Here is a true story for those of you who believe in miracles whether they are large or small. This telling is of one such that touches the heart of pet lovers.

Last spring, Don’s brother-in-law, Herbert Wengel, who lived in Port Orchard, passed away. He was a retired Navy Chief. In the Wengel household lived his wife Virginia, daughter Carol and a beautiful Golden Retriever named Chief. Chief had a big part in their close family life.

With Herbert’s passing, Virginia and Carol had been left with a sad decision to make since one of them was still working, and the other in college. Knowing how lonely it would be for the dog with his master gone, they prayed fervently with tears on what would be best for his future.

It was finally decided the answer was to find him a new stay at home family, for companionship. Carefully wording and placing ads in the newspapers they found one person who passed the interview quite well and took him to her home.

In a few days Virginia received a call from the present owner saying the landlord had informed her there was a rule against having a dog, which she had been unaware of. Chief returned home for a time while a new owner was sought.

Going through the process once more, praying all the while, a phone call came from a couple asking for more information and an appointment to visit with Chief.

Now here is the odd little miracle. When they met with Chief, he took to his prospective owners right away as they seemed familiar to him in some manner. It turned out their names were Bud and Virginia. Here’s the kicker, Herbert’s nickname was also Bud, and that is what he was always known as. Can you imagine the surprise when finding out the couple had the same names Chief knew so well? Acceptance on both sides was not a problem. Chief is now a happy camper in much the same life of care and love he had before with his original family.

Now tell me there was not something more than coincidence behind this true tale, and I’ll ask you to think about it a little more. Were the ladies’ prayers answered or was it coincidence? I only know what I believe.

Looking back how many times have we had the feeling something bad is going to happen? As youngsters our mothers were known to say, “No I really don’t think you should do that.” and sure enough you were in trouble, or hurt. Moms develop almost magical intuitions where their kids are concerned. Some other folks are even more attuned to these feelings than others. People dream of coming events and they happen, while others never have a clue.

Members of my own Kingston family have certain sensitivities, or abilities to see a little further ahead than the rest of us. One member told me months before, that she had dreamed of an auto accident in ice and snow on the Hansville Road, with me in the car. The dream was so real she couldn’t shake it.

In Decembers 2007 it happened as she predicted in the same spot. Had she not had that former warning and turned the wheel into the bank, we would have been in a head on collision and I might not be writing this column today. Was the dream a coincidence, a warning, or a miracle?

You tell me.