In honor of National Dog Day, we’re sharing a heartfelt story about the special bond we share with our pets—and the comfort they bring in life’s hardest moments. Steve Wohlberg, a husband, father, author, and speaker, grew up in Hollywood with a deep love for animals. From Great Danes to turtles to a dog named Jax, animals have always been part of his story. After a painful loss, Steve began to explore what that bond really means—and how it can point to something bigger than ourselves.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Dr. Sy Garte, a retired research biochemist who spent much of his life convinced that science held all the answers. Raised in an atheist household, Sy’s early perspective left little space for questions of faith or meaning beyond the material world. But as his life unfolded, experiences both personal and professional began to challenge that view and a growing curiosity led him to reconsider what he believed about life, purpose, and truth.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Michael and Zina Goodin

Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on UPTV

 

Steve Wohlberg

National Dog Day

Matthew 26:36-46 NIV

White Horse Media

Genesis 2:9-19 NIV

Exodus 20:11 NIV

Proverbs 12:10 NIV

book of Jonah 

Matthew 10:29 NIV

Will My Pet Go to Heaven?

*The first ten people who call Steve’s office at White Horse Media will receive a free copy of either “Will My Pet Go to Heaven?” or “Approaching Armageddon.” Call 800-782-4253 for your copy today! 

 

Dr. Sy Garte

National Institutes of Health

Scientism

American Scientific Affiliation

 

Interview Quotes:

“I think the reason why people grieve so greatly over the loss of a pet is because God our Creator is the author of the bond between people and animals. I really believe that God ministers to people through animals.” - Steve Wohlberg

“When people are hurting, when they need a touch of love, animals can be a big part of God revealing to us that He cares about us.” - Steve Wohlberg

“The last thing [my dog Pooka] did was look full view into the eyes of her master. I thought, That’s the way we need to be with Jesus. When we get into tough times or if we’re about to die, we fix our faith on Him because He loves us and He wants us to have such a relationship with Him.” - Steve Wohlberg

“God can use tragedy, and He can bring good things out of it. It really makes me look forward to heaven and to the new earth where we’ll be with not only Jesus but with friendly animals.” - Steve Wohlberg  

“There are millions of things that we know to be true that we know not through science. Science can only address a certain number of things because the scientific method is not able to ask and answer questions on things like, Why do I love this or that person? Why am I the way I am?” - Dr. Sy Garte

“If you think that God doesn’t love you, you’re wrong, because I know He loves you, because He loves even me. And if He could love me, how could He not love you?” - Dr. Sy Garte

“Belief in Jesus Christ, belief in biblical reality, and everything in science are not in conflict, but in fact, completely compatible. I think that if you ask the right questions about all of this—where did this purpose come from, where did this cognition come from, why is life this way—there’s no scientific answer that relates to physics or chemistry, just as there’s no scientific answers to how life began that relates the physics and chemistry.” - Dr. Sy Garte

“We have to be quiet if we want to hear the voice of God. You don’t know what form it’s going to take. It could be somebody smiling at you. It could be anything. But pay attention and you will hear it.” - Dr. Sy Garte 

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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

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