Psalm of a Pet Parent
March 12, 2026
Elaine Kelly
The 23rd Psalm is a favourite for many of us, and yet its very familiarity can diminish some of the beauty held in the promise of this psalm. I imagine that as a good shepherd, Jesus walks beside me as a companion, guide, and caregiver. But unlike David, I have never worked as a shepherd. I don’t have first-hand knowledge of the life of a shepherd, or what it is like to be a good shepherd.
But I know what it’s like to have a dog, and to be a good pet parent, caregiver, or owner. I love the little fellow, look after him, train him and lead him where he needs to go. It can be very meaningful to move biblical imagery into relatable language, to think of a good shepherd as a good pet parent. If you imagine it with me, I hope it will allow you to realize how the Lord loves us, looks after us, and leads us, in the same way that we love and care for our pets.
Psalm of a Pet Parent
I am my dog’s caregiver.
He wants for nothing.
I let him rest on sunny blankets and on my warm lap.
And I lead him to fresh drinking water.
I give him food for strength, a coat for warmth, and toys for happiness.
I train him for impulse control and reward him for good behaviour.
When I move from the kitchen to the office or the office to the living room, he follows me.
I lead him on the right paths and rescue his paw when it gets caught.
When we go beside new people or big dogs, he quivers, and I scoop him up.
When he is riding in my front pack, he is not afraid.
He fears no evil because I am with him.
My arms protect him. My whispers comfort him.
I prepare a banquet of healthy food.
I groom his hair with oil and brushes.
I teach him to trust others to aid in his care.
His heart overflows with happiness.
He cannot contain his joy when he jumps to see me!
He trusts me.
Goodness, mercy, and love I have promised him,
And my house will be his home as long as he lives.
Elaine Kelly
Elaine Ricker Kelly is an award-winning author bringing healing and hope to those who feel silenced by patriarchal attitudes or sidelined by the church. As a mother of three daughters, Elaine knew the harm of being considered secondary. She writes fiction set in Bible times to shine the light on how Jesus equipped women as disciples and empowered women to speak and lead. Her From Broken to Bold fiction trilogy includes Forgotten Followers, Because She Was Called, and Finding Her Voice.
Her research-based approach and empathetic tone were developed during thirty years as a financial advisor. Kelly also writes articles and non-fiction books about the Bible and church history from a Christian feminist and LGBTQ+ affirming view. She and her husband have three grown daughters and live near Hamilton, Ontario. She and her husband enjoy hiking, walking their dog, playing tennis, pickleball, and music.
Contact Information:
Website: elainekelly.ca
Instagram: @elaine_kelly_author
Facebook: elainekellyauthor
YouTube: youtube.com/c/ERK4Canada/playlists
TikTok: tiktok.com/@elaine.kelly.author
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