Well, as a Catholic, I knew. However, as a public school Catholic, it was tricky enough to just remember the equally real existence of one’s Guardian angel for life (whose name we probably don’t/won’t know here), so I didn’t know much about any of the other angels until I got a dog. But first…
Today is the feast day of the Archangels, mostly acknowledging Michael (protector), Gabriel (announcer), and Raphael (healer). Many religions also acknowledge Uriel (light/fire). Some other descriptors: Michael – Soldier; Gabriel – Mailman; Raphael – Doctor; Uriel – Electrician.
Many years ago, we searched for a dog mostly for our young girls, but I also wanted to cover my husband with a size-y and unfrilly dog (so to speak). His last dog had been a Lab.
I particularly wanted a spaniel of some sort (manageable by lightweights, or, me). I had already read up on the breeds and began looking at English Springer spaniels. It turns out that when you do that, you FIND them! (Same with Angels, apparently!)
We bought JJ soon after visiting. He was born and raised with 8 siblings in a tiny motor home with a tiny yard. This litter was not expected; they were going to retire the mom from breeding, but, oops! All 9 puppies weren’t being adopted any time soon.
The family line included “CJ’s Kaboom” so it was explosion-oriented (due to speed, lol) and thus, a similarly chosen AKC name was expected from me. The “J” was important to keep, too, in this line.
Unofficially, he was “JJ” which was short for “Jessie, Jr.” Original Jessie was his grandmother (also on site), and she was a tank. JJ was going to be big, too, but he got the name for her mostly liver color. The human dad was particularly crushed to be losing JJ.. Human dad was huge himself, and picked up his JJ one last time and body-hugged him g’bye. He held him so long, yes, I teared up, TOO.
There had been a great spiritual healing in my life just prior to this, and somehow I had remembered that Raphael means “God has healed.” Thus, I knew Raphael would be in JJ’s AKC name somehow, and it didn’t take long to realize just how fast JJ was — like a thunder-break… indeed, fast like an archangel’s expedited healing of one, too, maybe. 😉
Hence, I read up on Raphael again, and nodded decisively:
“Raphael’s Thunderbreak JJ” is on his paperwork.
As it turns out, there are many acknowledged arch/angels in all major religions! Added to the big three (/four, /seven) are Surael, Sedakiel, Sarathael and Ananael. In parts of other churches, Barachiel and Jeremiel are added.
If you go down that angel trail, you will also find Raguel, Remiel, Saraqael, Salathiel, Jehudiel, Jophiel… And more!
.
.
❤️
.
.
Under the mask.. 