and came when she was called. Mabel listens to no commands. She does what she pleases. Jetta would come every time I called her. Mabel might come…if she feels like it. If it doesn’t fit her agenda, she may not come at all, only returning when it suits her.

There was commitment from both Jetta and Mabel, but the old saying is true: You own a dog, but a cat owns you.

By now you may be wondering, “What does any of this have to do with walking with Jesus?”

Here’s the answer.

Sometimes, in my relationship with Jesus, I’m like Jetta. Other times—and probably more often than I’d like to admit—I’m like Mabel.

John 10 speaks powerfully to me this morning. As Jesus teaches about the Good Shepherd, He reminds us what it means to follow Him:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

John 10:27-28

There are seasons when my relationship with Jesus looks a lot like my relationship with Jetta. Regardless of what was happening, Jetta remained faithful. Even in the final moments of her life, she wanted to be close to me. With a soft whimper, her eyes remained fixed on mine.

That is how I want to finish my race.

I want my eyes fixed on Jesus. I want to walk with Him, following Him, and simply being with Him to become life’s greatest priority.

But if I’m honest, there are many days when I’m more like Mabel. I may come when Jesus calls. I may have a good attitude. I may complain less. I may obey—but only after wrestling with my own plans first.

Yet the good news is this: Jesus never stops pursuing me.

Just as Mabel continues to seek me out at the end of the day, Jesus never gives up on me. Through the good days and the difficult ones, I am humbled by the realization that I have a Savior who remains faithful even when I am not. He is always present, always calling, always loving, and always inviting me to come closer.

Jetta and Mabel are, after all, only animals. But the lessons they have taught me have challenged me to become more faithful.

At the end of the day, Mabel will climb onto my lap, begin to purr, and somehow calm my anxious heart. In those moments, all of her stubbornness seems to disappear.

Our relationship with Jesus should have the same effect on us—not because He changes, but because we do.

The closer we draw to Him, the more we experience His forgiveness, His abundant redemption, His peace, and His transforming grace. We begin to desire faithfulness regardless of what is happening around us.

Every day our world is filled with voices competing for our attention.

But above them all, I still long to hear the voice of my Good Shepherd…the voice of my Savior…the voice of my Jesus saying,

“Come, follow Me.”

That is where walking with Jesus begins.

That is where forgiveness is found.

That is where redemption becomes reality.

That is where new life begins.

But for any of that to happen, we must first be willing to say, “Yes, Lord.”