Jack's Book of Blessings

Purchase your own copy the 2nd edition of this beloved book: https://www.amazon.com/Jacks-Book-Blessings-Celtic-Scottie/dp/B0DP9RNN52

"Everybody knows that dogs are especially good at blessing others as well as asking others to bless them."
-Roberta Bondi, “Introduction”

Jack the Scottie tells you about his day with poems for every activity from breakfast to going to sleep. Jack’s blessings lead us through each moment of the day: the walk, the leash, the treats, the lap, the dog park (and even the not-so-enjoyable bath). This second edition of Jack's book features new blessings by Jack and his rambunctious successor, JJ Shannon McGreggor. The original drawings of Jack and JJ are drawn by companion and co-author of the book, Beth A. Richardson.

Jack’s poems follow the classic Celtic form of prayer — “Bless to Me” — found in the stories and writings of the Scottish highlands.

“Bless to me this bowl
Where my breakfast and supper
Appear each day.”
-Jack

The introduction of this special book is written by dog lover, Dr. Roberta C. Bondi, professor emerita of church history and spirituality, Candler School of Theology, and lover of dogs.


About the Authors

Beth A. Richardson, is a writer, photographer, editor, cartoonist, and lover of dogs. She is the author of a companion book to Jack’s Book of Blessings called Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings published by The Upper Room, Nashville, TN.

Jack, a Scottish Terrier, was born in Indiana and lived with Beth and her family in Nashville, Tennessee. Jack the Scottie was a “real dog,” despite the cartoons included herein. (Cartoon Jack was much more cooperative than “real Jack.”) Jack passed away suddenly in October of 2018. He lives on in the hearts of many. In 2020, JJ Shannon McGreggor came to live with Beth's family. Where as Jack was a mystic, JJ enters life as a warrior. Getting him to sit, stay, and write blessings has been quite the difficult task. But he is happy to appear in this volume.