Back in the 1930s, on a sunny little farm in Australia, there lived a very special dog named Starr. Starr was a border collie with fluffy black and white fur. He loved to run and play. Starr’s favorite friend on the farm was the farmer’s young daughter June. Every day, Starr would excitedly wait for June to come home from school so they could play together.
June and Starr were the best of friends. In the mornings before school, Starr walked June down the long dirt road to wait for the school bus. In the afternoons when Starr heard the bus coming back, he would race down the road to meet June and walk her home. Whenever June was sad or bored, Starr knew just how to cheer her up with fun games of catch or letting her watch him do tricks.
One hot, sunny day in the middle of summer vacation, June decided to explore along the creek that bordered the back of the farm. Starr tagged along to keep a watchful eye over his special human friend. June bent down by the creek, balancing on some large rocks to see the little minnows swimming below the crystal clear water. But she leaned too far out and suddenly slipped! Starr saw June fall into the deep, rushing creek water.
Without hesitating even one second, brave Starr leaped right into the creek after June. The current was dangerously strong, but Starr paddled with all his might. He reached June and gently but firmly grabbed hold of the back of her dress with his mouth. Using his powerful doggy paddle stroke, Starr pulled June all the way back to shore and out of the treacherous water.
Starr barked urgently as June lay still on the shore. Thanks to Starr’s quick rescue, June was still alive. She had swallowed a lot of water, however. Worse yet, she was unconscious.
Starr was very smart. He knew he needed to get June’s parents immediately. Taking off like a lightning bolt, Starr barked loudly as he raced back up to the farmhouse. June’s mother and father heard Starr’s frantic barks and rushed down to the creek. There they found poor June, soaking wet and needing help, but safe on dry land thanks to Starr.
June’s parents wrapped her in towels. Quickly they drove to the doctor’s office in town. The doctor was able to clear the water from June’s lungs so she could breathe again. June woke up! It took time, but she got well again. And this all happened because of Starr saving her from drowning and alerting her parents. Everyone called Starr a real life hero!
Starr’s love and protection for June reminds us of the gift of a guardian angels God gives us. In Psalms 91:11, the Bible says “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” God sends each of His children their own special guardian angels! Just like Starr watched over and protected June, whenever we face danger or are in need, our angel guardians are right there keeping an eye on us!
Even if you go through scary or hard times, your angel guardians are always watching over you!
Today’s Action Plan:
- Thank God in prayer for your special guardian angel and the way God redeems problems for good.
- Draw a picture of brave Starr swimming and pulling June from the creek to remind you that angels watch over and protect you.
- Tell a friend or family member the story of Starr the hero dog. Tell them about the guardian angels God gives us!
